USDA Continues Farm Bill Listening Sessions

August 5, 2005

August 5, 2005 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced this week additional listening sessions that will be part of the nationwide farm bill listening tour, which include Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Indiana.
Johanns and other U.S. Department of Agriculture officials will host the following Farm Bill Forums:

Aug. 11, Iowa State Fair ? Secretary Johanns
Aug. 12, Fresno County Fairgrounds ? Secretary Johanns
Aug. 16, Penn State University?s Ag Progress Days, Secretary Johanns
Aug. 17, Jackson Hole, Wyo. ? Under Secretary Rey
Aug. 18, Indianapolis, Ind. ? Deputy Secretary Conner

?Sheep industry leaders interested in participating in the sessions have mentioned the need to comment on key programs including re-authorization of the wool loan deficiency program,? comments Peter Orwick, executive director for the American Sheep Industry Association. ?The wool LDP should be legislated at the $1.20 per lb. base loan rate rather than the $1.00 per lb. in the current legislation. This increase, as supported by research and industry testimony in 2002, would benefit all producers and allow the program to operate as intended. Additionally, producers have mentioned that the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center is due for re-authorization.?
Details of the forums can be found at: www.usda.gov/farmbill.

<< Back