Still pushing

I just listened to Agriculture Secretary's Ed Schafer's teleconference this morning and the main message was that the House and Senate should resolve their differences over funding and work with the White House from one negotiating position. Schafer said there continue to be fights in the House and Senate about jurisdiction, funding and control. "Frankly we can't go anywhere unless they come up with a solid effort and say, this is what we stand for," he said. It is clear the Administration doesn't want an extension of the 2002 farm bill. "Most operators fare better with the new farm bill than the current farm bill," he said, mentioning specialty crop growers, nutrition funding and energy provisions. "There are too many things we need to just set it aside."