Farm Bill passes out of senate ag committee

JOHNSTON – Earlier today, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Farm Bill out of the committee. In response to this action, Iowa Corn Growers Association President Steve Kuiper released the following statement: 
“Today’s vote by the Senate Agriculture Committee delivers a major victory for farm families who rely on effective risk management and sound agricultural policy. This vote moves us one step closer to getting a finalized bill to the President’s desk and signed into law. Farmers need a win, and we thank the members of the Senate Ag Committee for prioritizing agriculture. We urge the full Senate to take up and pass this vital legislation without delay.” 
This Farm Bill moves E15 closer to the President's desk and doubles funding for Trade Promotion Programs known as MAP and FMD administered through USDA. It also contains provisions initiated by Iowa Corn that would require a study of the fertilizer industry and report back to Congress, examining consolidation by big fertilizer. If signed into law, these provisions would help Iowa farmers by providing transparency on pricing.    
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig  issued the following statement following the bill’s passage.
“The Senate Agriculture Committee has taken a significant and encouraging step toward delivering the modernized Farm Bill that America's farmers need. Every title in this legislation matters to Iowa because it provides greater certainty at a time when farm families are facing a challenging agricultural economy. I am pleased that this package includes permanent, nationwide year-round E15. Thank you to Senators Grassley and Ernst for their strong leadership and support for Iowa agriculture, along with Chairman Boozman for his work to advance this legislation through the committee. Now it's time for the full Senate to act, and then for the House and Senate to come together on a unified Farm Bill that can be sent to the President's desk. Iowa farmers and rural communities have waited long enough.”