The future of Agriculture is what the 2007 Farm Bill is all about.

That's how US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns describes the debate over new federal farm legislation in Washington.

Johanns addressed a forum on farming held at the Ag Expo today at the State Fair Center in Minot.

Johanns made his pre-recorded comments from Washington to begin the forum.

Then, North Dakota's congressional delegation and the state's ag commissioner chimed in with the details they want covered by the new farm bill.

Senator Byron Dorgan said he would re-introduce a disaster bill to pay producers who lost money due to flooding and drought in the past two growing seasons.

He's gotten the bill passed in the full Senate twice, but it has been dropped due to a veto threat from the White House.

(Sen. Byron Dorgan, -D- ND) "It's not just a matter of wanting to get it done, we need to get this done. We're doing things all around the world. Every place there's trouble we say, 'let us help.' How about helping here at home? How about making this a priority? We're not going to quit so stay tuned and you're going to see votes."


After Senator Kent Conrad addressed the group via satellite, Congressman Earl Pomeroy took the mic and said the new farm bill must not try to micro-manage farming, but rather should protect farmers against risks they can't control.

(Rep. Earl Pomeroy, -D- ND) "Those risks are, market price collapse, so you can't get the money to cover your expenses out of hauling your crop to the elevator, and secondly, production loss crop failure, and there are two components to that: crop insurance and disaster assistance."


Senator Conrad said he's been told by Democratic leadership that the 2007 Farm Bill will come to the House and Senate floor in July. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list