News

Hoosier dairy farmers outline Farm Bill priorities

Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly says when it comes to the Farm Bill Hoosier farmers have their priorities set.  “How critical crop insurance is,” he says.  “That is the backstop to make sure that our families don’t lose their farms or get in financial difficulties.”

Donnelly met with members of Indiana’s dairy industry and other farmers as part of his ongoing Farm Bill listening sessions on Thursday.  He says one of the top priorities for Indiana dairy farmers is the labor issue.

Brian Houin with Homestead Dairy in Plymouth, IN says it is because of current labor laws they struggle to find employees.  “We have to work weekends, we have to work holidays, we work 365-24/7,” he says.  “It’s hard to find people that want to do the type of work that we have on dairy farms.  Having some sort of immigration reform would be hugely beneficial.”

 

Donnelly Days Media Avaiability

 

Doug Leman, CEO of the Indiana Dairy Producers says the opportunity for dairy producers to have a frank discussion with the Senator about some of the challenges the Farm Bill presents to dairy producers is paramount.

Especially when it comes to issues like the Margin Protection Program.  “It needs to start all over,” he says.  “It just has not worked at all.  The government has actually made money on that program – so that kind of tells the story there.”

 

AUDIO: Doug Leman, Indiana Dairy Producers

 

Senator Donnelly will continue his Farm Bill listening sessions.  On Friday he’ll be visiting with pork producers and farmers in Rush County.