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The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. MORAN) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, local commodity prices are becoming an everyday story for Kansas farmers and ranchers. Last week was no exception, with headlines like ``October Farm Prices Show an Abrupt Drop'' and ``Farm-Price Index Suffers the Biggest Drop on Record.''
Last Wednesday, data showed that farmers' prices were reduced the largest amount in 1 month, 9.5 percent. The decline between September and October is the sharpest month-to-month price drop in 91 years, since USDA began recording farm prices in 1910.
The corn price, $1.79 for October, was down 12 cents from September. Twelve cents may not sound like much, but for the State of Kansas, that is a loss of $50 million to the State's economy. Soybean prices plunged 43 cents to $4.10 cents a bushel, 35 cents below the price just 1 year ago. For the average Kansas farmer who plants about 150 acres of soybeans, that is a 1-month loss of about $1,500 on his or her fall harvest.
Farmers know that grain prices always drop around harvest time, but even the Department of Agriculture admitted last week that ``the breadth of this downturn is unanticipated.''
Grain producers were not the only ones affected. The index of meat prices fell 4.2 percent, hog prices at $41 per hundredweight declined $4.10, and cattle prices fell to $67.50, down $1.50.
The news of this dramatic price drop is bad not only for agricultural producers, but for all of us who depend upon American agriculture for the security of our food supply. However, to farmers whose grain incomes have grown steadily smaller, it is no surprise, nor is it a surprise when the price continues to drop.
More headlines just from yesterday tell that story: ``Wheat Export Commitments Second Lowest on Record,'' ``Corn Sales Lagging.'' Our farmers want to be able to continue feeding our Nation and others around the globe with the safest, most abundant food supply in the world, but with record low prices and trade barriers hindering the export market, times are tough in agriculture country.
My farmers tell me that they want to get their income from the market to raise prices through increased exports to willing consumers in nations around the globe, yet political barriers distort international trade. And so our farmers need short-term assistance just to continue farming and to pass the family farm to their sons and daughters.
The House has acted to assist farmers by passing the Farm Security Act last month. Now it is up to the U.S. Senate to realize the need for legislation.
Last Thursday, the Secretary of Agriculture stated that she was pleased by the newly developed Senate plans to proceed with a farm bill this session. That statement was followed by the President's announcement Friday of his appointment of a new special assistant for ag trade and food assistance.
The President said that he is not opposed to signing a farm bill into law this year, and the addition to the administration's agriculture team is a positive step to further coordinate farm bill efforts between Congress and the White House.
I am encouraged to once again hear the administration's commitment to farm policy, and I am glad to see the Senate Committee on Agriculture responding by beginning to mark up their version of a farm bill.
I look forward to working together on farmers' priorities: caring for the environment, a farm income safety net, and greater trading opportunities.
With the tragic events of September 11, the battle against terrorism is continuing. Our Nation has many vital defense priorities right now both at home and abroad. However, food security is one of the most important elements of homeland security, and we must not overlook our Nation's farmers before this session ends.
Farmers are counting on us to deliver the promise of a farm bill, and with all that they do every day to provide us with food, clothing, and shelter, we must not let them down.
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