Farm bill conference today

Today's farm bill conference begins at 9:30 a.m. the Hart Senate Building, but don't expect final solutions about money today, just fine tuning of specific features of various titles within the farm bill. Yesterday, it was interesting to watch the USDA's Chuck Conner at the conference committee hearing. At various times, he was shaking his head no, smiling, or leaning over to whisper something to another agency official. Hopes may be dimming for a new farm bill in 2008, based on the fiscal disagreements and body language on display yesterday.