John Thune: “there is not much in our lives that doesn't depend in some way on agriculture: the food on our table, the gas in our…”

“there is not much in our lives that doesn't depend in some way on agriculture: the food on our table, the gas in our car, the cotton in our shirts. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our country. I am grateful for the men and women who rise before the dawn for a hard day's work on farms and ranches across America. Agriculture is a difficult way of life. It is filled with uncertainty. Storms, drought, or an early freeze can wipe out entire crops or herds, sometimes in an instant. There is market volatility, processing and transportation challenges, and the list goes on. The last few years have been especially challenging for America's farmers and ranchers. They face declining commodity prices, higher input costs, and higher interest rates, not to mention the natural disasters that have struck many parts of the country. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall recently told the Agriculture Committee that ``in 2025, farmers will plant one of the most expensive crops ever.'' Many commodity producers are bracing for the prospect of serious financial losses this year. These challenges are real. That is why last December Congress approved relief funding for agriculture producers hit by economic headwinds as well as those affected by natural disasters. Secretary Rollins committed to getting these funds out the door quickly during her confirmation hearing.…”