The US Senate will begin debating the next five year farm bill when it returns from the current break, and US Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) says there will be many key issues to look at when that discussion begins.
Kohl says his priorities for the farm bill renewal include extending the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program and increasing investments in renewable energy. The Wisconsin Democrat says rural investment is a main part of the farm bill and it important to protect.
The US House already passed the farm bill. That version did not include a provision to begin reducing farm subsidies, despite efforts from members of Wisconsin's House delegation to include it. Kohl says he won't be carrying on that fight, since it could limit rural investments.
Kohl was in Madison Thursday to meet with agricultural officials and farmers.