Corn Growers Push for New Farm Bill Before September 30 Deadline

As the current Farm Bill approaches its September 30 expiration date, corn growers are feeling the pressure to get lawmakers moving on a new five-year bill. Matt Frostic, First Vice President of the National Corn Growers Association, says producers can't afford another year of financial uncertainty. 'We can't take another year from a financial standpoint,' he said.

Frostic and other agricultural leaders are heading back to Capitol Hill with a blunt message for lawmakers: action is needed now. They're urging farmers to make their voices heard by contacting their senators, saying that even one or two comments can make a difference. 'When 50 people call or email or send a note to me or a text, I know it's important,' Frostic said.

One of the biggest opportunities in the Senate's Farm Bill proposal is permanent year-round E15, which could provide a rare win for both consumers and farmers. With fuel prices elevated, expanding access to the higher-ethanol blend makes sense from an economic standpoint. 'The good news is that right now, because of high fuel prices, there's a lot of retailers selling this product for 90 cents less than the average 87 product,' Frostic said.

The pressure on farmers comes at a particularly difficult time, with input costs and commodity prices already squeezing margins. 'This isn't simply another Washington debate over legislation,' Frostic said. 'It is about the farm safety net, markets, energy policy, and the economic conditions producers will face during the next five years.'