Agriculture
More on Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the Western Caucus released the following statements after Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced the delisting of the gray wolf in the lower 48 states.
Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the PRICE Act, a bill that provides greater price reporting and transparency, comprehensive risk management solutions, bolsters small processor and producer-owned cooperative processing opportunities, and updates the Packer and Stockyards Act to create a cattle contract library.
Throughout my first two years in Congress, I’ve heard from cattle producers struggling with a volatile market and unpredictable pricing. It’s no secret to our producers – the 2019 Holcomb fire and COVID-19 disrupted the cattle market and exposed cracks in our supply chain.
Last year, after urging from Agriculture state members like myself, Senator Thune, and Senator Rounds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced an investigation into the cattle market. Part of that investigative report was released over the summer.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the PRICE Act, a bill that will increase transparency in the cattle market, improve risk management, and support new and expanding meat processors. Earlier this year, the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) made a statement following President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $14 billion for agriculture producers still struggling from COVID-19 supply chain disruption. The second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin September 21 and run through December 11, 2020.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, respectively, today issued the following statements after the U.S.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act – this bill authorized a critical pandemic program for American families – the Farmers to Families Food Box. Since March, more than 62 million families across the country have received food boxes.
Rep. Dusty Johnson stood in the Slumberland parking lot late Wednesday afternoon, preparing for a shift of helping out with the latest food box giveaway at the Mitchell Food Pantry.
“This is where the rubber really hits the road,” Johnson told the Mitchell Republic. “This is where all the lofty ideas in Washington, D.C. actually get deployed in helping families in need.”
Billions of dollars have been wiped off the balance sheets of the nation’s ethanol producers as demand for gasoline during the pandemic “cratered,” the head of the American Coalition for Ethanol said Wednesday.
Brian Jennings, the group’s CEO, predicted that pre-pandemic demand for gasoline won’t return until 2022. Until then, the industry is looking to expand into other markets and hoping to offset domestic production barriers with international trade.
JBS, the Brazilian meat company, is planning to convert a Colorado lamb processing company to beef, leaving the sheep industry without a processing plant for 350,000 lambs in the western states, according to local media reports.
JBS USA Holdings Inc. was expected to close on its purchase of the Mountain States Rosen lamb processing facility in Greeley, Colo., on Friday, but senators and house members from five western states have asked the Justice Department to intervene in the purchase.
The results of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation, launched by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue August 2019, has been eagerly awaited by many in the cattle industry.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) release of the “Box Beef & Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report.” This investigation was announced by USDA Secretary Perdue on August 29, 2019, following the Holcomb, Kansas fire and was expanded to cover COVID-19 after the cattle market faced price disruption.
Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations Subcommittee held a hearing to review the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box program. After the hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) and Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) released the following remarks:
Washington, D.C. – Today, during the House Agriculture Committee’s Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations Subcommittee hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Ibach on the ongoing investigation into the cattle markets following the Holcomb, Kansas fire in 2019.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Madam Chair.
When Secretary Perdue announced the creation of the Farmers to Families Food Box program, I was excited.
This was a way to expeditiously assist producers—many of whom were plowing over crops or dumping milk because of supply chain disruptions—as well as consumers who found themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and in great need.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and U.S. Reps.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act. This legislation will allow state inspected meat to be sold across state lines through e-commerce, allowing small producers and processors more options to directly market to consumers.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief COVID-19 Act to support small meatpacking plants working overtime during COVID-19. Amid large plant closures, small packing plants have extended hours to ensure our supply chain keeps moving – this comes with added costs.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), both members of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address the urgent issues facing America’s agriculture economy and food supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Farming Support to States Act would provide states access to immediate, flexible funding to ensure farmers and rural businesses have the tools needed to respond and rebuild more resilient supply chains right here in South Dakota. U.S.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today signed onto the Agricultural Security Risk Review Act, a bipartisan bill which would formally name the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The Agricultural Security Risk Review Act would allow USDA to analyze any foreign investment into our nation’s food supply.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow meat and poultry products that have been inspected by state-approved meat and poultry inspection programs to be donated or sold across state lines.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following President Trump’s announcement of a Department of Justice investigation into the cattle markets.
“Beef is flying off the shelves, while our cattle producers can barely make ends meet. Something doesn’t add up,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful after calls from Midwest members, the president is ramping up this investigation for cattle country. COVID-19 has exposed the cracks in our supply chain.
