Crop Insurance is Backbone of Farm Bill

Farmers told a U.S. House Agriculture Committee that crop insurance has to be the backbone of the next farm bill.

Ten farmers from the Midwest testified during a committee hearing Friday in Dodge City. Most said a viable crop insurance program is vital to the agriculture’s future.

It was the committee’s final field hearing before it returns to Washington D.C. The current farm bill expires Sept. 30.

Keith Miller, who grows several commodities and has cattle in Barton County, said he wouldn’t be farming today without crop insurance – especially after last year’s drought nearly wiped out his crops.

Farmers at the meeting also discussed continuation of an energy title, a strengthened conservation title, and more emphasis on research.