Lucas Discusses Economic Strain on Farmers during House Ag Hearing

<p><strong>Washington, D.C. –&nbsp;</strong>Today, at a House Agriculture Committee hearing entitled&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://pocjsirab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zeZTA__RQ8Rh94UrRelGJi_MA_Uyg04F0oWctTiIOFxvvikM5M5zikNDGyhpu2Xn9SWjC6iINxWJi68wHlBkzsuYaf5RsfGKX47wsApPBT6nlkihnck06cvndq757gpqeh9oIsBBuAFkAlRAygCsB1eB0tVjJ8u10Hni8ZIbAgrz-sWJPGcjObfZVoozyQJ4iq8tNKpuiJhKtJvzWhAcRi21NaZvPbkE&amp;c=hjoKthv3dqWXNzcH_R7AbuAY1iU5eikSJdJI0dfkf51rsic5IHRHJA==&amp;ch=gy4biESAx3whSn_aNTbawMFHylB7fAn5KaG6bkx-44bIz-QBBkShTA==__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!ILJ72CqjJndd9cVK56MRUYvzZpiBgTdPyEgBLIVV2pSoLdKzh1TS5Ynf5S-OuVo3uAx-imR8K9La9Fv2oauahhFaiv2GeVz8RFf8s4wxhhrXk7OLyeuZZKaG$" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Examining the Economic Crisis in Farm Country</a>, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) discussed the recent economic strain on farmers with witnesses representing different regions and commodity groups. Speaking with Congressman Lucas were:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Dr. John Newton</strong>, Executive Head, Terrain, Washington, D.C. </li>

<li><strong>Ms. Alisha Schwertner</strong>, Owner, Eric and Alisha Schwertner Farms, Miles, TX. </li>

<li><strong>Mr. Ryan Talley, Partner</strong>, Talley Farms, Arroyo Grande, CA on behalf of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. </li>

<li><strong>Mr. Rodney M. Weinzierl</strong>, Owner, Weinzierl Farms, Stanford, IL.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>HIGHLIGHTED QUOTES:</strong></p>

<p><strong>Lucas:&nbsp;</strong><em>&#8220;We’ve spent a lot of time in this room talking about the negative effects of rising input costs on farmers&#8230; Whether it’s labor, fuels, equipment, or land rent, farmers everywhere are feeling the strain&#8230; Dr. Newton, have you ever seen prices go down in your studies or in your life?&#8221;</em></p>

<p><strong>Newton:</strong><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong><strong><em>&#8220;</em></strong><em>When you look across the farm economy&#8230; every single input category is up across the board. We have seen some land values come down a little bit because of where we are in the farm economy, but I think we&#8217;ve entered a new level of where costs are going to be from here on out.&#8221;</em></p>

<p><strong>Congressman Lucas released the following statement following today&#8217;s witness observations:</strong></p>

<p><em>&#8220;After hearing from a group of witnesses that represent a cross section of the Farm Economy, it remains abundantly clear that rising input prices continue to plague farmers and ranchers across the country. Today&#8217;s hearing only emphasizes the urgent need to pass a Farm Bill this Congress. I am grateful to have a Chairman that shares this sentiment and is committed to doing exactly that.&#8221;</em></p>

<p>You can watch Congressman Lucas&#8217;s full Q&amp;A by clicking <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://pocjsirab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zeZTA__RQ8Rh94UrRelGJi_MA_Uyg04F0oWctTiIOFxvvikM5M5zikNDGyhpu2XnByDcG3SMrnik_--JGnWeZM4d52NVB7GCwMqMqADo_ZAinYSNu0oceaNS3WepeJUk9Xk3usTGX3aVNEsNUMrDMO7T1PmgoKuJbAlxfOCbkKAK7qSBxCHMJQ==&amp;c=hjoKthv3dqWXNzcH_R7AbuAY1iU5eikSJdJI0dfkf51rsic5IHRHJA==&amp;ch=gy4biESAx3whSn_aNTbawMFHylB7fAn5KaG6bkx-44bIz-QBBkShTA==__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!ILJ72CqjJndd9cVK56MRUYvzZpiBgTdPyEgBLIVV2pSoLdKzh1TS5Ynf5S-OuVo3uAx-imR8K9La9Fv2oauahhFaiv2GeVz8RFf8s4wxhhrXk7OLydnrEUsb$" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lucas.house.gov/posts/lucas-discusses-economic-strain-on-farmers-during-house-ag-hearing">Lucas Discusses Economic Strain on Farmers during House Ag Hearing</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lucas.house.gov">Frank Lucas</a>.</p>