Vilsack warns farmers of pending budget cuts

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack strongly hinted Monday to the nation's largest farm lobbying group that large budget deficits will require spending cuts. However, Vilsack did not explain in detail how cuts might affect the budget of the U.S. Agriculture Department and its programs. His remarks come as U.S. farmers are searching for signals about what programs Congress might trim or curtail in the next Farm Bill expected next year.

That legislation sets the federal government's financial support for the agriculture sector. "It's fairly clear. I'm not going to tell you something that you haven't already heard from your leadership," Vilsack told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "When you're dealing with having to reduce deficits, you're going to have to make difficult choices."

During his remarks, Vilsack highlighted a federal effort to expand a crop insurance program without increasing the financial exposure for the government. He said the effort saved money that will be used to reduce the spending shortfall. "We cannot continue to sustain high deficits," said Vilsack, who did not take questions. "So everyone's going to have to do their part." Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.