2008 Year in Review

ISA Satisfied 2008 Farm Bill Includes Many Grower Priorities

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is satisfied the “Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008” addresses many soybean grower priorities the association sought during legislative discussions. The new farm bill passed both Houses of Congress earlier this week, although a veto by President Bush next week is possible.

"We are pleased that the new farm bill addresses some of our top issues, including increasing the soybean target price to $6.00 per bushel and authorizing a new Quality Incentive Program to promote production of soybeans with high-stability oil that can replace trans fats in food products,” says David Hartke, ISA chairman and grower from Teutopolis. “We thank Congress for hammering out the agreement.”

The new plan also includes an extension of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Bioenergy Program, which provides support to biodiesel and other advanced biofuels producers. The goal is to make domestically-produced biodiesel and other advanced biofuels competitive with petroleum and foreign biofuel imports.

“Reauthorization of the CCC Bioenergy Program will allow all gallons of biodiesel production to qualify for the program, which is a significant victory for the biodiesel industry, and will help biodiesel producers be more competitive,” says Hartke. “The Biodiesel Education Program was reauthorized as well to provide funding for increased fuel quality measures support and increased acceptance of biodiesel by engine and equipment manufacturers, petroleum partners, users and the general public.”

Other farm bill provisions include reducing the number of acres of productive farmland currently idled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) by lowering the CRP enrollment cap to 32 million acres. ISA leaders are hopeful the move will allow land to return to production to help meet increasing global demand for food, feed and fuel.

The farm bill is expected to reach the White House by Tuesday. President Bush has stated he intends to veto the bill when it reaches his desk. However, the House vote of 318-106 and the Senate vote of 81-15 provide more than enough votes for the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress is expected to hold override votes before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess, May 30.

“We were actively involved in organizing support for the new farm bill, and will continue to encourage a Congressional override of any Presidential veto,” says Hartke. “We greatly appreciate the support of our Congressional delegation, who nearly all voted in favor of this bill.”

ISA is the statewide organization for Illinois soybean farmers. The farmers on its board administer soybean checkoff funds to support research, promotions and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and administer legislation and membership programs. Contact ISA at 309-662-3373, or visit ISA.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
May 27, 2008