‘We don’t just want aid’: Nebraska Farm Bureau calls for action at the congressional level

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) —The Nebraska Farm Bureau taking their concerns to the congressional level Thursday, requesting support for some key policies that they’d like to see in place.

The policies are listed below:

• Fair and enforceable trade agreements that open markets and ensure reciprocal access for U.S. products
• Policy support for biofuels, including year-round sales of E15 and other renewable fuels
• Restoration of whole milk in schools, giving children access to nutritious U.S. dairy products
• Protection of interstate commerce by opposing and challenging current and future state laws that undermine market consistency, competition and transparency
• Investigation into pricing structures for major agricultural inputs to address market imbalances that artificially inflate production costs beyond normal market fluctuations, paired with stronger enforcement of laws and regulations that ensure transparency and fairness in agricultural markets
• Prioritization of American-grown fruits and vegetables in federal and institutional purchasing programs

With the policy support for biofuels, President Mark McHargue said it’s drastic.

“E15 year round is dramatic,” said McHargue. “40% of our corn goes to ethanol. So, you add another 50% of demand. That’s really significant.”

The farm bureau is also asking for more than just assistance.

“We don’t want just aid. We want some solid policy goals to be met,” McHargue said. “When you couple that together, these policy items will help in the long term success for Nebraska farmers and ranchers.

McHargue says input prices have impacted farmers the most. Things such as fertilizer, materials, tires, and metal; stating they have gone up significantly, and he’s also wanting that investigated.

With farmers spending more on those items, and with pretty good yields expected this year, the prices they get for their crops like corn and soybeans won’t be significant. So, many are just looking to break even.

The farm bureau also said since the government shutdown, that only makes problems a bit worse.

“Now with the government shut down, any aid we’d be getting is delayed.”

While these policy measures are essential for long-term stability, McHargue emphasized that immediate assistance is also needed to keep farm families afloat.