Central Louisiana News

Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) have introduced the Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act. The proposed legislation aims to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act, providing enhanced and more flexible insurance coverage for farmers who have suffered crop quality loss.

The current policies within the Federal Crop Insurance Act often lack the flexibility required to accommodate unpredictable crop quality losses. Soybean farms, in particular, have been significantly affected by quality loss issues. The new act is designed to improve the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s (FCIC) review process of quality losses and mandates that the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) establish a regional discount factor for crops during disaster periods.

Congresswoman Letlow recently secured report language concerning crop insurance policies for quality losses. This action was taken to address the soybean quality loss disaster from 2022 as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations package.

"Farmers have to deal with extreme conditions and unpredictability during their seasons, and are unfortunately left without the support they need when faced with sudden crop losses," said Rep. Letlow. "Soybean farmers in particular were negatively impacted by extreme weather and natural disasters in the fall of 2022. This bill will provide them with additional assistance during their most challenging times moving forward."

Senator Kennedy echoed these sentiments, stating, “Too often, federal insurers give American farmers short shrift when regional disasters damage their crops. The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act would make sure that fickle government policies don’t control the fate of Louisiana’s soybean farmers.”

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper also voiced his support for the bill: “Louisiana agriculture is unique in the crops we grow and the challenges we face. However, we still need fair and equitable safety net programs to stay in business,” he said. “Congresswoman Letlow and Senator Kennedy are making that a reality through this bill and not leaving Louisiana soybean farmers behind."