Farm bill optimism fading

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is meeting again by teleconference at 11 a.m. Eastern time and no doubt will hear the latest on the status of Senate work toward proceeding with the farm bill debate. However, a quick survey of the agricultural trade press this morning reveals pessimism that a deal can get done this year.


From the Cattlenetwork.com this morning:

Although a few members of congress still express hope that the bill will be passed before the end of the year, a show of hands among the pundits, seers and political wonks says it won’t happen. The betting line is a new bill won’t pass until at least the first quarter of 2008. Failing that, you can cross it off the agenda until after the November election.


TK: Congress has been getting lower marks in public opinion surveys than President Bush, and that's saying something. The Senate can count on the fact that rural America and much of agriculture will be none too pleased if they fail to pass a new farm bill in 2007.