With debt-slashing mood in Washington putting pressure on farm subsidies, advocacy by agricultural associations may prove key. Congressional hearings for the new farm bill have just begun on Capitol Hill, and a crop of commodity associations are gearing up for a funding battle that could be more difficult than past authorization debates, given the U.S. budget situation. House Republican budget leaders, the Presidential Deficit Commission and others focused on reducing the debt have called for long-term cuts in farm aid. And so, farm industry groups are readying themselves for a long struggle. “We realize there are consequences to trillion dollar deficits,” said Sam… Read More