[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 123 (Wednesday, July 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4874-S4875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Agriculture

  Mr. President, last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
announced that, going forward, agriculture producers will be able to 
hay or graze cover crops on prevented plant acres at any time, without 
a reduction in their prevented planting payments.
  This is good news for farmers around the country but particularly for 
farmers in more northern States like South Dakota, who were left at a 
significant disadvantage by the previous haying and grazing date. I 
have been working on this issue since 2019, when the effects of a tough 
winter, rainfall, and flooding kept many South Dakota farmers from 
their usual planting.
  As a result, many farmers were looking to sow quick cover growing 
crops on the acres they were unable to plant with their usual crops. 
But they faced a problem. At the time, the Department of Agriculture 
would not allow farmers to harvest or graze these cover crops until 
November 1 each year. Farmers who hayed or grazed before this date 
faced a reduction in their prevent planting payments, which are crop 
insurance payments to help them cover their income loss when fields 
can't be planted due to flooding or other issues.
  Now, November 1 was a generally pretty reasonable date for farmers in 
southern States. But in northern States, like South Dakota, November 1 
was often too late for harvesting, thanks to the risk of snow and other 
late fall or early winter storms. It was also too late to maximize the 
use of cover crops for pasture, since the ground could freeze before 
cover crops were fully grazed.
  So I and other Members of Congress successfully lobbied the 
Department of Agriculture to move up the hay and grazing date for 2019. 
But that was a short-term fix, I should say, for a frequent problem. So 
in March of 2020, I introduced, legislation, along with Senator 
Stabenow, to permanently remove the November 1 haying and grazing date. 
And I continued to lobby USDA on this issue.
  I am very pleased that the Department of Agriculture has listened to 
farmers and the Members who represent them and permanently eliminated 
the November 1 date. Cover crops are a win-win situation for farmers 
and for the environment. They prevent soil erosion, which can pollute 
streams and rivers and worsen flooding. They improve soil health, which 
improves future crop yields and benefits the environment. And they 
reduce feed shortages for ag producers by providing another source of 
feed for their livestock.
  Last week's decision by the Department of Agriculture will reduce a 
barrier to cover crop adaptation and ensure that farmers throughout the 
United States are able to reap the benefits of sowing these crops.
  USDA's decision is a big victory--a big victory--for South Dakota 
farmers

[[Page S4875]]

and farmers in other northern States. But, unfortunately, it doesn't 
solve the challenges agriculture producers in my State are facing this 
summer. Right now, almost every acre of land in South Dakota is 
experiencing drought conditions. A huge portion of the State is facing 
a severe drought. And some areas of the State have been classified as 
being in extreme drought. And ag producers in other States are facing 
similar conditions.
  Hay is in short supply. Without adequate forage, some cattle 
producers are being forced to cut down their herds, which is 
devastating for producers who have spent years building their herds. 
Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres can 
help alleviate forage shortages for livestock producers during drought 
years.
  South Dakota has nearly 1.4 million acres enrolled in the 
Conservation Reserve Program--at least at one time that was the number. 
It is not that high anymore. I am a longtime champion of this program, 
which supports both the production, agriculture, and hunting industries 
in South Dakota.
  The Conservation Reserve Program provides critical habitat for 
pheasants and other wildlife, which contributes significantly to our 
State's economy. Haying and grazing CRP acres can also provide a 
lifeline for South Dakota ag producers during droughts like the one 
that our State is currently facing.
  Last month, I sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him 
to release additional Conservation Reserve Program acres to help South 
Dakota producers, many of whom are in desperate need. And while I am 
pleased USDA is currently allowing emergency grazing in many counties, 
emergency CRP haying is not allowed until after the primary nesting 
season ends on August 1, which is too late in a drought year.
  Agriculture is a tough business, and our producers have had to endure 
a tremendous amount over the past few years from tough weather 
conditions, to the COVID pandemic. Cattle producers are also dealing 
with market volatility that has recently provided record-high profit 
margins for meatpackers, while producers struggle to stay in business.
  I will continue pressing the administration and working with my 
colleagues to hold the big four meatpackers accountable to the 
producers and consumers who depend on them. The Department of 
Agriculture should do everything it can to help farmers and ranchers 
weather this drought. And I will keep doing everything I can to get 
relief to producers in my State and around the country.
  I am grateful for the Department of Agriculture's decision on haying 
and grazing on prevented planting acres. And I will keep working to 
ensure that CRP and all USDA programs have the flexibility necessary to 
meet the needs of producers while also making sure we balance the 
wildlife and conservation needs of our State.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.