Liz Friedlander (202) 225-1564
Liz.Friedlander@mail.house.gov

James Ryder (202) 225-0020
James.Ryder@mail.house.gov

LUBBOCK, Texas - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson held a field hearing in Lubbock, Texas to review U.S. agriculture policy as the Committee begins the process of writing the 2012 Farm Bill. This is the seventh in a series of hearings scheduled across the country to consider new ideas regarding Federal food and farm policy. Eight Members of Congress attended today’s hearing and heard testimony from thirteen witnesses on a variety of farm policy issues.

“When they say ‘everything is bigger in Texas,’ you can include agriculture in that because Texans produce more than $21 million in agriculture products every year.” Chairman Peterson said. “We need to be sure that the Farm Bill is meeting the needs of Texas farmers.”

According to U.S Department of Agriculture statistics, Texas ranks first in the nation in cotton, cattle, and sheep and goat production. More than 6.5 million acres of land in Texas are enrolled in USDA conservation programs.

Approximately 300 members of the community attended the hearing, including local agriculture producers and leaders. House Agriculture Committee Members attending the hearing included: Chairman Peterson; Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas; Congressman Travis Childers of Mississippi; Congressman Mike Rogers of Alabama; Congressman Randy Neugebauer of Texas who serves as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry; Congressman K. Michael Conaway of Texas who serves as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture; Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska; and Congressman Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania.

“Thanks to the Agriculture Committee, Texas Tech University and the producers from Texas who participated in the hearing for making this day a success.  As we heard from the producers today, Texas has a diverse and productive agriculture sector, and Texas producers have useful feedback for us when it comes to current and future agriculture policy,” Congressman Randy Neugebauer said. “I encourage my colleagues to keep what they heard here today in mind as the Ag Committee moves forward with laying the groundwork for responsive farm policy in the future that allows producers to continue to meet the needs of American consumers and a growing population around the world.”

“The 2012 Farm Bill is vitally important to the thousands of Texas farmers and ranchers in my home state. That is why it is critically important for us to hear first-hand from these individuals as we begin the process of writing the bill,” Congressman Henry Cuellar said. “This ensures Texas has a voice in shaping the 2012 Farm Bill.” 

“Today’s hearing provided excellent first-hand testimony on how our federal policies are affecting individual producers and businesses within the agriculture industry. I am thankful to not only to our witnesses but the many Texas producers who took the time to come and attend the Farm Bill hearing,” Congressman Michael Conaway said. “We must make certain that our farmers and ranchers have an adequate safety net and the proper resources necessary to continue providing the American public with world’s most affordable and abundant food and fiber supply. In order to do so it is imperative that Congress listen to the thoughts and concerns of industry experts and producers as we move closer to drafting a new Farm Bill. I will continue to listen to the producers and constituents of Texas District 11 as their elected representative and continue to voice the concerns and advocate their positions in the people’s House of Representatives.”

Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.

To receive updated schedule and news information from the House Agriculture, please visit the House Committee on Agriculture website to sign up for email updates: http://agriculture.house.gov/Eupdates/updates.html. 

Witness List:

Panel I

Mr. Brad Bouma, dairy producer, Plainview, Texas

Mr. Jimbo Grissom, peanut producer, Seminole, Texas

Mr. John Lackey, citrus producer, Weslaco, Texas

Mr. Ronnie Holt, cotton, corn and sorghum producer and crop insurance agent, Muleshoe, Texas

Mr. Joe Parker, Jr., cattle producer, Byers, Texas

Mr. Dale Murden, sugarcane, citrus, vegetable, soybean and sorghum producer, Monte Alto, Texas

Panel II

Mr. Billy Bob Brown, irrigated and dryland wheat, sorghum and beef producer, Panhandle, Texas

Mr. Brad Heffington, cotton, corn and sorghum producer, Littlefield, Texas

Mr. David Cleavinger, wheat, corn, cotton and grain producer, Wildorado, Texas

Mr. Lowell Raun Jr., rice producer, El Campo, Texas

Mr. Doyle Schniers, cotton producer, San Angelo, Texas

Mr. Dan Smith, sorghum producer, Lockney, Texas

Mr. Dee Vaughan, corn, soybean, wheat, cotton and sorghum producer, Dumas, Texas

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