A companion measure to South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson’s Feed Act has been introduced in the Senate this week. It would provide farmers and ranchers with additional flexibility to alleviate feed shortages in years with widespread excessive moisture, flooding or drought. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Jennings says the measures fix the cover crop harvest dates which helps with providing needed feed.

He says there are several benefits to the legislation including producers not seeing a reduction of their crop insurance indemnity when they need the emergency waiver authority for haying or grazing of a cover crop before November 1. It also matches climate change goals.

Jennings says one of the major benefits of the Feed Act is the stability it provides producers.

The Senate measure is being carried by North Dakota Republican John Hoeven and Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin.