Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: “I commend Chairman Skeen and Ranking Member Kaptur for the skill and hard work they have put into crafting this…”

“I commend Chairman Skeen and Ranking Member Kaptur for the skill and hard work they have put into crafting this conference report. I also want to recognize the efforts of Agriculture Committee Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Stenholm. They have all shown great sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of our Nation's farmers, and for that I thank them. I rise in strong support of this conference report and urge all my colleagues to vote for it. For months, parched fields forced Texas ranchers to purchase feed or hay for their herds. The dry conditions and the increased demand, however, have made hay scarce and expensive. Texas ranchers are spending an average of $3.5 million a day in extra feed costs to support their herds. Now, many of the remaining hayfields in East Texas are being ravaged by army worms. I commend the committee for raising emergency funding for the livestock feed assistance program from the original $75 million to $175 million. Ranchers in east Texas are cash starved after having to purchase hay all summer, and this cash infusion is sorely needed. All agricultural producers in Texas, not just the ranchers, are suffering through the second severe drought to hit Texas in 3 years. Total farm and ranch losses from the drought are now estimated to reach $2.1 billion statewide, with an overall impact to the State economy estimated at $5.8 billion.”