We can't afford another shakeout of family farmers. Then we won't have any left. This is the time to do it.

I have never seen an array of such complicated, interrelated, interwoven programs that you all have to contend with every day and every year of your life.

We believe that now is a historic opportunity for the Senate to pass a farm bill that is based on sensitive goals and realistic outcomes.

I don't oppose the DM&E Railroad. It has got to be structured so that, first of all, it hauls grain commodities rather than coal from Western States through our heartland.

We need to have those kinds of environmental incentives.

We believe it is time to level the playing field here so that farm assistance is spread more equally among all farmers.

I don't have to face anybody's vote for 5-1/2 years, so I just dictate to my conscience and what is best.

I am proposing to say, first of all, instead of bringing 30-, 40-unit coal trains a day through downtown Rochester and other places, it would have a devastating affect on the quality of life and the economy.

We will raise heck anyway.

Thank you for all your years of dedicated leadership.

I have introduced legislation in the Senate for biodiesel incentives.

We have to have opportunity for farmers of all sizes, all philosophies, all styles, to be able to compete and exist in the future.

I can certainly say one thing. Somebody used it earlier. I certainly will fight with all of my might with every way I know how to make sure that this farm bill on the Senate side is as strong a piece of legislation as it can be.

I am going to gavel the hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee officially to order.

We can do it. We are just going to have to fight like hell for it.

Well said.

We need opportunity for everybody if they want to make their living on the land.

Very powerful statement, Tom.