WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday submitted a statement for the record during a Senate Agriculture Subcommittee's hearing on emergency response and recovery in rural areas. Grassley in his statement highlighted the recent severe storms and flooding in Iowa while pointing out the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could further assist farmers by opening up Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for emergency grazing as a result of flooding.
I want to thank Chairman Welch and Ranking Member Tuberville for holding this hearing.
Many Iowans this year know first-hand the impact that extreme weather can have on our rural communities.
In May, Iowa experienced 13 tornados in one day, causing a disaster declaration in eight counties.
Last month [and] continuing to today, Iowa has been experiencing extreme flooding.
I visited many of the impacted communities from these storms and floods as part of my annual 99 county tour across the state.
On June 26, I visited the city of Spencer in Clay County, where I was told by one Iowan the water level crested at 22 feet, and by another that 500 people had to be sheltered the first night.
Farmers and families in these rural areas came together to support one another.
I told them that I would do whatever I can to support them in their recovery.
That is why on May 14, I led the Iowa delegation in a letter of support for the disaster proclamation in eight counties effected by the tornados.
This request was granted and, as a result, several USDA programs were made available to affected Iowans.
I and my staff continue to be in communication with the Governor and [Iowa] Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, stakeholder groups and, of course, any Iowan that reaches out to my office.
Through this work, we are trying to identify places where the policies and programs we are talking about today can be improved.
For example, CRP acres can be opened up for emergency grazing during the primary nesting season because of a lack of supply due to drought, but NOT because of a lack of supply due to flooding.
Many cow-calf operations have been affected by the flooding in Northwest Iowa this year. [W]hen the water level rises, as a practical matter, those cows need to have somewhere to go.
Allowing for emergency grazing during the primary nesting season due to flooding would give producers meaningful options in times of crisis.
Again, I thank the chair and ranking member for holding this hearing and I will be submitting questions for the record to further the discussion on where these policies can be improved.
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