AUDIO: Rob Larew – National Farmers Union
The president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) says the U.S. Senate Ag Committee has an opportunity to bring needed stability to the farm sector.
“We’re still looking for our lawmakers to be bold and produce some farm policy that meets today’s needs.”
Rob Larew says the House’s recently passed Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 would bring some certainty, but…
“It’s important to get it to this phase, but I think it is high time that we quit trying to tweak a pretty ineffective safety net.” He says, “ARC and PLC served its time.”
He tells Brownfield the safety net that was put in place in 2014 is showing its age.
“It’s been improved on, but market conditions are vastly different, and it’s worth taking a much more serious look at the safety net structure.” He says, “Glad to see crop insurance still in there. That’s an important piece, but I think we can do better, and we should.”
Larew says continued calls for ad hoc assistance show the system isn’t meeting the needs of the farming community, and he says the legislation should take larger steps to address rising input costs and expand market opportunities for U.S. producers.
