Bill Overview
Title: Small Family Farmer And Rancher Relief Act
Description: This bill increases premium and insurance subsidies for certain small family farmers and ranchers, creates a program to provide relief to small producers when cattle prices and values exceed a specified threshold level, and establishes a grant program to assist cattle producers to market and add value to beef products.
Sponsors: Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13]
Target Audience
Population: Small family farmers and ranchers, particularly those involved in cattle production
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill targets small family farmers and ranchers specifically.
- It includes provisions for increased premium and insurance subsidies for these farmers and ranchers.
- There is a relief program focused on small producers dealing with cattle prices.
- A new grant program is aimed at assisting cattle producers with marketing and adding value.
- Given the focus on cattle, the primary impacted group is small-scale cattle ranchers and beef producers.
Reasoning
- Given the targeted nature of the policy, the interviews focus on small family farmers and ranchers, especially those involved in cattle production.
- We estimate the number of people directly benefitting from this policy is around 2 million, which aligns with USDA data and the project's stated target.
- The policy's focus on premium subsidies, insurance, and grants makes it particularly relevant to cattle ranchers who may face fluctuating market conditions.
- The simulation includes a mix of perspectives from those benefiting significantly to those with minimal impact due to geographic or operational differences.
- The policy's budget constraints mean not every eligible farmer will feel a significant impact, and some may only experience minor improvements to wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
cattle rancher (Texas)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is a step in the right direction for us small guys.
- The subsidies and relief program will help us manage risks better, especially with the unpredictable cattle prices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
rancher (Montana)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial that the government notices the struggles of family-run beef farms.
- The marketing grants could help us reach more customers interested in organic products.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
farmer and rancher (Kansas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While my focus is more on crops, the cattle grants could still provide some seasonal cost balancing.
- It'd be helpful, but not life-changing for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
retired rancher (North Dakota)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's rewarding to see such initiatives, I hope they support the next generation of ranchers.
- These programs might have made retirement easier had they been available sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
new rancher (Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As new ranchers, every bit of help counts, both financially and in terms of market access.
- I believe this policy could level the playing field for newcomers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
cattle breeder (Oklahoma)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The relief program for cattle prices is essential, given the market's unpredictability.
- I'm hoping to see more long-term stability with potential market expansion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
agricultural consultant (Nebraska)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see firsthand the struggles many small operations face; this policy could open up important opportunities.
- The marketing grants align well with current industry trends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
ranch manager (Wyoming)
Age: 49 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is more focused on smaller operations, so our benefit might be negligible.
- My main concern is on sustainability and modern ranching approaches, which aren't covered.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
retired farmer (Idaho)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it won't affect me directly, it's good to see these programs for current farmers.
- Support for small farmers is key to keeping rural communities vibrant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
agro-economist (California)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide substantial short-term relief but needs assessment for long-term impact.
- The program's success will depend on effective implementation and fair distribution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $152000000 (Low: $122000000, High: $182000000)
Year 3: $154000000 (Low: $124000000, High: $184000000)
Year 5: $158000000 (Low: $128000000, High: $188000000)
Year 10: $165000000 (Low: $135000000, High: $195000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $230000000)
Key Considerations
- The actual cost will depend highly on market conditions affecting cattle prices.
- Administrative capacity to effectively distribute subsidies and grants will influence efficiency and costs.
- There should be careful monitoring to prevent potential misuse of funds in subsidies and grants.