Farm Bill Still in Doubt. At this writing Congress is in Easter recess - and scheduled to return April 8. We understand staffs of both houses are working during this recess trying to work out the differences between the two houses. Apparently the $6.1 billion underestimation of costs in the Senate bill has been resolved by reducing funding for various farm programs. But much is still to be resolved - especially conservation programs as well details of the many commodity programs.

But all is not optimistic in Washington regarding completion. On March 22, Sen.. Roberts (R-KS) introduced an assistance package of $7.35 billion above last year's levels if Congress does not finish a new farm bill in time to apply to the 2002 crops. The bill includes market loss assistance distributed through the AMTA payment formula with payments equal to the 2000 AMTA payment level.

The 2000 AMTA payments were: 7.33-cents /lb. for cotton, 33.4-cents /bu. for corn and 58.8-cents /bu. for wheat. Of special interest to Georgia farmers would be $455 million for direct payments to peanut producers. It further calls for $456 million in direct payments to oilseed producers, amount to about 14-cents per bu.

Others are not optimistic the farm bill will be complete soon. A national outlook newsletter, in its discussion of proposed changes in the peanut program commented, "Changes most likely won't apply to the 2002-2003 marketing year since Congress isn't expected to complete work on a final farm bill before late April or early May - well into the 2002 planting season". But it is hard to accurately forecast what will happen in Washington. We have been surprised before.

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