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WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2008 -- Members of the House and Senate stood up for America’s farmers and ranchers when they voted for the bipartisan farm bill conference report, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The farm bill approved on Capitol Hill this week gives U.S. farmers and ranchers assurance and stability at a time when domestic food security is more important than ever.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman praised lawmakers who stood steadfast with U.S. farmers and ranchers and urged them to maintain their commitment to agriculture going forward.

“The farm bill approved by the House yesterday and the Senate today strikes a key balance,” Stallman said. “The bill provides vital support for nutrition, conservation, research, food safety and many other programs that benefit all Americans.

“Farm bills are most important in bad times, and given the cyclical nature of agriculture and the vagaries of weather, American farmers and ranchers need a basic, no-frills safety net in place to fall back on as they work to provide food and fuel for the U.S. and the world.”

Stallman said the farm bill and the stability it offers is needed now more than ever given the range of complex issues, such as rising world food demand and the weakness of the U.S. dollar, affecting food supplies and prices everywhere. “Against a backdrop of growing global food security concerns, this carefully crafted legislation will enable America’s farmers and ranchers to continue serving as the world’s major food producers,” he said.

Though prices for corn, soybeans and other commodities are favorable at this point, American farmers and ranchers are not necessarily reaping a windfall. Production expenses and input costs, such as fuel, fertilizer and feed, are at all-time highs, making it more expensive than ever to produce a crop and raise livestock.

“The three-legged safety net of direct payments, marketing loans and counter-cyclical programs provides our farmers an essential level of financial security at a time when their markets and expenses are so volatile,” Stallman said.

Stallman said Farm Bureau members are disappointed that President Bush intends to veto this bill. The legislation has broad national benefits, reform in farm programs and is fully paid for through offsets, he said.

“No farm bill ever is perfect, but this bill includes substantial reforms,” Stallman said. “Members of the conference committee did an outstanding job addressing the administration’s concerns regarding financing. Moreover, in spite of a cut in the cornerstone support offered by direct payments, this is a good, solid bill for American agriculture, American consumers and the environment.”