The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Agriculture (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S4874-S4875 on July 14.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Agriculture
Mr. President, last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that, going forward, agriculture producers will be able to hay or graze cover crops on prevented plant acres at any time, without a reduction in their prevented planting payments.
This is good news for farmers around the country but particularly for farmers in more northern States like South Dakota, who were left at a significant disadvantage by the previous haying and grazing date. I have been working on this issue since 2019, when the effects of a tough winter, rainfall, and flooding kept many South Dakota farmers from their usual planting.
As a result, many farmers were looking to sow quick cover growing crops on the acres they were unable to plant with their usual crops. But they faced a problem. At the time, the Department of Agriculture would not allow farmers to harvest or graze these cover crops until November 1 each year. Farmers who hayed or grazed before this date faced a reduction in their prevent planting payments, which are crop insurance payments to help them cover their income loss when fields can't be planted due to flooding or other issues.
Now, November 1 was a generally pretty reasonable date for farmers in southern States. But in northern States, like South Dakota, November 1 was often too late for harvesting, thanks to the risk of snow and other late fall or early winter storms. It was also too late to maximize the use of cover crops for pasture, since the ground could freeze before cover crops were fully grazed.
So I and other Members of Congress successfully lobbied the Department of Agriculture to move up the hay and grazing date for 2019. But that was a short-term fix, I should say, for a frequent problem. So in March of 2020, I introduced, legislation, along with Senator Stabenow, to permanently remove the November 1 haying and grazing date. And I continued to lobby USDA on this issue.
I am very pleased that the Department of Agriculture has listened to farmers and the Members who represent them and permanently eliminated the November 1 date. Cover crops are a win-win situation for farmers and for the environment. They prevent soil erosion, which can pollute streams and rivers and worsen flooding. They improve soil health, which improves future crop yields and benefits the environment. And they reduce feed shortages for ag producers by providing another source of feed for their livestock.
Last week's decision by the Department of Agriculture will reduce a barrier to cover crop adaptation and ensure that farmers throughout the United States are able to reap the benefits of sowing these crops.
USDA's decision is a big victory--a big victory--for South Dakota farmers and farmers in other northern States. But, unfortunately, it doesn't solve the challenges agriculture producers in my State are facing this summer. Right now, almost every acre of land in South Dakota is experiencing drought conditions. A huge portion of the State is facing a severe drought. And some areas of the State have been classified as being in extreme drought. And ag producers in other States are facing similar conditions.
Hay is in short supply. Without adequate forage, some cattle producers are being forced to cut down their herds, which is devastating for producers who have spent years building their herds. Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres can help alleviate forage shortages for livestock producers during drought years.
South Dakota has nearly 1.4 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program--at least at one time that was the number. It is not that high anymore. I am a longtime champion of this program, which supports both the production, agriculture, and hunting industries in South Dakota.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides critical habitat for pheasants and other wildlife, which contributes significantly to our State's economy. Haying and grazing CRP acres can also provide a lifeline for South Dakota ag producers during droughts like the one that our State is currently facing.
Last month, I sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to release additional Conservation Reserve Program acres to help South Dakota producers, many of whom are in desperate need. And while I am pleased USDA is currently allowing emergency grazing in many counties, emergency CRP haying is not allowed until after the primary nesting season ends on August 1, which is too late in a drought year.
Agriculture is a tough business, and our producers have had to endure a tremendous amount over the past few years from tough weather conditions, to the COVID pandemic. Cattle producers are also dealing with market volatility that has recently provided record-high profit margins for meatpackers, while producers struggle to stay in business.
I will continue pressing the administration and working with my colleagues to hold the big four meatpackers accountable to the producers and consumers who depend on them. The Department of Agriculture should do everything it can to help farmers and ranchers weather this drought. And I will keep doing everything I can to get relief to producers in my State and around the country.
I am grateful for the Department of Agriculture's decision on haying and grazing on prevented planting acres. And I will keep working to ensure that CRP and all USDA programs have the flexibility necessary to meet the needs of producers while also making sure we balance the wildlife and conservation needs of our State.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
