President Obama’s proposal to cut $700 million from the USDA budget has Oklahoma farmers concerned, as it threatens to drastically reduce funding for crop insurance and conservation programs.
“We are deeply concerned about reducing funds for crop insurance as it is our primary risk management tool,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Cutting funds to crop insurance threatens the very program that kept many of our producers in business during the recent historic drought. We support a strong crop insurance program focused on helping farmers manage risk.”
The Farm Bureau leader emphasized agriculture’s support of reducing the federal deficit but said the administration should not try to sacrifice the nation’s food supply in the process.
“We are committed to doing our part in reducing the deficit,” Spradling said, “However, this budget proposal indicates the administration does not fully appreciate agriculture’s contribution to a safe, affordable, domestic food supply.”
In addition to cutting crop insurance, plans to decrease conservation programs also worry agricultural producers.
“As true environmental stewards, farmers and ranchers work extremely hard to protect water and soil quality,” Spradling said. “Reducing federal conservation funds takes another valuable tool away from our producers.”
