HURON, S.D.(Press Release)- Wednesday’s announcement that South Dakota Senator John Thune will be Majority Leader is good news for U.S. agriculture said South Dakota Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke.

“Senator Thune understands the importance of agriculture to our state and America. He has always been a great advocate for agriculture and rural communities. We are hopeful, with his leadership, the Farm Bill family farmers and ranchers need will finally get passed,” said Sombke, a fourth-generation family farmer and leader of South Dakota’s largest agriculture organization.

The last Farm Bill was passed in 2018. And with low commodity prices and a growing season interrupted by drought, wildfires and other natural disasters, Sombke said the members he serves are hopeful a new Farm Bill will pass soon.

“The families who raise crops and livestock to feed Americans are struggling to pay their own grocery bills,” Sombke said. “We need the protections and resources provided by a Farm Bill.”