By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Panel members included (from left) Steve Verett, Plains Cotton Growers Inc.; Matt Brockman, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; Dee Vaughan, Texas Corn Producers; and Wayne Cleveland, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Association. -- Staff photo by Taylor

May 18, 2006 - “If you asked a farmer about a Farm Bill, they can always find something that would make it better,” noted Steve Verett of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., during the Texas Ag Forum held in San Antonio on May 1.

Speaking as a member of a five-member panel discussion group, concerning Farm Bill issues that impact Texas agriculture, Verett said the 2002 Farm Bill “successfully created a balanced appropriation that provided a multi-safety net provision (for ag producers).” 

Verett explained that comments made during the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) “listening” sessions have shown “strong levels of support” for the current bill. He believes the ‘02 Farm Bill will be the foundation for the next Farm Bill, due out in 2007.

While the flexibility of the current bill is noted by some, there are still those against the market loan benefits, and some producers who feel that there's too much difference, according to what crop you plant.

Verett cited that two out of three Texas cotton bales go for international trade, and he said that he “cannot support any program that reacts, differently, to other programs than cotton.” He believes all commodities should be treated, equally.

Dee Vaughn with the Texas Corn Producers noted that the 2002 Farm Bill was popular with farmers, and the support should be extended for that bill, and incorporated into the 2007 Farm Bill as a “safety net.”

Because of market loans, Vaughn said that many corn producers are “moving to cotton.” He explained that there is a “need to maintain flexibility for producers to change crops as needed.” According to Vaughn, growers “need conservation programs to remain competitive with others over the world.”

While America has the most “efficient farms in the world,” Vaughn explained there is still a need to expand bio-fuels and electric rural co-ops.

Wayne Cleveland of the Texas Grain Sorghum Producer Association noted that it is “very important for the agricultural industry to stay on the same page in the same book.”

Cleveland said the “public perception” is that “all producers” get big checks from the government. While this is not true, he did note the cotton programs have a “more generous” program than the grain program.”

Rather than plant what “others” think producers should plant, Cleveland has other ideas. “We have to go back where farmers plant what’s best for their farms.”

Cleveland also expressed concern with disaster programs, lack of water, and forms of energy available for producers. Another concern was the fact that much of the general public feels most of the federal funding for agriculture goes to the wealthiest producers. He feels that is a “distorted” fact.

While three of the panel members represented crop producers, two of the speakers were there to express the needs and desires of the cattle and dairy producers in Texas.

Matt Brockman with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said there “may (be a) need to improve implementation of the Farm Bill programs.”

He noted the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is very important for cattle raisers, and the “Texas model has been very effective.” EQIP can be “an extremely useful tool in working with the clean water act.”

John Cowan, executive director of the Texas Association of Dairymen, explained to the attendees that “safety net provisions and supply and demand are the key” to an effective Farm Bill. He believes the Farm Bill needs to respond “in a timelier manner.”

Cowan noted there needs to be a “level playing field to compete on international trade levels” in agriculture. Another point of interest for Cowan concerns immigration … a timely subject all over the United States … and he believes that workers should get “legal status,” with ag producers not being libel in such cases that involve illegal workers.

Other concerns for Cowan include urban and rural effects on wildlife and watersheds in the areas. Food safety is, also, a major concern for Cowan citing that he believes that other countries should practice the same food safety as the United States, in order to sell to U.S. consumers.