b'previous legislation that weve seen that cover crops are going to be a focus ofGOALS FROM FARM BILLS PASTsome members of Congress as theyre drafting the farm bill, so we want toIn 2018, there were a few noted additions into the make sure we have our positions estab- farm bill to take note of:lished for what government programs might look like.Language from the 2014 Farm Bill ensuring The key factor for any new program ishybrid seed producers were eligible for commodity transparency, Brady says. programs.It is important that legislation pro-Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage vides transparency and certainty for stakeholders, so that industries like theJanae Brady.was increased by 3 million acresup to 27 million seed industry are able to meet the needsacreswith payments capped at 85% of local of new or revised programs, she says.Because of that, whether a farm billrental rates for general signup acreage and 90% for Agricultural research continues to be awill be passed in 2023 is still up in the air.land enrolled through continuous signup.top priority for ASTA and the seed indus- Not only that, but theres the concern of try, where theyre pushing for continuedNovember midterms as well.A pilot program called the Soil Health and Income support and investment for the numberNovember midterms are going toProtection Program was initiated to allow farmers to of research, education, and extensionhave a major impact on the answer totake land out of protection under shorter contracts authorities in the title. that question, Brady says. If theres athan currently allowed by CRP.The final major decision thats waiting toshift in either the House or the Senate or be determined, though, is what the fundingboth, thats going to impact where pri-Increased funding for the Environmental Quality situation will look like. With 2014s Farmorities are and how quickly were able toIncentives Program to reach $2.025 billion by 2023.Bill being a deficit reduction bill and 2018move things forward. Its always possible The Market Access Program, Foreign Market being a budget neutral bill, theres still ato get things done on timebut possible question on what the funding will look like. and likely are two different things. Development Program, Technical Assistance for There were previous efforts with BuildBrady says if timeliness was the keySpecialty Crops program and Emerging Markets Back Better to try and add additionalfor this farm bill, there would probably beProgram were consolidated into one program called investment into the package. There arefewer changesinstead, youd see smallthe Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation still some conversations about whether ittweaks here or there and straight exten- Program.will be possible to increase funding, but atsions. Though, even that can be politically this point it is expected that this bill will bechallenging.In comparison, this year seems to be projected a budget neutral bill, Brady says. The important factor to keep in mindto focus heavily on the conservation side with From here, ASTAs figuring out whatthough: every farm bill process is unique,a renewed push for sustainability, but research details to focus down on. and some can take longer than others.continues to be a big focus for ASTA. farm bills are a comprehensive piece of Will a Farm Bill Happen in 2023? legislation that are only considered every This farm bill might look different thanfive years.normal, Brady says. Thinking outsideThe farm bill is so critically important of the seed industrythe last farm billto our industry, our producers and our passed in 2018, before there was ancountry, Brady says. Theres a lot of inkling of what COVID-19 was, beforeoptimism to be had that folks will be able the invasion of Ukraine and before majorto come together. Theres a lot of work toWHERE supply chain issues.dobut the legislation is really a criticalON THEWant to catch up on the previous Farm Bill? Thats going to be a major factorpart of our food system in the U.S. andWEB Visit: seedworld.com/farm-bill-breakdown.going into this farm bill, Brady says.around the world.SWJUNE 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /7'