WATCH: IL Corn official testifies before US House committee on state of farming | Illinois

(The Center Square) – Illinois farming was in the spotlight at a recent U.S. House Committee on Agriculture hearing in Washington D.C.  

Many issues affecting the farming sector were touched on, including a farm bill, livestock laws, and trade agreements with other countries. Illinois Corn Growers Association Executive Director and Illinois farmer Rodney Weinzierl painted a dire picture of the current state of farming. 

“Today the farm economy is struggling,” said Weinzierl. “I believe two fundamental issues are driving the downturn, lack of demand and rising input costs.” 

He added that ethanol, livestock and exports must see renewed investment and without action, farmers face a bleak outlook.  

Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said changes need to be made to several trade deals the U.S. is involved in, especially with China. 

“Who actually plays games with the industry, offers a price on beans, says they are going to take it for that amount and then comes back and overloads the market where the prices drop where many farmers are broke, so obviously our trade deals have not been really, really good,” said Bost.  

Officials said U.S. agriculture trade faces a $42.5 billion deficit in 2025, so expanding international markets is critical. 

Bost also called for the passage of a new farm bill. Over the weekend, Congress again failed to reauthorize the Farm Bill, which was last passed in 2018 and has been extended twice. 

Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline, said he has heard from farmers that the federal crop insurance program needs to be adjusted. 

“We must move quickly to pass a 5-year bipartisan farm bill that supports fair premiums for our frames, prioritizes smart farming practices, protects [the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program], and expands and boosts our crop insurance,” said Sorenson.