Podcast: Farm program changes are likely on their way

In this podcast, Larry Mussack, a farmer from Decatur and member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, talks about the debt limit and budget talks that took place in Washington, D.C., last month, and how they relate to agriculture.

"While agriculture, foreign aid and earmarks are often mentioned when it comes to cuts, combined they barely make up 1 percent of the federal budget," Mussack said. "So while cuts there may be necessary and helpful they certainly won’t solve the problem."

He noted that about 90 percent of government spending goes to defense, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare and interest on the debt. Education gets about 4 percent and transportation only about 3 percent.

As National Corn Growers Association president Bart Schott noted recently, anyone with basic math skills can see that the budget cannot be balanced on the backs of agriculture. However, Mussack said, he also noted that it is obvious significant cuts must be made to all programs if we want to avoid the economic meltdown seen in Greece, Italy and Spain.

"As the farm bill heats up in 2012 with the prospects of an even smaller pie to divide than we’re facing now, we will need your input and support," Mussack said. "We will need all corn growers to understand the challenges and options before us, and your voice can help determine the path we take and encourage those in D.C. to make reasonable and sound decisions."

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