Parrott: We Need A Farm Bill

With the expiration of the Farm Bill extension at the end of September, many in the agriculture community have called on Congress to act.  Samantha Parrott, Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association, says the sugar industry is a Title One commodity, they are somewhat insulated from the uncertainty of a lack of a Farm Bill.

“So the sugar policy is within the farm bill and that does provide stability for our growers.  And then that also provides stability for our consumers.  You can always count on sugar to be on the shelf and to be super affordable.  So, we're really lucky that beets are a stable crop.”

Parrott noted that a bigger impact on sugarbeet growers right now is inflation and what it has done to input costs.  But, with that being said, she acknowledged that agriculture community needs a new Farm Bill.  She stressed Congress needs to strengthen the industry’s safety net.

“I'm worried about how many farmers can hang on, you know, like you mentioned, just given all the low prices of commodities right now that they're up against," Parrott said.  "Thankfully, sugar in 2024, the price has been pretty high. I do see that price softening into 2025 though, so it's just something that we're watching closely.”

Many in the farming community are hopeful that a Farm Bill can be addressed during the lame duck session after the November Election.

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