02.06.25

Hoeven Discusses Priorities for Farm Country with U.S. Agriculture Industry Leaders Senator Introduces ND Native Josh Gackle at Senate Ag Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven discussed efforts to advance key priorities for farm country with agriculture industry leaders from across the U.S. The hearing included testimony from leaders in the soybean, sugarbeet, wheat, corn and barley industry, representing crops that are foundational to North Dakota’s agriculture economy. In particular, Hoeven discussed with the witnesses the importance of:

  • Passing a strong farm bill that makes needed investments in the farm safety net, including:
    • Improving the affordability of higher levels of crop insurance coverage, consistent with Hoeven’s FARMER Act.
    • Updating reference prices under the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.
  • Improving access to foreign markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
    • Hoeven stressed that, during his first term, President Trump was able to use tough trade policies like tariffs to remove market barriers in, and improve producer access to, nations like China, Canada and Mexico.
    • The senator highlighted how the president is working to build upon this progress, having already secured initial concessions from Canada and Mexico in ongoing negotiations.

“Our discussion in the Senate Agriculture Committee this week made two things perfectly clear – we need to invest in the farm safety net and producers need better access to free and fair markets,” said Hoeven. “The reality is that the reference prices under ARC and PLC do not reflect the cost of production and need to be updated, while enhancing the affordability of crop insurance will ensure our farmers can recover from natural disasters and challenging markets, mitigating the need for future ad hoc assistance. At the same time, we need to recognize that the U.S. gets taken advantage of in international trade. Our producers deserve a fair deal, and we’re working with President Trump to secure better terms and improved market access in Canada, Mexico, China and elsewhere.”

Among others, the witnesses at the hearing included:

  • Zippy Duval, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
  • Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.
  • Josh Gackle, Chairman of the American Soybean Association and a resident of Kulm, North Dakota.
    • Hoeven introduced Gackle at the hearing, outlining his years-long experience producing a wide variety of crops and his work to advocate on behalf of his fellow farmers.
  • Mr. Tim Deal, Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association.
  • Keeff Felty, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers.
  • Chris Engelstad, President of the National Barley Growers Association.

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