Senator John Thune calls for new legislation to support farmers and ranchers

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Agriculture is a prominent and significant industry in South Dakota.

Many farmers and ranchers in the state have clamored for government support on a national level, and Wednesday’s statement from Senator John Thune seemed to be an important development.

Many agricultural professionals were pleased with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill. In November, President Biden signed legislation to keep this Bill’s provisions active through September 2024.

However, agriculture is an ever-changing industry, and some farmers and ranchers hope to see newer legislation come along to address growing problems. In an address to President Biden and his colleagues, Senator John Thune spoke for over five minutes on this topic.

“Mr. President, as I said, while I’m glad we have extended key provisions of the 2018 farm bill through this growing season, we are overdue for a full, updated multi-year farm bill,” said Senator Thune. He also commented on how agricultural measures had previously been more of a bipartisan topic, but he now feels Republican lawmakers are doing more to forward the conversation.

Back at home, Thune’s constituents in the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association agree with his talking points, but they hope for faster progress. Doris Lauing, the Association’s Executive Director, spoke passionately about issues that South Dakotan ranchers face.

“There’s been inflation, there’s been weather, there’s been a decrease in our net income,” said Lauing. “Our input costs are still skyrocketing and expected to skyrocket. So, it makes it really tough for producers to have a safety or security net without this farm bill.”

It remains to be seen if new agriculture legislation will come on a national level, but Senator Thune’s comments should serve as a conversation starter.

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