Gearing up for his upcoming Farm Tour in Alabama next week, Sen. Tommy Tuberville introduced two pieces of agricultural-related legislation Wednesday.
The first bill, the bipartisan-backed Farm Board Act, would make changes to requirements for representation on the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. (FCIC) board. The legislation would give increased representation on the board to farmers who produce livestock and crops.
The second, the Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act, would request a study from the USDA Risk Management Agency on the gap in crop insurance coverage for certain winter oilseed crops, specifically canola and rapeseed, and double-cropping policies.
“Agriculture is the foundation of our economy,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said. “That’s why I am proud to work on a bipartisan basis with Senators (Raphael) Warnock (D-Ga.) and (Peter) Welch (D-Vt.) to introduce the Farm Board Act, legislation that will work to ensure our livestock producers have a seat at the table on the FCIC Board.”
Jimmy Parnell, president of Alabama Farmers Federation, said it was important to have the correct representation on the FCIC Board.
“As the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and RMA continue to introduce more risk management tools for livestock producers, it is important to have farmers on the board who produce both row crops and livestock to offer their perspective,” he said.
The Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act was also led by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
“I am also proud to stand united with my fellow senators from Alabama and Tennessee to advocate for a new revenue opportunity for our farmers in the Southeast to produce canola and rapeseed,” said Tuberville. “With the growing demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels, our producers will have enhanced opportunities to use productive acres during the winter months to earn a paycheck; now we just need the data to address the crop insurance gaps.”
Tuberville’s upcoming Farm Tour will be a series of public hearings hosted by the senator and Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. Those who are impacted by the Farm Bill are invited to voice their concerns and offer input.
The hearings will take place at:
- Coastal Alabama Community College, Aug. 1, 9:15 a.m.
- Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, Aug. 1, noon
- Snead State Community College, Aug. 1, 3 p.m.
- Alabama Wildlife Federation, Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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