Earlier this week, agricultural groups pushed back against proposed cuts to agriculture proposed by President Donald Trump. One of the proposals is a $40,000 cap on crop insurance, meaning many farmers will be unable to insure their entire acreage. “Crop insurance cuts, seed is high, chemical is high, crop prices are low and crop insurance is already high so why should it get any higher?” AJ Lanier, a farmer near Whitewater said. Lanier and his family farm hundreds of acres of wheat and soybeans. The harsh winter and strange spring weather patterns could take a toll on their yield, making insuring their crops important. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) said in a statement, “Now is not the time for another hit to Kansas farmers. With low prices, tough weather, poor yields and the latest freeze’s damage to the wheat crop, things could not be worse. The proposed cuts to crop insurance would greatly reduce the effectiveness of the program for farmers and ranchers trying to manage risk and continue feeding the nation.” We reached out to Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kansas who sits on the agriculture committee in Washington DC, who made a joint statement with fellow agricultural committee chairman Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, saying: “We support the Trump administration’s goal of achieving three percent economic growth for our nation. USDA’s latest estimates find agriculture, food, and related industries contribute $992 billion to our economy. As we debate the budget and the next Farm Bill, we will fight to ensure farmers have a strong safety net so this key segment of our economy can weather current hard times and continue to provide all Americans with safe, affordable food. Also, as a part of Farm Bill discussions, we need to take a look at our nutrition assistance programs to ensure that they are helping the most vulnerable in our society.” The National Farmer’s Union called the cuts “deeply disappointing” in a statement. Source - http://ksn.com