"Producers are putting crops in the ground, and they deserve some certainty on what shape farm programs are going to take and they need it now. This bill has been delayed for far too long – it was filibustered by Republicans at the end of last session, debated for weeks on the floor at the beginning of this session, and now I fear it is being held hostage by those conferees unwilling to compromise.

While negotiators have had some productive discussions over the course of the last week, those talks have taken several steps back. The House's unwillingness to meet halfway on several key provisions is seriously jeopardizing passage of a good farm bill that gives farmers and ranchers the certainty they need and deserve.

It is inexplicable that the House has refused to accept reasonable compromises on a balanced and reliable economic safety net for crop producers, critical provisions that ensure fair competition for livestock producers, disaster assistance for those impacted by droughts and floods last year, and common-sense commodity payment reforms that will benefit family farms and America's taxpayers.

Also, the Senate bill corrected a serious imbalance in the current farm bill by increasing marketing loan rates, which I believe are the best income protection for producers. Thus far, the House seems to be unwilling to correct this problem, instead largely keeping in place the current broken system.

A farm bill is not just about crop producers. Livestock producers also need reforms to ensure fair competition. Senator Tim Johnson's country of origin labeling and ban on packer ownership would give independent producers the opportunity to compete in a fair, competitive marketplace. The House has refused to accept meaningful reforms on either of these issues, leaving independent producers in the lurch.

Additionally, disaster assistance in the Senate bill is essential in order to take care of the critical needs producers face due to drought and floods last year.

Any successful negotiation requires the cooperation of both parties. Despite our willingness to compromise on the spending within commodity programs, reforms in livestock markets, and common-sense payment limitations in the interest of getting a good bill, our House colleagues have refused to reach an agreement.

I am also disappointed that the Administration – which has been totally missing in action on this Farm Bill – now feels the need to take partisan potshots that hamper completion of the bill. I hope that when President Bush is in South Dakota next week he will take the time to listen to the concerns of South Dakota's farmers and ranchers.

Finally, I remain hopeful that we can still re-engage in these discussions with a renewed commitment to completing a balanced bill that benefits farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans across the country. We all owe rural America at least that much."