In a radio interview, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the farm program has to work in all parts of the country, a position that would indicate he is more open to a softer position on payment limits than Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.

In the interview with Mike Adams on AgriTalk, Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, said that he has “a lot of respect” for Grassley, who has campaigned hard for farm bill conferees to keep the strict payment limits that are in the House and Senate bills.

But he added that Grassley’s “focus is obviously on that family farmer out there who needs help. And I certainly agree that that’s where the focus and assistance needs to be. But I think you also have to recognize that there are different sized operations in different parts of the country, and what may be absolutely appropriate for one part of the country may not work for producers in another part of the country.”

“That’s what makes the farm bill farm bill so challenging, that we have such great diversity in agriculture in America,” Vilsack said. “And God bless us for having that, and it’s a great blessing to have, but it does create a challenge when trying to put together a bill that directs help to folks who need it.”

Vilsack also noted that the farm bill will get rid of the direct payments that have been the subject of so much criticism.

(FarmPolicy.com provided a transcript of the interview. See link below)

In the interview, Vilsack also said:

• Farmers should tell Congress to pass the farm bill quickly.
• USDA is focused on implementing the new farm bill but would have to shift to implementing antiquated permanent law if no action is taken by the end of the month.
• Obama administration officials have “not seen” a specific amount of a cut in the food stamp program, but are pleased by the policy direction the farm bill conferees have taken. That was a reference to the apparent decision to force states to make at least a $20 per year payment under the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program to food stamp beneficiaries if the LIHEAP payments are to trigger an increase in food stamp benefits.
• Congress “has got to be careful” about making any changes in the country-of-origin-labeling program for red meat so that the change does not “compromise our ability to make the strongest and best case” in defending the U.S. position in the World Trade Organization.
• Passage of the farm bill is the best way to resolve the Brazilian cotton case.
• The U.S. government is still waiting for Japan and other countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to offer increased market access for agricultural and other products.

AgriTalk interview with Vilsack (FarmPolicy.com unofficial transcript)