Food Stamps Kills Farm Bill

Jun 21, 2013

Food Stamps Kills Farm Bill

U.S. House Defeats Farm Bill

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The Republican controlled House rejected the massive Farm Bill on Thursday - the vote was 234-195 against the measure.

The majority of Democrats in the House, 24, voted no because they opposed the food stamp cuts. But Democrats weren’t the only ones who voted no, 62 Republicans also voted against the bill, which called for deeper cuts to food stamps. About 80 percent of the farm bill currently goes towards food stamps, while the remaining falls under farm policy.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack calls the defeat of the farm bill “disappointing,” noting that a lack of leadership is to blame. Vilsack also said “the House version of this bill would have unfairly denied food assistance for millions of struggling families and their children, while failing to achieve needed reforms or critical investments to continue economic growth in rural America.”

Another extension of the 2008 farm bill would make most farmers happy, with dairy farmers being the exception. If the bill is extended for the second time, that would mean that farmers would receive direct payments for crops, no changes to crop insurance and no cuts to food stamps.

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.