Senators John Thune of South Dakota and Tina Smith of Minnesota have introduced legislation to allow emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres during the COVID 19 pandemic. That measure is a priority for R-CALF. Regional Director and South Dakota cattle producer Brett Kenzy says they’re glad the Senators have put forward this legislation because it will help with the backlog of animals that haven’t been processed.

He says the animal backlog hasn’t really improved despite some reports to the contrary., so it’s important to get this bill approved.

Kenzy says some areas of the country are already seeing dry conditions so the Thune Smith bill will be beneficial for producers in those areas.

Representatives Angie Craig of Minnesota and Roger Marshall of Kansas have introduced companion legislation in the House.