Some Missouri farmers say they are being squeezed by higher supply costs and fewer options for selling crops and livestock as Congress works on the next Farm Bill.

The House has passed its version of the legislation, and as the Senate prepares to take it up, farm groups recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to push for changes they say would help independent producers compete.

Rhonda Perry, a family farmer who heads the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, said corporate concentration is a major reason small and mid-size farmers are struggling.

“Corporate concentration has got to be reined in in all of the arenas in our food system," Perry said, "because right now it's out of control and it shows, and people are suffering.”

Perry argued that a more competitive marketplace would also give consumers greater access to family farm-raised products. Those on the other side of the debate have contended the current House bill would provide stronger support for commodity producers and improve crop insurance protections.

Another proposal Missouri farmers are urging senators to support is mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. Perry said trade policies have made it harder for some American producers to compete and that labeling would give consumers important information when making purchasing decisions.

“At a minimum, consumers have the ability and the right to choose American-raised beef for their families,” Perry said.

Missouri is home to nearly 88,000 farms, and more than 96% are family owned, according to agriculture data. Perry said Missouri farmers are facing a third year of low prices and, in some cases, difficulty making loan payments.

Senators are expected to begin debating changes to the Farm Bill between mid-July and the August recess.

Source: Public News Service