Before adjourning for the August recess last week, the U.S. House passed a short term extension of the highway bill. The Senate wanted a longer term measure but passed the House bill that called for a three month piece of legislation. National Corn Growers Association Board member and South Dakota Corn Growers President, Keith Alverson was disappointed in the short term fix.

Alverson and the NCGA President, Chip Bowling, both say the deficiencies in America’s transportation system will cost U.S. agriculture $1.3 billion in exports by 2020. Alverson also says having a good and reliable transportation system has been a marketing advantage for US farmers.

Alverson says Congress needs to work right away following the recess and pass a long term transportation bill before the issue gets bogged down in politics during the Presidential election year of 2016.

The Senate had been working on a six year measure, with three years funded, while the House only came up with the three month bill that was eventually approved.