continued on page 22 workforce has also been a concern for many ASA members. In May 2022, ASA was the first agricultural group to share its initial 2023 FarmBill priorities with members of Congress in an effort to help shape the new legislation. ASA's first ask for the new Farm Bill is for increased budget authority. Harrison says that given the current economic and geopolitical volatility environment, ASA feels this request is justified. Additional resources are needed to address agriculture's needs and interests in this comprehensive piece of legislation. ASA's Farm Bill priority areas include farm safety net, conservation, trade, energy, rural development, research, and nutrition. They are also advocating for Congress to maintain the agricultural and nutrition titles (category areas of the bill), a review of the United States Department of Agriculture staffing, technological capabilities and cybersecurity, and knowledge transfer to ensure preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill implementation. Harrison says trade and international markets are always a big deal for U.S. soybeans. With the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in place, ASA has had an eye on implementation and continues to urge engagement in new free trade agreements. He also notes the importance of infrastructure and keeping roads, waterways, and rail updated and maintained, noting that moving soybeans to and from markets is key to its global competitiveness. As an organization, ASA leaders are closely monitoring supply chain issues and sufficient support, affordable input supplies, and a steady workforce to enhance food security. On the biotechnology and crop protection side, supporting science and risk-based regulations and continued access to farm production tools that farmers need is another ongoing concern. And just like Canadian farmers, conservation and sustainability are a priority, too: ASA continues to advocate for voluntary, incentive-based policies that support sustainability goals that aremeaningful, realistic, and achievable for farmers. NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION Tom Haag, a Minnesota corn and soybean grower, was elected president of NCGA in October 2022. He says the coming year is shaping up to be a big one for American corn farmers, with the establishment of a new Farm Bill and opportunities for ethanol topping Haag's list. The NCGA, corn state associations, and grower members will continue working closely with policymakers to ensure the bill addresses the needs of corn producers. NCGA's principles for the 2023 Farm Bill include protecting crop insurance, bolstering U.S. international market development efforts, strengthening the producer safety net, supporting voluntary conservation programs, and championing initiatives important to rural America. With crop insurance as the number one priority for NCGA, Haag notes that, while the program is currently working well, it will be important to advocate for an increase in reference pricing. He would also like to see commodity programs like the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage continued and possibly increase the funding to these if funding allows. The coming year also looks promising for U.S. corn farmers thanks to the Next Generation Fuel Act. This legislation could see ethanol blends of up to 30 per cent increase ethanol demand by more than five billion gallons per year and utilize 1.7 billion bushels of additional corn. The higher-octane fuel will reduce greenhouse gas emissions ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 21 DECEMBER 2022 / JANUARY 2023 Like Canadian farmers, conservation and sustainability are a priority, too: ASA continues to advocate for voluntary, incentive-based policies that support sustainability goals. Set to expire in September 2023, the current U.S. Farm Bill is the largest piece of packaged legislation in the U.S. government that funds and governs the nation's food and agricultural system. The current five-year bill, an $867 billion piece of legislation, was signed by President Trump in December 2018. The Farm Bill covers programs ranging from crop insurance and on-farm conservation programs to healthy food access for low-income families. This legislation significantly impacts how farmers manage their farm businesses. Broken down into 12 different titles encompassing broad categories that address different programs, the current Farm Bill includes: • Commodity programs - price income support and disaster assistance • Conservation • Trade - exports and international food assistance programs • Nutritional programs • Credit - government loans, private loan guarantees • Rural development • Research - agricultural research and extension • Forestry - USDA Forestry Service • Energy - renewable energy systems • Horticulture - specialty crop, organic, and hemp production • Crop Insurance • Miscellaneous - supporting livestock and poultry production, beginning farmers, and ranchers 2023 FARM BILL
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