New Farm Bill Crucial For Livestock Losses

South Dakota Sen. Thune says getting a Farm Bill passed is one of the most important actions Congress can take to help western South Dakota ranchers who lost thousands of cattle in the weekend blizzard. Some ranchers have reported as much as 50% or more of their cattle died after rain was followed by heavy snow and winds up to 60 mph.

Thune has called on House Speaker John Boehner to appoint members to a committee to hammer out the differences in the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill so Congress can get the legislation passed.

Thune is also calling on Ag Secretary Vilsack to reopen Farm Service Agency offices to help assess the livestock losses because of the blizzard, but Thune adds, without a Farm Bill and its livestock disaster program, there is no help that officials can offer to ranchers.