[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 6, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H7784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WITH FALL HARVEST COMES FALLING PRICES IN FARM COUNTRY AND FALLING 
                     HOPES FOR OUR NATION'S FARMERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, local commodity prices are becoming 
an everyday story for Kansas farmers and ranchers. Last week was no 
exception, with headlines like ``October Farm Prices Show an Abrupt 
Drop'' and ``Farm-Price Index Suffers the Biggest Drop on Record.''
  Last Wednesday, data showed that farmers' prices were reduced the 
largest amount in 1 month, 9.5 percent. The decline between September 
and October is the sharpest month-to-month price drop in 91 years, 
since USDA began recording farm prices in 1910.
  The corn price, $1.79 for October, was down 12 cents from September. 
Twelve cents may not sound like much, but for the State of Kansas, that 
is a loss of $50 million to the State's economy. Soybean prices plunged 
43 cents to $4.10 cents a bushel, 35 cents below the price just 1 year 
ago. For the average Kansas farmer who plants about 150 acres of 
soybeans, that is a 1-month loss of about $1,500 on his or her fall 
harvest.
  Farmers know that grain prices always drop around harvest time, but 
even the Department of Agriculture admitted last week that ``the 
breadth of this downturn is unanticipated.''
  Grain producers were not the only ones affected. The index of meat 
prices fell 4.2 percent, hog prices at $41 per hundredweight declined 
$4.10, and cattle prices fell to $67.50, down $1.50.
  The news of this dramatic price drop is bad not only for agricultural 
producers, but for all of us who depend upon American agriculture for 
the security of our food supply. However, to farmers whose grain 
incomes have grown steadily smaller, it is no surprise, nor is it a 
surprise when the price continues to drop.
  More headlines just from yesterday tell that story: ``Wheat Export 
Commitments Second Lowest on Record,'' ``Corn Sales Lagging.'' Our 
farmers want to be able to continue feeding our Nation and others 
around the globe with the safest, most abundant food supply in the 
world, but with record low prices and trade barriers hindering the 
export market, times are tough in agriculture country.
  My farmers tell me that they want to get their income from the market 
to raise prices through increased exports to willing consumers in 
nations around the globe, yet political barriers distort international 
trade. And so our farmers need short-term assistance just to continue 
farming and to pass the family farm to their sons and daughters.
  The House has acted to assist farmers by passing the Farm Security 
Act last month. Now it is up to the U.S. Senate to realize the need for 
legislation.
  Last Thursday, the Secretary of Agriculture stated that she was 
pleased by the newly developed Senate plans to proceed with a farm bill 
this session. That statement was followed by the President's 
announcement Friday of his appointment of a new special assistant for 
ag trade and food assistance.
  The President said that he is not opposed to signing a farm bill into 
law this year, and the addition to the administration's agriculture 
team is a positive step to further coordinate farm bill efforts between 
Congress and the White House.
  I am encouraged to once again hear the administration's commitment to 
farm policy, and I am glad to see the Senate Committee on Agriculture 
responding by beginning to mark up their version of a farm bill.
  I look forward to working together on farmers' priorities: caring for 
the environment, a farm income safety net, and greater trading 
opportunities.
  With the tragic events of September 11, the battle against terrorism 
is continuing. Our Nation has many vital defense priorities right now 
both at home and abroad. However, food security is one of the most 
important elements of homeland security, and we must not overlook our 
Nation's farmers before this session ends.
  Farmers are counting on us to deliver the promise of a farm bill, and 
with all that they do every day to provide us with food, clothing, and 
shelter, we must not let them down.

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