New Legislation Would Offer Relief During Weather-Related Feed Shortages

A recently introduced bill would help farmers and ranchers alleviate feed shortages during planting seasons with high levels of prevent plant due to extreme moisture or drought.

Currently, under the Federal Crop Insurance Program, farmers who are unable to plant a crop due to adverse weather conditions are eligible to receive a small indemnity but are prohibited from growing a cash commodity due to a missed window in the growing season. The bipartisan Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters (FEEDD) Act (H.R. 3183) would allow USDA to issue emergency waivers allowing farmers to graze, hay or chop a cover crop before Nov. 1 in the event of a feed shortage due to excessive moisture, flood or drought. With this waiver, farmers would not have to take a further discount on their crop insurance.

“As farmers and ranchers across the country struggle through a difficult planting season, I am glad to see this common-sense approach to helping livestock producers and farmers alike through allowing the planting of crops for forage after the prevent plant date. This year so far has been unprecedented for American farmers, and this pragmatic approach allows farmers flexibility in the management of their land, while allowing for livestock forage to be grown,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in support of the bill.

The measure was introduced by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.).