MITCHELL, S.D.(KMIT)- Members of Congress representing South Dakota appeared Wednesday at DakotaFest in Mitchell.

Senator John Thune on the Farm Bill:

Senator Thune spoke at a forum at Dakotafest and one of the topics of discussion was the Farm Bill, or more accurately, the lack of one in the Senate.  Senator Thune explained that the farm bill has many facets to it.

An audience member wanted to know why the farm bill wasn’t split in two, one dealing explicitly with farm and production issues while the other lays out nutrition issues and programs.  Senator Thune explains:

A Farm Bill has been passed out of the House Agriculture Committee but has not yet been taken up on the House floor.  The Senate has taken no action, in committees or otherwise.

Senator Mike Rounds on the Farm Bill:

Unlike Senator John Thune, Senator Mike Rounds does not sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee.  However, Senator Rounds recently detailed at an Ag Forum what he’d like to see in the Farm Bill that replaces the current measure.

Senator Rounds acknowledged the importance of good farm practices and protecting the environment, but he says sometimes the government goes too far with their regulations.  He cites an example:

The Senate has had no markups, held no hearings and taken no action on a new Farm Bill yet.

Congressman Dusty Johnson on the Importance of Ag to South Dakota

Trade is essential to the economic health of farmers.  That trade is significant to ag producers in South Dakota.  Congressman Dusty Johnson explains:

The United States ran a trade deficit of $17 billion in agriculture last year.  That deficit is expected to double this year.  Many things impact the economic well-being of farmers and international trade plays a big part in farmers’ prosperity.