FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2006
Subcommittee Hears from Missouri & Arkansas Producers
Chairman Hayes Convenes Hearing to Review Agriculture Programs
SPRINGFIELD, MO – On Monday, Rep. Robin Hayes, Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture, convened a hearing in Springfield, Missouri to hear from Missouri and Arkansas’s agricultural producers about current farm policy and gather input about future farm policy. This is the Subcommittee’s second field hearing to review agriculture programs in anticipation of reauthorizing the 2002 Farm Bill next year.
“On Monday, we heard from a variety of producers representing Missouri and Arkansas’s diverse agricultural portfolio and gathered some excellent feedback about how current farm policy is working for our farmers and ranchers in practice. I was happy to be in Rep. Blunt’s district for the hearing as I’ve heard much about Missouri’s agriculture from my colleague in our discussions about the future of farm policy. Rep. Blunt is a strong advocate for Missouri agriculture and, in his role in the House Leadership, is a strong asset to agriculture since he understands the importance of agriculture to our nation’s economy and security,” said Subcommittee Chairman Hayes.
With 106,000 farms, Missouri ranks second in the nation in its number of farms. The state also ranks second in beef cow and hay production. Livestock production is a strong component of Missouri’s agricultural output with 7 percent of U.S. cattle operations and 4 percent of U.S. hog operations located in the state. Additionally, Missouri’s producers are responsible for producing 10 percent of the nation’s turkeys. In 2005, Missouri farmers and ranchers produced and sold $5.82 billion worth of crops, livestock, poultry and aquaculture. In the neighboring state of Arkansas, livestock production is also a strong component of the state’s agricultural output. Broilers are the state’s leading farm product and beef cattle production is the leading livestock product.
The hearing was hosted by Rep. Roy Blunt who represents Missouri’s 7th Congressional district.
“I am pleased that House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Livestock and Horticulture Subcommittee Chairman Robin Hayes came to Southwest Missouri as the Committee prepares to draft a Farm Bill next year,” said Rep. Roy Blunt. “Holding the field hearing in Springfield, Missouri allowed Mr. Hayes’s Livestock and Horticulture Subcommittee the opportunity to listen to the nation’s leading producers in livestock, poultry and specialty crops.”
In July, the House Committee on Agriculture completed its series of 11 field hearings to review federal farm policy as it prepares to reauthorize the omnibus farm bill legislation later next year. The Subcommittee will be hearing from producers in various regions of the country the Full Committee did not visit in its farm bill field hearing series. The Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture maintains oversight over programs, inspections, and marketing involving livestock, poultry, meat, seafood and seafood products, and fruits and vegetables, as well as aquaculture, animal welfare, and grazing. These programs, as well as a variety of other farm bill programs, play a significant role in agricultural production in both Missouri and Arkansas.
“There are a variety of challenges the Committee faces in compiling the next farm bill including budgetary constraints, uncertainty with the current international trade negotiations, and natural disasters among other things. Our goal is to provide producers with the safety net they need to continue to produce the safest, most affordable food supply in the world. I appreciate Subcommittee Chairman Hayes for convening a hearing in Springfield to hear what farmers and ranchers in this part of the country have to say about the future of farm policy,” said Chairman Bob Goodlatte who also attended yesterday’s hearing.
The Subcommittee heard from two panels of witnesses representing Missouri and Arkansas agriculture including livestock, dairy, crop, and specialty crop producers. “One issue that continues to get a lot of attention is establishing a national animal identification program. Producers expressed a need to have clear details from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about how a program will work and we will continue to encourage USDA to lay out a transparent plan so producers know what to expect,” said Chairman Hayes.
Witness testimony is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be available on the Committee website 4-6 weeks following the hearing.
Witness List
Panel I
Mr. Howard Hardecke, Cattle Producer, Bolivar, Missouri
Mr. Gene Pharr, Poultry and Cattle Producer, Lincoln, Arkansas
Mr. Randy Mooney, Dairy Producer, Rogersville, Missouri
Mr. Jerry Hunton, Poultry and Cattle Producer, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Panel II
Mr. Ron Hardecke, Hog, Cattle, Corn and Soybean Producer, Owensville, Missouri
Mr. Will Spargo, Rice and Soybean Producer, Neelyville, Missouri
Mr. Cory Bomgaars, Grape and Wine Producer, Rocheport, Missouri
Mr. Billy Thiel, Corn, Soybean and Cattle Producer, Malta Bend, Missouri
###