Illinois Farmer Testifies Before the House Agriculture Committee

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. | American Soybean Association (ASA) President and Illinois farmer Daryl Cates, testified before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit, where he provided the perspectives of soybean producers on the upcoming Farm Bill.

Cates addressed the need for mitigating farmers’ risks both in the field and beyond, and asked for help with two priorities in the subcommittee’s jurisdiction:

1. Protecting crop insurance

2. Improving the Title I farm safety net for soybeans

“Georgia Congressman Austin Scott, the ranking chairman of the subcommittee, expressed his understanding for the need to protect crop insurance and improve the Title I safety net. However, he said there’s a limited amount of money for the Farm Bill, but they will do what they can and understand that improvements to the 2023 Farm Bill are needed,” said Cates.

Cates cited crop insurance as “the most effective and important component of the farm safety net for soybean farmers,” and noted how crop insurance helps farmers manage risk while also securing operating credit from their lenders. Crop insurance ensures protection of crops while they are in the ground and is one that ASA has asked to remain unscathed by amendments.

Cates asked to improve the Title I farm safety net to help it better align with the needs of American farmers, and said a predictable, effective farm safety net is a must in the 2023 Farm Bill.

For the Illinois Soybean Association’s 2023 Farm Bill priorities, go to https://www.ilsoy.org/focus-areas/government-relations/farmbill2023/.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and government relations efforts, while the membership program, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the Illinois Soybean Growers PAC actively advocates for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at local, state and national levels. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure their profitability now and for future generations.