Rosa Highlights Importance Of Farm Bill For Oregon Cattle Industry

One of the biggest issues before federal lawmakers, when it comes to the Ag world, remains the farm bill.  Jerome Rosa, executive Director of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association told the Washington Ag Network the farm bill provides several good programs for livestock producers that he would like to see continued or expanded.  He said the OCA would like to the 2018 farm bill to continue improving the accessibility and the efficiency of the existing NRCS programs.

“Encourage more voluntary participation by our beef producers.  That’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

He said programs like the NRCS Grassland Reserve Program have been very beneficial in Oregon.  He would also like to see credit programs expanded to make funds available for new or expanding farmers.  Rosa added because of the political environment in DC, the Ag community needs to appreciate the importance of the SNAP program in the farm bill.

“Many of the agricultural programs that we have that I spoke of earlier probably wouldn’t be supported by many in Washington DC if it weren’t for the SNAP program and the importance of that to the industry.”

Rosa said he would like to see animal health remain a focal point under the new farm bill.  As far as what he would like to see left out, he says the farm bill should not be a place for animal rights organizations to spout their political agenda.

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