Jerry Moran: “I rise today to address a serious problem facing the First District of Kansas and, indeed, all of rural America. Over…”

“I rise today to address a serious problem facing the First District of Kansas and, indeed, all of rural America. Over the past 2 years, prices for wheat and other major agricultural commodities have been in a free-fall. Cash wheat today in Dodge City, Kansas, closed at $2.86 per bushel. That is almost $2 less per bushel than just 1 year ago and other commodities have experienced similar price declines. Soon the combines will start their annual trek north from the Great Plains of Texas to Canada. If current harvest projections hold true, a large U.S. wheat crop will put further downward pressure on already depressed prices. While there is no silver bullet, there are several important steps the President and Congress can take to improve the economic outlook for this Nation's farmers and ranchers. According to USDA, exports are predicted to be down at least $4 billion this year. This is a clear signal that Congress and the President must be aggressive in opening markets and promoting agricultural exports.”