Finger pointing and little else

Tara Smith of the American Farm Bureau reports little or no progress with farm bill talks. "We have this $10 billion number floating out there, with no list of how (Congress) will pay for it and questions about jurisdiction," she said. Smith also said the lawmakers haven't divided up the money up between the farm bill titles. So, more waiting and watching - and a possible short term extension until April 18. Smith said she doesn't believe the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are seriously considering the White House "requirement" that the f/v planting restrictions on program crop acreage be removed from the farm bill. Farm Bureau continues to maintain that any farm bill outcome should fall within the parameters of the farm bills passed by the House and the Senate.