A debate in Iowa last week between presidential candidates' surrogates feature the Romney camp alleging environmental regulations would hurt farmers, while Obama's team emphasized the help his administration had offered to suffering farmers.

"Speaking on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) yesterday blasted the Obama administration for environmental regulations he said were stifling farmers and ranchers.

The comments came during a surrogate debate between Johanns and former Iowa Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge, who spoke on behalf of the Obama campaign.

The debate held last night in Iowa provided a rare look at where the candidates stand on agricultural issues -- issues that loom large given the farm bill's expiration at the end of this month. ...

Judge praised the Obama administration's actions during the drought, which included extending lines of credit to suffering farmers and opening up conservation lands to emergency grazing. She also said the drought highlighted how farmers are relying on extra income from renewable fuel projects and that Obama would continue "growing fuel in the Midwest" by supporting biofuels."

Amanda Peterka reports for E&E Daily September 13, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Farm Bill Backers Rally on Capitol Hill" (CNN) [3]

"House Leaders Try To Move Three-Month Extension of Farm Bill" (The Hill) [4]

"Peterson: Farm Bill Unlikely Soon" (West Central Tribune) [5]

"Food Stamp Flap at Center of Farm Bill Impasse" (Appleton Post-Crescent) [6]

"Republicans Help Senate’s Democrats by Delaying Farm Help" (Bloomberg) [7]