|
| | ||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSSTAND LOCATIONS | ||||
| ||||
|
|
| | |
Phillips knows that the farm bill impacts his operation Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Agri News staff writer
WASHINGTON --The farm bill affects Mike Phillips' farming operation.
"I'm directly involved in it through the commodity payments and through the conservation provisions," said Phillips, who raises corn, soybeans and hogs near Waseca.
He returned July 11 from a whirlwind trip to Washington to lobby on the farm bill. He met with lawmakers and their aides and saw the people who answer the phone when he calls.
There's two people to a desk and most of the people answering the telephone are young people, he said.
"I've made different phone calls when LSP, could be Farmers Union, could be Center for Rural Affairs É will contact me and ask me to make a phone call, there may be more of that this summer as the vote gets closer," Phillips said.
Conservation is the most important title of the farm bill in his opinion. He uses little tillage to leave residue on the soil. Some of his neighbors use a considerable amount of tillage and don't use waterways.
"It doesn't take that much rain to erode that soil," Phillips said. "I think there's still a big need for conservation practices."
Phillips wants to see the Conservation Security Program, which was started in 2002, expanded. He has gotten ready to be eligible for the program, taking soil tests and testing his liquid manure. He has nutrient records and pesticide records. He installed a filter strip along a drainage ditch that crosses his farm.
"I feel that I would be able to qualify," Phillips said.
He also wants the farm bill to address the lack of competition among companies who buy from farmers. He used to travel 15 miles to sell his hogs. Now, he travels 36 miles to find a market and doesn't know how long that market will remain.
"The same time we're out there, the opposition is out there talking to the same people," Phillips said. "It gets to be a battle."
He supports provisions that would increase opportunities for young and beginning farmers. Those issues may be easier to tackle than competition, he said.
Does he think his visit to Washington made a difference?
"I actually think that it will make a difference," Phillips said. |
| | |
| |
Copyright 2008 Agri News
All Rights Reserved
