Committee holds bill to raise wheat and barley assessments after hearing debate over uses of new funds

Summary

Senate Bill 2161, which would increase barley and wheat assessments to fund research, marketing and education, drew broad support from commodity groups and concern from the North Dakota Farmers Union over potential use of added dollars for policy or lobbying; the committee decided to hold the bill for further consideration.

The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 2161, which would raise assessments collected for the North Dakota Barley Council and the North Dakota Wheat Commission. After testimony supporting the increases for research, breeding and promotion, the committee chose to hold the bill for further consideration.

Senator Greg Kessel, a family farmer and sponsor, summarized the proposal: increase the barley assessment from 20 mills to 30 mills per bushel and the wheat assessment from 15 mills to 20 mills per bushel. He presented the increases as measures to ensure funding for research, marketing and staff continuity. "These funds will be invested in key initiatives including research and development in improved crop yields and sustainability, marketing efforts to enhance competitiveness," he told the panel.

Barley and wheat…

Committee holds bill to raise wheat and barley assessments after hearing debate over uses of new funds

Summary

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