They said they would get the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act out of committee in one business session come “hell or high water” and they did it.

It took nearly 15 hours to go through some 100 amendments and did not end until just shy of 1:00 am Eastern time, but the final roll call vote to recommend the FARRM bill to the full House was 35 to 11. Amendments added to the bill in committee included a repeal of the controversial GIPSA provisions in the 2008 bill, one that requires USDA to resolve country of origin labeling under WTO ruling, and another that uses the Commerce Clause to prevent states like California from forcing regulations on other states when it comes to agricultural production.

The House bill is already very different than the Senate version and the first official comment on it came from the National Corn Growers Association, which is disappointed that it does not include a more viable market-oriented risk management program. “We support moving the legislative process forward and urge Speaker Boehner to schedule time for full House floor consideration before the August recess,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer in a statement. “However, we feel there needs to be significant changes made to the legislation. Our farmers will be working with members of the House of Representatives to ensure those changes are included in a final package.”

Have to give recognition to the tireless tweeters who covered the whole process from start to finish – including @AgriPulse, @Ron_on_RON, and @ChrisClaytonDTN. Great job to all! Hope you are sleeping in this morning.