Not only are we in the last few months of the year, but we are also in the midst of the first government shutdown in 17 years. But, despite this setback, we are as close as we’ve ever been to passage of the farm bill. The 2013 Farm Bill remains NCBA’s top priority for Congress to finalize.

NCBA has been working hard on behalf of cattle producers around the country in order to get a farm bill passed. One of the most important aspects of a full, five-year farm bill highlighted by not only the droughts and wildfires of the past two years, but the recent events in South Dakota and my home state of Wyoming is disaster assistance for producers.

Last year was a tough one on producers, with the drought-stricken landscape and the loss of crops, hay and pastures in 2012 presenting numerous challenges for cattlemen and women but across our nation. Following the excessive spring moisture and record floods of 2011, no one would have predicted that 2012 would bring extreme heat, a crippling moisture shortage and the worst drought in decades.

This year, wildfires in the West, floods in Colorado and a recent devastating blizzard in South Dakota have greatly affected farmers and ranchers and their herds. Because the weather is so unpredictable, Congress must pursue fiscally responsible agriculture policies that ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to produce a reliable, safe and inexpensive food supply with the appropriate level of regulatory oversight and at the least cost to taxpayers.

We hope that Congress will continue to move to pass the 2013 Farm Bill now that we have both a Senate and House version of the bill. Both versions of the bill incorporate the priorities that NCBA and our membership fought hard for last year. Both chambers of Congress worked to pass their bills out of their respective Agriculture Committees, and the Senate passed their version of the bill in June. The House instead split their bill into two portions – “agriculture only” and “nutrition only.” And after much time and much debate, both of these were passed and recently the House voted to combine the two bills.

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The next step is to name conferees from the House, so that these members of Congress can come together and hammer out a final farm bill product. The Senate named and reconfirmed its conferees, but the House has yet to do so.

NCBA supports the passage of sound agriculture policy, which will provide certainty to farmers and ranchers. As hard working Americans who have a stake in the government process and whose voices must be heard, I strongly encourage participation of family farmers and ranchers in this process.

Call your senators and representatives and let them know how important it is to move forward and bring the 2013 Farm Bill to the floor and finalize this important piece of legislation. Your involvement is crucial to our success.  end mark

Scott George is president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. This column originally appeared in the organization’s newsletter, Beltway Beef.