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Ag in the AM: Senate Progress on Farm Bill

Direct payments are gone in the Senate version of the 2012 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Agriculture Committee leader Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) says farmers will no longer be paid for crops they're not growing.  The bill will trim the federal deficit by $23 billion over ten years.

The bill would expand farmers' access to crop insurance.  The bill will consolidate 23 existing conservation programs into 13.

Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin is on the committee and says he's not happy with cuts in conservation programs but will accept them.

The largest portion of Farm Bill spending, roughly 80%, goes to nutrition programs.

The Senate won't cut food stamps as much as some members of the House would like.

Work in the House and the Senate will continue this week.

(Information from http://www.agriculture.com/news/policy/senate-to-end-direct-payments_4-ar23689)

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