Washington (AP) Momentum is building in Congress for overhauling farm subsidies because of tight budgets and increasing enthusiasm for renewable fuels and conservation programs.

The current Farm Bill, which expires in September, provides payments to supplement farmers' incomes, support crop prices and manage supplies.

Democrats now are in control of the House and energy prices have skyrocketed, leading to more calls for ethanol. Record prices for corn and other crops have some people questioning the need for subsidies.

Some lawmakers are rallying around a proposal to wean farmers from government payments, replacing subsidies with savings accounts that farmers could use to cover losses when crop prices are low or yields are poor.

Senator John Thune says there's a growing feeling such legislation might prevail. But Thune thinks Congress might turn to a two-year extension of the current farm bill to keep the 2008 election out of it.

(By AP Writer Mary Clare Jalonick) (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-08-07 0935CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list