09/14/06 McMorris plans wheat legislation

Washington Ag September 14, 2006 During a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing Wednesday, committee chairman Bob Goodlatte revealed that Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris is planning legislation aimed at making the farm program safety net work for soft white wheat producers. Goodlatte: "Congresswoman McMorris is planning to introduce a bill this week that would establish counter cyclical payments for wheat by class. Wheat counter cyclical rates would be established consistent with the way wheat loan rates are established, by wheat class." Alex McGregor, president of the McGregor Company was testifying at the hearing on behalf of the fertilizer industry and was asked by Goodlatte what he thought of McMorris' proposed bill. McGregor said the existing calculation doesn't work for soft white wheat producers. McGregor: "The proposed legislative action led by Congresswoman McMorris can help by allowing the Secretary discretionary authority to adjust counter cyclical payments when severe imbalances occur among market prices of different classes of grain." During his testimony McGregor urged congress to pass consensus energy legislation and to pass disaster assistance including relief for what he called a brutal increase in energy prices. I'm Bob Hoff.