Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

"New Farm Bill not likely by April, but should happen this year: WOODALL"

(Colin (CALL-UN) Woodall, is executive director of legislative affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association)

As discussions continue on a new Farm Bill, Congress has extended the current Farm Bill to April 18. The White House and some Congressional leaders are suggesting that if a new bill is not ready for passage by April, the current Farm Bill should be extended by one year.

But National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) chief lobbyist Colin Woodall says the extension to April 18 really doesn't buy very many additional working days for a Farm Bill compromise. But while Woodall doesn't see all sides coming together by April, he still predicts there could be a new Farm Bill this year – rather than a one-year extension of the current law.

Cut  #1:       :41        Out cue: "… Farm Bill this year."

The Senate's proposed ban on packer ownership of livestock remains a sticking point in Farm Bill discussions. Some are using JBS's proposed acquisition of Smithfield Beef and National Beef as an argument in favor of the packer ban. But while NCBA favors a Justice Department review of the JBS acquisitions and is concerned about packer concentration, Woodall says packer concentration and packer ownership of livestock are entirely separate issues.

Cut  #2:       :16        Out cue: "… no correlation there, whatsoever."