Shaping Farm Policy is Difficult, but Essential to Keeping Farmers and Ag Enterprises Viable

By Craig Gautreaux, Ph.D.

LSU AgCenter

Two strong advocates for American agriculture stated their positions on issues such as the Farm Bill, labor concerns and regulatory decisions during the public policy luncheon at the 102nd annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention.

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and current American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval told a crowded room that getting a Farm Bill passed this year is a daunting task, but both were optimistic it could get done.

“I’m hopeful,” Letlow said. “It’s always a compromise. We never get everything we want.”

Letlow said there were some definite wins in the current bill. She mentioned monies allocated toward agricultural research and funds to deal with feral hogs as two examples.

Duvall was not quite as optimistic as Letlow, but he still believed getting a farm bill passed could happen.

“I think there is an opportunity, but it’s going to be difficult,” Duvall said. “The days are limited to get it done.”

Both speakers commented on the difficulty farmers face in securing labor for their operations.

Duvall said that border security is paramount. He said farmers need a reliable workforce and employees need to be treated fairly regarding wages.

Duvall said another important issue facing the ag community next year will be taxes. He believed that the future of tax policy is uncertain next year and people should pay close attention regarding how taxes will be assessed.

Letlow has been a representative since April 2021. Her Fifth Congressional District is home to the largest acreage of production agriculture in the country. A trained educator, becoming a spokesperson for agriculture was something new to her.

“It’s been a whirlwind to be an advocate for agriculture,” she said. “The farmers and ranchers of Louisiana are some of the kindest people.”

One area Letlow believes needs improvement is how farmers and ranchers are paid because of a disaster. She would like to see the process streamlined so payments could provide relief in a timely fashion.

“It takes way too long for those disaster payments to hit,” Letlow said.

She expressed concern that it may cause some producers to go out of business because of the delay in receiving some form of aid.

Duvall said a recent ruling on the so-called “Chevron deference” is a huge win for the farming community.

“This puts the pressure back on the judiciary and puts back on the Congress to pass laws that are clearly written,” he said.

During the luncheon, both Duvall and Letlow recognized the efforts of outgoing Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper. When she first joined Congress, Letlow said she relied on Harper to help educate her on the trials and tribulations agriculture was undergoing.

“Jim Harper has been with me since day one,” Letlow said.

For Duvall, Harper helped educate him about the diversity of Louisiana agriculture and impressed Duvall about his passion for agriculture in Louisiana.

“Rest assured, Jim Harper has been a tremendous advocate for agriculture,” he said. “Jim has done a lot of good things from his position.”