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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

The Profit Factor for MT Farmers and Ranchers in the Farm Bill

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Thursday, April 26, 2007   


Washington D.C. - The Farm Bill could be just the medicine to help return Montana farming and ranching markets to one that reflects economic conditions, and encourages diversity with renewable energy production. The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee is listening to ideas this week. National Farmers Union President Tom Buis has testified that encouraging renewable energy production through the Farm Bill is a win-win proposition.

“[It would mean] bio-diesel, wind energy, and the opportunities for economic gains in rural America, not just for farmers, but for the rural communities.”

Farmers would also like to see the structure of direct farm payments changed to reflect economic conditions. Buis notes that right now, payments are made even if producers don't need them. Some grain and corn growers don't like the idea of changing direct payments, but Buis argues that returning agriculture to a market structure based on the economy is a path to profitability.

“I've never met a farmer or rancher that wouldn't prefer to get their income from the market, as opposed to the government. I strongly urged the committee to continue to move in those directions.”

Buis adds that there's also an opportunity to set up a fund for disaster relief, which is something that doesn't exist now and would mean years of legislative maneuvering and red tape.

“We've been waiting for three years to cover the losses of the 2005 crop year, and that just doesn't make sense.”



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