A Kansas farmer testified earlier this week before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry about the importance of growers having access to a strong safety net and risk management system.
According to Kansas Wheat, David Schemm, who is also president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, said farmers are facing “the toughest economic conditions they have faced since the 1980s.”
He testified that programs under the 2014 Farm Bill, crop insurance in particular, have helped farmers continue farming “when prices collapse or disaster strikes."
He said farmers pay a premium for crop insurance before suffering a loss that would qualify as a claim.
“In truth, a farmer would much rather get a return on their commodity than become eligible for an indemnity," Schemm said.
According to Kansas Wheat, Title 1 programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage are also key safety net programs that kick in for losses not covered by crop insurance.