As the only working family farmer in the U.S. Senate, I can empathize with the anxiety felt by farm families and rural communities heavily dependent upon an ag-based economy. The low prices have spurred a lot of finger pointing and calls for changes to farm policy. I agree that government policy is partially responsible for the recent instability. For starters, Congress delayed for too long passage of a substantive crop insurance package and the administration has failed to open markets for our agricultural commodities. Farming is risky business and it's an under-appreciated profession.
American farmers deserve a safety net that they can count on every crop year.
The Risk Management for the 21st Century Act gives them better security and more certainty by increasing the affordability of crop insurance protection. And it empowers farmers so their bottom line isn't dependent on the whims of Congress passing ad hoc emergency assistance. Iowa grain farmers currently insure 81 percent of all corn and soybeans in the state. This is the highest percentage in the United States. By making crop insurance, especially revenue products, more affordable, Iowa farmers can use the improved funding formula to purchase better protection that will shield them during lean years.