Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas discussed a potential year-end agricultural aid package at the Ag Outlook Forum. He shared conversations with Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, who is exploring ways to provide timely aid to farmers beyond the traditional Title I provisions.

Moran highlighted the urgency of the financial strain on farmers. He stressed the need for immediate action before the year’s end. Waiting for a new five-year farm bill is not feasible. He suggested the aid would likely come as direct assistance, not altering existing commodity programs like reference prices. He also noted that Stabenow is seeking ways to speed up payments under programs like Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), which typically delay payments by a year.

Moran indicated that the sentiment for faster aid is growing on the House side, with potential options including either a full farm bill extension or a shorter-term package for commodity producers. Agricultural groups such as the National Farmers Union and the National Pork Producers Council have been actively lobbying in Washington, pushing for farm bill support.

Read more about efforts to put together a farm aid package here.