Farm bill extension not popular

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Leaders of many farm groups in the Upper Midwest aren’t pleased that Congress has extended the current farm bill rather than pass new legislation.

The one-year extension of portions of the expired 2008 farm bill is one of the measures introduced to avert the “fiscal cliff” of major tax increases and spending cuts that were due to take effect Jan. 1. The extension prevents milk prices from rising but excludes other farm provisions such as disaster aid for producers.

“This is disappointing,” North Dakota Farmers Union President Woody Barth said in a statement. “It is sad when...