Pulaski Times

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, called for Congress and the administration to provide a “timely and urgent response” to the looming farm crisis in the form of emergency assistance to farmers and urged efforts to pass a farm bill before the end of the calendar year in a speech on the Senate floor.

On emergency assistance, Boozman said, “Farmers across the country need a bridge to help their family farms survive into next year. We’ve seen previous ad-hoc assistance programs established in a period of weeks, as demonstrated by then Secretary [Sonny] Perdue when the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions for producers. That level of timely and urgent response by Congress and the administration is once again warranted.”

Boozman then addressed the stalled farm bill talks.

“The next farm bill is the appropriate place to make the necessary long-term corrections to our farm safety net, but farmers need timely support addressing 2024 losses as they enter the winter months when they make planting decisions and secure financing for the upcoming crop year,” Boozman said. “We must redouble our efforts to pass a farm bill before the end of the calendar year that meets this moment – one that provides the support our farmers desperately need to stay in business. I am committed to sitting down with my counterparts for as long as it takes to hash out a deal that our members can support.”

The following are Boozman’s remarks as prepared:

Mr. President,

Last week hundreds of farmers and ranchers from all regions of our country, representing operations of all sizes and all major crops, traveled to Capitol Hill to encourage us to pass a strong farmer-focused farm bill before the end of this year.

I met with many of these individuals, and I am grateful they took time away from their families and their farms and ranches to tell us what was at stake if Congress fails to pass a farm bill this year.

For these farmers, this trip came with the additional stress of being away from their farm at the height of harvest season.

Their visits clearly articulated the anxiety gripping farm country at this crucial moment.

For months now, farmers, ranchers, organizations representing them, and agricultural banking sectors have warned of an impending crisis in farm county.

Producers are struggling in an environment where costs for farm inputs have ballooned from inflation, interest rates have doubled, and market prices are far below production costs.

Coupled with consecutive years of losses, financial stress borne particularly by row crop farmers is now being revealed.

The reality is there will be fewer farmers in 2025 if Congress does not respond.

Many farmers will struggle to secure operating loans for next year—a devastating realization.

The outdated farm safety net they operate under does nothing to address these realities.

That is why two immediate actions are needed: First, providing emergency assistance addressing economic losses associated with the 2024 crop. Even with record yields, farmers are not breaking even. This crisis cannot be solved through production alone; emergency assistance is necessary.

In southern states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, many producers have harvested their 2024 crop only to lose hundreds per acre. This experience is spreading into Midwest and northern states as harvest begins there too.

Such losses mean producers cannot pay bills or secure operating loans for next year's crop—this impacts rural businesses and communities profoundly.

Emergency assistance does not negate meaningful investments needed in commodity and crop insurance titles within future legislation but highlights how inadequate current measures are.

Secondly: Efforts must be redoubled towards passing an effective new Farm Bill before year's end ensuring vital support reaches those who keep America’s agriculture viable amid growing crises daily feared unnoticed by lawmakers intent otherwise assuredly empathetic towards ensuring continuous food fuel fiber supply worldwide ultimately responsive alarm repeatedly raised amongst Senate Ag Committee Republicans aware continually vigilant concerning critical matters requiring urgent attention legislative action accordingly promptly

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