Farmers told a U.S. House Agriculture

Committee that crop insurance has to be the backbone of the next

farm bill.

Ten farmers from the Midwest testified during a committee

hearing Friday in Dodge City. Most said a viable crop insurance

program is vital to the agriculture’s future.

It was the committee’s final field hearing before it returns to

Washington D.C. The current farm bill expires September 30th.

Keith Miller, who grows several commodities and has cattle in

Barton County, said he wouldn’t be farming today without crop

insurance – especially after last year’s drought nearly wiped out

his crops.

Farmers at the meeting also

discussed continuation of an energy title, a strengthened

conservation title, and more emphasis on research.