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As the August recess begins, it’s once again difficult to see where a compromise can be found between the House and the Senate that would provide the needed Farm Bill legislation prior to September 30, when the current extension expires.

Some progress has been reported with the Senate leadership of both parties’ naming conferees to reconcile the differences in legislation approved by both bodies. Ranking member of the Conference Committee, Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) was pleased with the leadership’s appointing conferees prior to the August recess and believes it sets the stage for finalizing a 2013 farm bill but added that reconciling the differences will be a challenge.

Senate Ag Committee Chair, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) sounded a less hopeful tone saying, “We cannot have a serious discussion until we have the full parameters in front of us.” Referring to the House passed version, which removes food stamps from the bill. Stabenow said, “I believe this is an effort to stop a Farm Bill from being passed and everyone who cares about agriculture in the House of Representatives needs to stand up and indicate they are tired of this.”

The plan currently being pushed by House leadership would, outside of the Farm Bill, cut $40 billion from the food stamp program. House majority leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said that a vote on the deeper food stamp cuts would take place before meeting with senators to iron out the differences between the House and Senate farm bills.

In a conference call with reporters, Sen. Stabenow blasted the deeper cuts and what she called roadblocks to getting a farm bill passed before programs expire in September. “It makes no sense to continue to see political gamesmanship that is going on that is blocking us from getting a farm bill,” Stabenow said, specifically mentioning Cantor.

Senator Stabenow is not alone in her pessimistic outlook. House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, (D-MI) said, “There they go again. Apparently, the Republican leadership plans to bring up yet another political messaging bill to nowhere in an effort to try and placate the extreme right wing of their party. Clearly they have no interest in compromise or actual legislating. Adding an additional $20 billion in nutrition cuts, on top of the poison pill nutrition amendments that brought down the Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan farm bill in June, effectively kills any hopes of passing a five-year farm bill this year.”

Peterson added, “I’ve repeatedly told these guys, we don’t have to do this. If the House would just name conferees, members can conference the House “farm only” bill with the Senate’s Farm Bill during August and produce a compromise for both Houses to pass. The House Majority has clearly shown they have no interest in getting a farm bill done. The American people should be outraged.”

When things get this complicated regarding farm policy it’s time to turn to an expert we have come to rely on. One who has provided sound advice to both parties over the years, one who can provide our members with a clear understanding of what outcomes are likely, and what it will to mean to manufacturers of shortline farm equipment.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh will be our Keynote Speaker for the Indianapolis Fall Convention this October. Regardless of the Farm Bill’s status, Flinchbaugh will apply his vast knowledge and experience in agriculture, economics, and politics to create a straightforward and entertaining blend of these three topics.

His blunt technique and approach will not only be informative, it will be a refreshing break from the games both sides are currently playing with our national ag policy.