[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 9 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Blunt):
  S. 141. A bill to make supplemental agricultural disaster assistance 
available for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, last year the U.S. experienced the most 
severe and extensive drought in at least 25 years.
  While the impacts of the drought affected both crop and livestock 
sectors, our commodity farmers have had some protection under crop 
insurance. With the House not passing a 5 year reauthorization of the 
Farm Bill last year, we have left one sector of agriculture to fend for 
themselves.
  Our ranchers across the country and in my home State of Montana have 
experienced the most extensive drought since the 1950. About 80 percent 
of agricultural land experienced drought in 2012.
  As last year came and went, a drought stretched across the United 
States.
  Wheat and corn fields dried up. Without enough forage, ranchers faced 
the decision to either to sell their herds or purchase extra feed, 
cutting into their thin margins.
  As of this week, over 2,000 counties have been designated as drought 
disaster areas by the USDA.
  In my state of Montana, 36 counties, or well over half of our State, 
are in disaster. Compound that with one of the worst droughts in recent 
history and our cattle and sheep producers are hanging on by a thread.
  Where our corn, wheat, and soybean farmers have crop insurance as a 
backstop, we have left our ranchers without any assistance.
  Pastureland last year was scarce and the cost of feed, when it was 
even available, was often unaffordable. Many ranchers are responding by 
culling their herds.
  That is why I have introduced the supplemental agricultural disaster 
assistance. This bill takes the three livestock disaster program I 
created in the 2008 Farm Bill and extends them for 2012 and 2013 
losses.
  Covering losses from 2012 and 2013 will give our livestock producers 
some assistance through one of the worst droughts anyone in this 
chamber can remember. It will also cover our ranchers until the House 
and Senate can complete the 2013 Farm Bill.
  These livestock disaster programs expired in September 2011, leaving 
our livestock producers with no safety net. For over a year and a half, 
through one of the worst droughts in recent memory, our producers have 
been left to fend for themselves.
  Congress must make the responsible decision and pass this standalone 
bill I introduce today with Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwomen of the 
Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator Roy Blunt.
  We must do our jobs and pass this basic safety net for ranchers.
                                 ______