01/19/07 Grain growers have wish list

When the US Congress sits down to write the Farm Bill this year what course will it take? Commodity groups across the nation are lobbying to be a part of the 2007 Farm Bill. Idaho Grain Producers President Tim Dillin knows there's a tough road to travel thanks to limited federal dollars. DILLIN "We've got less budget to work with. Our budget baseline has shrunk over the years. We're a little worried about what numbers Congress will use to try to write a new farm bill, what direction the new incoming with the change of parties in the House and Senate and what that's going to do for writing the farm bill." Dillin, a Bonner County wheat and barley farmer, supports the programs backed by the National Association of Wheat Growers. DILLIN "We're going to have to follow somebody else with barley because we're not a real big commodity but we believe that wheat has probably the best plan out there. We do like American Soybean Association's plan for the higher loan rates because we believe that would stimulate some barley production but pick and choose and try to help some other commodities and see if they'll help us get what we need." On a state level Dillin says water and the battles over it will continue in 2007. He says the dams and locks on the Columbia River system are critical to northern Idaho producers as is the burning issue in the five northernmost counties, along with endangered species concerns, truck weight limits and rail car availability. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott