Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) this week in a bipartisan, bicameral effort urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide support and certainty to producers facing disruptions in spring planting due to excess moisture. The senators made the case for Vilsack to offset any loss in the crop insurance guarantee for producers that are unable to get into the field until after the final planting date, citing the slow pace of planting nationwide and stressing the need to incentivize greater U.S. agriculture production to help address global food security needs.
“Farmers across our states are struggling to plant crops as a result of significant late spring precipitation,” said the senators. “Under current policies and absent a dramatic improvement in weather conditions, unplanted acres in our region will be significant. These delays come at a time of great concern for global food supplies. USDA’s May 12th World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) show global wheat stocks tightening due to the war in Ukraine and weather challenges in the U.S. Additionally, India’s recent decisions regarding wheat exports continues to disrupt markets and adds uncertainty to global supplies. Leaving thousands of acres unplanted across the Upper Midwest will worsen this already perilous situation.”
Senators Cramer, Hoeven, and Klobuchar are joined by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Pete Stauber (R-MN).
Click here to read the letter.