Farm Bill Torn Asunder

The Senate handily approved their version of a new farm bill with several key shifts, compared with their 2012 version. In particular, the Senate bill now includes a target price commodity program known as Adverse Market Payments, in addition to revenue-based Ag Risk Coverage (ARC). The target crop prices would be set at 2008 levels, except for rice and peanuts, which would receive a boost. The ARC program still remains the top choice because, based on the Congressional Budget Office assessment, 80% of the outlays under the Senate bill come through the revenue-based ARC program. In the House, the farm bill process is riddled with numerous amendments and resulting debate--both in committee and on the floor. Here, Bernard discusses several amendments to the farm bill.