PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
January 31, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said this morning he is encouraged by the programs United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns highlighted as part of his Farm Bill announcement. After months of effort, Secretary Johanns today publicly released his proposal for new farm policy to replace the expiring 2002 Farm Bill.

"We appreciate the efforts of Secretary Johanns and USDA staff to develop such a thorough Farm Bill proposal. It will help spark an important dialogue as expiration of the 2002 Farm Bill nears and discussion begins in earnest on new legislation," Ibach said. "I'm encouraged to see that the USDA proposal addresses a number of the issues we heard about from Nebraska farmers and ranchers during several listening sessions held here in our state."

Gov. Dave Heineman and Ibach hosted listening sessions in five communities across the state in late 2005. Comments received from producers during those sessions were summarized and forwarded to Secretary Johanns and a number of Congressional leaders last year.

"A thorough analysis of USDA's proposal is needed, but at first glance a number of the recommendations outlined in today's announcement appear to be in line with what Nebraska farmers and ranchers have said they need in order to be successful," Ibach said.

Suggestions included maintenance of a counter-cyclical safety net, tighter restrictions on commodity program payments, improvements to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and continued trade program support. Ibach said producers during the listening sessions also talked about the need for USDA to offer more opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.

"USDA's proposal also includes support for renewable energy research and development, as well as the creation of a new regional water assistance program, both important issues in Nebraska," Ibach said.

"Again, we will have to review the details of his proposals," Ibach said. "But overall, I'd say we are cautiously optimistic about how USDA has chosen to frame the Farm Bill discussion. Secretary Johanns and his advisers seem to have given careful consideration to what they heard from producers across the country."

During a briefing with USDA staff last night, Ibach asked how the Department's proposal would position the United States for the World Trade Organization negotiations.

"We were told USDA believes these changes insulate us from trade challenges. That's an important point for any of us who are working to open international market opportunities," Ibach said.