CRAMER HEARS FROM STATE AG LEADERS AT FARM BILL ROUNDTABLE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer listened to state leaders about issues important to North Dakota agriculture during a Farm Bill Roundtable today in Mandan.

Cramer told the more than 30 agriculture leaders he appreciated the opportunity to gain insight from them as the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill are reconciled by a conference committee.  Cramer is a House conferee.

He shared information with participants highlighting differences between the Senate and House versions in areas including crop insurance, the Waters of the United States regulation, price loss coverage, agriculture risk coverage, the conservation reserve program, minimal effects exemptions, and pasture, rangeland and forage program. 

“As you review the differences in these two bills, I encourage you to let me know what you believe is the best option for the final bill,” Cramer told the participants.

Trade issues, including support for producers affected from losses, were among the issues mentioned by the leaders. Others were crop insurance, renewable fuel standards, 45Q tax credits, CAFE standards for emissions control, NAFTA negotiations, labeling of alternative protein sources, animal health, minimal effects standards for swampbuster programs, meat inspection, hemp production and federal management of tribal lands.

“With the diversity of agriculture in North Dakota, leaders like you can have great influence on the outcome of the final Farm Bill,” said Cramer. “As it is worked out in the conference committee, I encourage you to share your valuable expertise with me to make this the best possible Farm Bill.”

In addition to State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and individual producers, organizations represented at the meeting included the National Sunflower Association, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA Rural Development, North Dakota Stockman’s Association, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, State FSA Office, Northern Canola Growers Association, Ellingson Companies, North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Pork Producers, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Growers, North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, Independent Beef Producers of North Dakota, North Dakota Ethanol Producers, North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives and Farm Credit Services of North Dakota.

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