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U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees |
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For Immediate
Release September 13, 2005 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Press Secretary 202-228-3630 Jen Clanahan – Deputy Press Secretary 303-455-7600 |
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SEN. SALAZAR
PUSHES BILL TO AID FARMERS & RANCHERS HURT BY HURRICANE KATRINA Washington – More than 100 family farmers and ranchers from across the nation joined Senator Ken Salazar and other members of Congress to announce the introduction of emergency legislation to assist agricultural producers hurt by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters this year. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Kent Conrad (ND) and Senator Salazar is an original co-sponsor of the legislation. “The Emergency Agriculture Disaster Assistance package will provide relief to farmers suffering from drought, economic losses due to natural disaster and rising fuel costs – all of which are plaguing Colorado’s farmers and ranchers today,” said Salazar. Salazar continued, “our farmers are suffering a triple blow:
Colorado Highlights: A farmer in Burlington, Colorado has told me that today he is paying $55,000 for fuel on his farm as compared to $15,000 at this time last year. These costs amount to 10% of his farm’s budget. This same farmer has said that it will cost about $100 per acre to fertilize his corn field versus $50 per acre last year. Another Colorado farmer has told me that four years ago he contracted to bring diesel to his farm at 65 cents per gallon. This year he will be paying $2.28 per gallon. This year it will cost an average Colorado corn farmer over $200 per acre to pay for the natural gas to run their irrigation pumps. At this time last year it cost $75 per acre. A summary of the legislation is included below.
Emergency
Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act of 2005 Production Loss Title –
Economic and Nutrition Program Assistance Title –
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