Story by Jesse Allen and Susan Littlefield
(MITCHELL, SD) – The Farm Bill was one of many topics of discussion this week at the 30th annual Dakotafest in Mitchell, SD. With low commodity prices and a struggling farm economy overall, many producers are feeling the stress and looking for more certainty on trade, farm programs and more. And that’s beyond what was passed in the One Big, Beautiful Bill back in July on Capitol Hill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) took part in the South Dakota Congressional Delegation Forum this week and he says he is hopeful that what’s left of the Farm Bill can get done this fall when Congress returns to Capitol Hill.
“Well, we’ll see. I mean, I think that, you know, obviously, a lot of the farm bill, as we said, got done in Reconciliation,” according to Thune. “We just got the majority in January, and the previous two years, when Democrats had the majority, they didn’t even mark the bill up to the committee. So I’m hoping what’s left of the farm bill, we can get the Ag Committee to mark it up, and get it on the floor, and finish up the pieces of it that didn’t get done in the Reconciliation bill earlier this year. But, obviously, we need farm bills in South Dakota, a lot of commodity prices are all-time lows, input costs that are all-time highs. Farmers are losing money every year, and that’s not a sustainable business model for agriculture. So we’ve got to get more demand out there, and we’ve also got to make sure our safety net programs and risk management programs are working well, and as effectively as intended. But we did get those extended for five years in the Reconciliation bill.”
And in terms of having the 60 votes needed to pass a Farm Bill in the Senate, the Majority Leader believes it is possible.
“Well, I think that 60 votes on a farm bill shouldn’t be that hard,” says Thune. “In the past, farm bills were hard. They divide, geographically, the country, but typically, they haven’t been all that good until a couple of years ago. But I think that we can get 60 votes on a farm bill, if we can get the Ag Committee to mark the bill up, get input from the Democrats, obviously, on things they want to see in there. These, historically, have been bipartisan, and I think it can be, and I hope it will be. But a lot of what we got in the Reconciliation bill is going to be good for the next five years.”
And Thune believes that for all intents and purposes, they have until the end of the calendar year if necessary, to get the Farm Bill across the finish line. The Majority Leader also acknowledged that the issue of tariffs, in the face of the current farm economy, is a top priority for farmers and ranchers.
“It’s a big issue, and the Administration, the Department of Agriculture, like I said, I wish the Secretary had been here today. They’re going to have to step up their game when it comes to trying to get these ag fronts into these trade deals,” says Thune. “I know she’s very passionate about that. I think they’re working it hard, and I think the President is a big believer. But, you know, we’re going to have to see the evidence of that in some of the deals that they strike. Clearly, for all of us here in South Dakota, because we rely so heavily on China, that’s a big move. And I’m hoping they can get a deal there that will increase our opportunity to export opening markets. I said earlier today, a trilateral deal with Japan and South Korea, to me, would be a great way to leverage other opportunities around the globe, too.
Senator Thune added that “I’m a big believer in opening markets. Through the years, I’ve had some questions with regard to tariffs, but I think the President deserves a chance to see what kind of deals he can strike. And I think, for the most part, farmers and ranchers here in South Dakota have been patient on that, but we’re going to need to see some results, hopefully soon.”
Another issue discussed during the Congressional Forum was the topic of M-COOL, otherwise known as Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. Senator Thune, along with Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) who also took part in this week’s forum, are leading the effort on an issue that is a big topic for many ranchers. And Thune believes that it might get included in the Farm Bill.
“Well, I think it will. Mike’s (Senator Rounds) talked about that in his remarks. I’m for that. I’ve got a bill,” said Thune. “As Senator Rounds pointed out, I serve on the Ag Committee. We would love to get M-COOL included in the farm bill, and we’ve been looking for opportunities to do that. But the last two years, we didn’t have a farm bill. So, if we at least get one considered in the Ag Committee, that will give us a chance to have our argument, have the debate, and see where the votes are. But I’m for it. Senator Rounds has been a leader on that issue. And, you know, when it comes to Western South Dakota, it’s an issue that people are very passionate about.”
