FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2018

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
ajerome@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate’s proposed two-year budget deal contains important improvements for cotton growers and dairy producers, a vital first step to assistance for struggling farmers in both industries.

The legislation brings eligible cotton acres back into Title I of the Farm Bill—National Farmers Union (NFU) has long supported cotton as a covered commodity under Title I.  Dairy provisions include the removal of the livestock cap currently limiting producers’ participation in the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) Program and improvements to the Margin Protection Program (MPP).

NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the inclusion of these provisions:

“Champions of cotton and dairy farmers need to be recognized for the significant amount of work carried out to ensure these farmers were not left behind. After years of falling prices, these provisions will not make our members whole, but this will help stabilize the ground underneath their feet so that they can continue to carry on. We urge Congress to maintain these provisions through final passage.

“Looking ahead to the Farm Bill, there is still much to be done. Farmers of all operation types have had to deal with a major economic downturn over the past five years.  We must not only continue to improve programs for dairy and cotton, but the broader farm economy.  Today’s deal makes this goal more attainable through the expansion of Farm Bill baseline.”

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National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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