Sugar Producer

4 Sugar Producer OCTOBER 2018 • Forced-air ventilation will lower respiration, inhibit decay and lead to higher sugar recovery. • Uniform air flow through pile • Computer controlled 517-322-0250 www.techmark-inc.com Ventilation Systems for Beet Storage 1973-16Techmark12h.indd 1 7/12/18 8:56 AM FROM THE ASGA By Luther Markwart | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT The Long Road FARM BILL When the House and Senate passed their respective versions of the farm bill this summer, there were a multitude of differences between them; some were small, and a few were big. Both bills have been placed side by side, and the differences have to be reconciled so that one "conference report" emerges that is then voted on by both houses. The conference report cannot be amended. If there is a provision that proves too controversial and unacceptable, it can be sent back to the conference committee by either the House or Senate with instructions to modify the unacceptable element of the bill. This seldom happens but is always a possibility. House and Senate agriculture committee staff, under the watchful eye of the chairmen and ranking members, worked very long days, nights and weekends to resolve the small differences and tee up the big differences (like the House work requirements in the SNAP provisions) for the members to deal with when they returned from the August recess. During the conference report negotiations, provisions of the bills are changed or dropped, or new provisions added, to finalize the bill. The point is that we must remain vigilant to the very end and be ready to work with the agriculture committees if and when they Waiting for our labors to bear fruit in Washington need our input. A farm bill is not finished until the conference report is passed by both Houses and signed by the president. Nothing is certain until that happens. One Congress had to override two vetoes by George W. Bush. Given the economic stress in farm country and a desire to show rural America that Congress can deliver a farm bill before it expires on Sept. 30, there has been a great deal of effort by ag committee leaders to complete the bill to meet that deadline. Members know that farmers will need to arrange financing in 2018 for the 2019 crop, and they and their bankers need the assurances and details of a final farm bill.

• Cover