American Soybean Association sets 2017 policy positions

by | Mar 10, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

The American Soybean Association recently set its policy positions for 2017.

ASA members established a list of priorities at the Commodity Classic in San Antonio two weeks ago.

Morey Hill is an ASA member and a member of the Iowa Soybean Association. One topic Iowa growers are concerned about is Conservation programs.

?In Iowa, with our competitive landlord renter structure, CRP always gets a lot of discussing because it takes ground out of production and as we try to grow the next generation of farmers that can be very prohibitive when trying to get a new generation to start farming.?

The list includes a strong farm safety net, increased funding for ag export programs, ambitious global trade negotiations.

?American farmers are good about growing stuff and we have this supply out there that needs to have a home. Trade is super important that we have to have a place to sell our goods. With the new administration, it is kind of a wild card right now so right now we are trying to focus on the importance of keeping those pipelines and trade partners in line so we have a place for our products.?

The just-beginning debate on the new Farm Bill was the subject of several new resolutions this year. Many of the resolutions focused on improving the risk management programs in Title 1 of the legislation. ASA wants a stronger farm safety net, which is necessary to offset lower commodity prices and the resulting drop in farm incomes. The soybean organization also wants to double funding for the Foreign Market Development Program as well as the Market Access Program.

ASA will also support increasing the acreage cap for the Conservation Reserve Program. They also expressed strong support for keeping the Farm Bill together with the nutrition program. Delegates also supported several tax-related resolutions, including the renewal of the biodiesel tax credit and a restructuring of the credit to promote domestic production