Brahma Bull
Well-known member
Just got an email from my Texas Congressman.A hopeful development that occurred in Washington today he said.After several years of indifference,approved by a narrow margine in the House of almost $4 billion in Agricultural Disaster Assistance.
It is not law yet and unfortunately,Pres. Bush continues to oppose relief.He says he believes this is an emergency situation that requires our coming together to support many family farmers and ranchers who have been injured by severe weather conditions.I suppose like we had this last summer.It goes on to say in the $4 billion package $1.8 is for crop production loss and $1.8 is for livestock assistance.For many ranchers who have faced record feed cost,a Livestock Compensation Program will allow producers in designated disaster counties to recieve 75% of their combined feed cost.He says he don't pretend to be a big expert on agriculture but that assistance is overdue for ranchers who continue to pay record prices for feed and for farmers who have faced prolonged drought.As one Farm Bureau member put it,this assistance will prevent family owned farms going under.The high cost of feed grains,hay and forage for livestock means ranchers are still paying top dollar just to make it.The drought has meant local ranchers pay more than $70 per bale of hay for their livestock.Well the hay I inquired about was from around $60 to $100 plus this past year.I had to buy hay from the neighbor at $4.50 per square bale,normal $2 to $2.50.
I looked in all the local news papers and large city ones too.The price was all the same on round bales.It made me dang mad too.So I wrote my Congressman about it.Said aint this the same as those building supply guys charging $50 per sheet of plywood and $4 per gallon for gas,$1 each for flashlight battery during a hurricane.They get prosecuted for price gouging.Taking advantage of the situation.So shouldn't those guys charging over $100 per bale for hay during a severe drought be held accountable for that,aint it the same thing?Or am I the only one that feels that way and maybe missing something here.Then I had to sell some of my cows too and boy did I take a beating.$750 for 2 bred mom ma cows.Made me want to cry.So this is what put a hotshot to my britches to write my Congressman.I hope I did the right thing.
It is not law yet and unfortunately,Pres. Bush continues to oppose relief.He says he believes this is an emergency situation that requires our coming together to support many family farmers and ranchers who have been injured by severe weather conditions.I suppose like we had this last summer.It goes on to say in the $4 billion package $1.8 is for crop production loss and $1.8 is for livestock assistance.For many ranchers who have faced record feed cost,a Livestock Compensation Program will allow producers in designated disaster counties to recieve 75% of their combined feed cost.He says he don't pretend to be a big expert on agriculture but that assistance is overdue for ranchers who continue to pay record prices for feed and for farmers who have faced prolonged drought.As one Farm Bureau member put it,this assistance will prevent family owned farms going under.The high cost of feed grains,hay and forage for livestock means ranchers are still paying top dollar just to make it.The drought has meant local ranchers pay more than $70 per bale of hay for their livestock.Well the hay I inquired about was from around $60 to $100 plus this past year.I had to buy hay from the neighbor at $4.50 per square bale,normal $2 to $2.50.
I looked in all the local news papers and large city ones too.The price was all the same on round bales.It made me dang mad too.So I wrote my Congressman about it.Said aint this the same as those building supply guys charging $50 per sheet of plywood and $4 per gallon for gas,$1 each for flashlight battery during a hurricane.They get prosecuted for price gouging.Taking advantage of the situation.So shouldn't those guys charging over $100 per bale for hay during a severe drought be held accountable for that,aint it the same thing?Or am I the only one that feels that way and maybe missing something here.Then I had to sell some of my cows too and boy did I take a beating.$750 for 2 bred mom ma cows.Made me want to cry.So this is what put a hotshot to my britches to write my Congressman.I hope I did the right thing.
