Conferees Begin Farm Bill Negotiations

Oct 30, 2013

Lawmakers to Narrow Gap between House and Senate Food Stamp Cuts

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

It’s a tough job ahead of 41 farm bill conferees as they begin to reconcile the House and Senate versions on a renewed five-year food and farm policy, Wednesday.

The talks will largely center on food stamps. Lawmakers are tasked to reconcile $40 billion in cuts to nutrition programs proposed by the Republican-led House, while the Senate version would only cut about $400 million.

On the eve of conference negotiations, a coalition of 250 farm lobby groups reinforced the importance of a renewed farm bill, and the need for permanent law provisions. The groups also urged Congress to include a “meaningful nutrition title,” which can be signed by President Obama.

Proceedings on the bipartisan farm bill can be viewed live here at 2:30p.m. (ET): http://agriculture.house.gov.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.