Washington, D.C. – Along with 24 of his U.S. House colleagues, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to provide the findings of the agency’s beef pricing investigation to Congress as soon as possible. Following the announcement of the USDA’s Packers and Stockyard Division investigation in August of 2019, Secretary Perdue extended USDA’s investigation last month to determine the causes of divergence between live beef and box prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order on U.S. supply chains:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Austin Scott (GA-08), along with several House colleagues, introduced legislation to increase funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) response to COVID-19. The legislation would provide an additional $50 billion for USDA to expand relief efforts for farmers and ranchers. Click here to read the full bill.
Over the past weeks and months, we have stress-tested our economy, our health care system, and the resilience of the American people. This pandemic has also tested our food supply systems. While we fully expect grocery store shelves to remain stocked, it does not mean there won’t be impacts further up the chain, especially for South Dakota farmers and ranchers.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today applauded a deal that will refill funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In South Dakota, more than 11,324 small businesses received funding through the PPP, amounting to over $1.37 billion in loans. The deal is headed to the president’s desk.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today applauded a congressional deal that will refill funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and expand eligibility for farmers and ranchers to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). Agricultural businesses with less than 500 employees will be eligible for the EIDL program.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to take immediate action to assist pork producers and maintain the pork food supply chain. The letter follows the closure of the Smithfield processing plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Smithfield also recently announced the closure of its plant in Martin City, Missouri, which receives raw materials from the Sioux Falls plant.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) joined House Agriculture Committee Republicans and Ranking Member Conaway in urging the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure SBA approved lenders are not wrongfully turning eligible farmers and ranchers away when applying for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today urged President Trump to oversee a comprehensive, multi-agency investigation following continuous cattle market volatility. In 2019, Johnson urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide a thorough investigation to producers following cattle market volatility after the August 2019 Holcomb, Kansas, Tyson beef processing plant fire.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting that he provide immediate assistance to cattle producers by using the resources provided in the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stabilization (CARES) Act, including the replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and additional emergency funding.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today issued a statement following the bipartisan passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Previously, Johnson supported two legislative packages to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and provide federal reimbursement to small employers for paid sick and emergency leave provided to their employees. Rep.
Q: Will I receive a $1,200 check from the federal government to help with the economic stress of COVID-19?
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes provisions the delegation helped secure to support South Dakota farmers and ranchers. Specifically, the CARES Act includes $14 billion to replenish the U.S. Department of Agriculture Commodity Credit Corporation.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Roger Marshall M.D. (R-KS) today urged U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to ensure relief for rural America, specifically cattle ranchers, is included in any Phase III COVID-19 stimulus agreement.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today urged the United States Small Business Administration to grant South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s request to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) praised the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) decision to expand commercial drivers’ hours-of-service during the national COVID-19 pandemic.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the department to take all necessary steps to ensure there are no disruptions to our nation’s food supply chain as we combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) commended U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Purdue who stated, in response to committee questioning by Johnson, that USDA was considering new Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) labeling standards for beef.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address safety concerns following the USDA decision to lift a ban on Brazilian beef into the U.S. The U.S. suspended imports in 2017 following several public health concerns.
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is a concept that is often lost in Congress, however, this week was the exception. Legislation unanimously passed the House that will work to protect our borders and our number one industry – agriculture.
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is a concept that is often lost in Congress, however, this week was the exception. Legislation unanimously passed the House that will work to protect our borders and our number one industry – agriculture.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Darren Soto (D-FL) today introduced the Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act, a bill which would formalize a regulatory framework for food derived from cell-cultured technology.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today attended the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement at the White House.
“USMCA is the win for producers we’ve been working towards for nearly two years,” said Johnson. “South Dakota’s farmers want a level playing field, and that’s exactly what this free trade agreement provides. I was proud to stand by the president during today’s signing of the USMCA, and I look forward to seeing the added jobs and trade opportunities this agreement will bring to our nation’s economy.”
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Representative Dusty Johnson says this is a difficult time for farmers.
The past few weeks, Johnson has been traveling across South Dakota talking to producers and hearing their concerns. He says we are in the fifth year of declining farm revenue and that Chinese tariffs on commodities like soybeans have put a strain on farmers.
At the end of this month, the 62nd annual Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo will be taking place in Rapid City. An estimated 331,000 people from all over the country will descend on Western South Dakota, making it the second largest annual event in South Dakota.