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Minnesota farm groups disappointed by House farm bill vote

Minnesota farm groups are expressing frustration after the full House voted down Ag Committee chairman Mike Conaway’s farm bill Friday.

Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish says the committee needs to get right back to work on crafting a bipartisan bill.

“In agriculture we’ve always worked well on a bipartisan basis, and the House bill that was put forward was not done that way.”

Minnesota Pork Producers CEO David Preisler tells Brownfield the outcome is not a surprise.

“We knew there were some controversial parts to the farm bill, specifically in some of the SNAP requirements and also the piece that was discussed with folks from the Freedom Caucus regarding immigration.”

All House Democrats, as well as 30 Republicans led by the Freedom Caucus, voted against the farm bill.

Minnesota State Cattlemens Association executive director Ashley Kohls says farmers need certainty the farm bill can provide.

“Some of our priorities, like the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank, was partially funded through this farm bill.  But also conservation programs that are important to cattlemen like EQUIP, but also the Foreign Ag Marketing Service and all of those types of programs are all very important to our industry.”

Ranking member Collin Peterson said it was unfortunate the path Republicans chose but now both sides must come together “and figure out a bill that works for everyone.”

House speaker Paul Ryan’s motion to reconsider was suspended, and another vote could be coming.

 

Gary Wertish audio:

 

David Preisler audio:

 

Ashley Kohls audio: