Farm Bill Impact Series

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to deliver the 21st installment of my farm bill impact series to highlight the tireless work of Kansas wheat farmers. Kansas is known as the wheat State, and our State's wheat farmers are feeding the world with their lifesaving commodity. With more than 15,000 wheat farms across the State and 5 million acres of wheat in the Big First District alone, our State leads the Nation in wheat production.

Wheat harvest is underway in Kansas, which begins in the southern part of our State and moves north over the next few weeks. As we speak, Kansas farmers are working tirelessly in the face of record-breaking drought to produce wheat, which is a staple for families in our country and all over the world. This year's drought and market conditions have caused Kansas producers to abandon the highest number of acres of wheat since World War I. Over the past 5 years, Kansas wheat farmers have harvested an average of 44 bushels per acre, but this year, USDA predicts that farmers will harvest roughly 29 bushels per acre. That is a 35 percent decrease.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Kansas wheat farmers and all our American farmers for working tirelessly to keep our country's food secure and self-determining as a Nation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source