South Dakota Farmers Hopeful for New Farm Bill

As South Dakota farmers finally head into their fields for spring planting, the legislative seeds of a new farm bill are starting to take root on Capitol Hill. 

The cold, wet spring has forced many South Dakota farmers to play catch up with their field work.  But Washington politics have been as much a hindrance as the weather when it comes to their prospects for a profitable growing season.

"I feel insured, I hope I am," farmer Tim Burns said.

Burns says they need the financial assurances that a long term farm bill can provide, because there are few certainties in farming.

"Last year, I was very positive and it went the other way, so it just doesn't make any difference what I think now," Burns said.

A farm bill in Congress will likely include fewer direct payments to farmers, but more crop insurance coverage. The House agriculture committee took up the farm bill Wednesday, after the Senate Ag Committee passed its version on Tuesday. That's a welcomed provision to farmers who've dealt with extremes of flooding followed by drought.

"Get by to the next year on that, that's what insurance is for," Burns said.

Senator John Thune thinks a farm bill can pass Congress by summer's end.

"We need to get one that's responsible, that's reform-oriented, that serves taxpayers' dollars and that really provides an appropriate safety net for our agricultural producers," Thune said.

Farmers feeling under the gun say the emergence of a farm bill ahead of the fall harvest would be perfect timing during crunch times.

"We thought it was done a long time ago didn't we? So, I don't know, when they get it done, they'll get it done," Burns said.

Thune voted against the senate's version of the farm bill saying it contains high target prices for southern farmers raising crops like rice and peanuts.
    
Congresswoman Kristi Noem, who's on the House agriculture committee, said Wednesday:

South Dakota agriculture producers deserve the long-term certainty that comes with the passage of a five year Farm Bill.

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