Congress’ proposed budget would make cuts in the crop insurance program, bringing quick criticism from Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

“Farmers rely on crop insurance as an important safety net and protection from devastating losses from natural disasters,” Northey said in a statement. “Last year’s farm bill took away other safety net provisions, and, unfortunately, the proposed agreement in Congress goes back in and drastically cuts crop insurance. At a time with low crop prices where many farmers will be operating at a financial loss, we especially need strong support of this risk management tool.” Read a Des Moines Register report on the cuts here.