NFU president has mixed reaction to budget proposal

Roger Johnson was also happy to see programs in the budget proposal that would directly benefit rural America.
Roger Johnson was also happy to see programs in the budget proposal that would directly benefit rural America. | File photo

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson has mixed thoughts on the president’s fiscal year 2017 budget proposal that was released Tuesday. 

On the one hand, Johnson believes funding farmers and ranchers should be a top priority for the government and that the budget proposal is a good starting point in which the government and NFU can work together.

“President Obama should be applauded for his proposed investments in agriculture’s future, including $700 million in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and $106 million for the development of bio-based energy sources,” Johnson said. "Research not only drives innovation, it ensures a future for our farm and ranch families."

Johnson was also happy to see programs in the budget proposal that would directly benefit rural America like in-home rural care, combating opioid addiction and increases in food related programs for both children in the summer and SNAP for the elderly.

“Unfortunately, the budget proposal also cuts crop insurance, the primary tool farmers use to deal with weather and market risk,” Johnson said. "With three consecutive negative farm income forecasts, we simply cannot afford to undercut the farm safety net. NFU urges Congress to reject these crop insurance cuts, as it has in years past."