By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com

As Congress extended the 2002 Farm Bill through April 18, U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said it's possible that a new Farm Bill won't be passed at all this year.

"You could see this thing go through the whole year and wait for a new administration, new president and new Congress," Hagel said during a teleconference with state reporters today.

Hagel also said further extensions could be possible throughout the year as House and Senate conferees battle with the White House about proposed spending in the Farm Bill.

"I would be quite surprised if you could get a Farm Bill passed and signed into law in the next 30 days," Hagel said.

Congress will go on a two-week Easter break at the end of the week.

"We will only have a couple of weeks to deal with this, and it's quite likely that we will extend it again," Hagel said.