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Tag: Agriculture

Daines Leads St. Mary’s Milk River Project Roundtable with DOI Assistant Secretary, Local Officials, Community Members

July 13, 2020

CUT BANK, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a roundtable discussion in Cut Bank with community members and top administration leaders on the St. Mary’s Milk River Project following a tour of the damaged drop sites 2 and 5. Daines has actively been working on a solution to fix the St. Mary Milk River Project to protect Montana jobs and the ag operations on the Hi-Line. Daines was joined by U.S Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Dr. Tim Petty, Phillips County Economic Growth Council Co-Chair, Marko Manoukian and Milk River Joint Board of

Daines Secures DOI Response on St. Mary’s Milk River Next Steps

July 8, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has determined the Drop 2 and Drop 5 of the St. Mary’s River Project qualify as emergency work which will allow repairs to go forth with less strain on Montanans. This follows Daines’ request to Department of the Interior Secretary Bernhardt to make this decision expeditiously. “I’m glad the administration responded to the St. Mary’s Joint Board and my request to make this decision and do everything in their power to lessen the burden on water-users ,” Daines said. “The St. Mary’s Milk River Project is

Trump Administration Expresses Support for Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act

June 24, 2020

U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Hearing today, the Trump administration expressed support for U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” which permanently settles the century-long Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) water dispute. At the hearing, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty discussed the benefits of the bill which will create more than 6,000 jobs, modernize critical NW Montana infrastructure, avoid costly litigation, protect the water rights of all Montanans and provide certainty for Montana’s farmers and ranchers. Daines kicked off the hearing by emphasizing why the bill is necessary, how

Daines Sends Bipartisan Letter to USDA on Regulatory Relief for the Meat Processing Industry

June 23, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to consider four areas for regulatory and programmatic reform in the meat processing industry.  “When high-capacity processing facilities experienced outbreaks amongst employees, operations were forced to shut-off or slow down production, leaving the rancher with livestock they could not move and the consumer with either empty grocery shelves or overpriced products,” Daines wrote. “These pitfalls can be avoided in the future if we take action today to promote a diversified food supply chain. Regulations must be streamlined to

Daines, Gianforte Urge DOI to Rapidly Respond to St. Mary’s River Project Amid Drop Five’s Failure

June 12, 2020

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to the Department of the Interior’s Secretary Bernhardt urging him to continue to address and monitor the St. Mary’s Drop 2 and Drop 5 reconstruction projects.  “We are grateful for the Bureau of Reclamation’s responsiveness to this crisis, but would encourage you to continue monitoring reconstruction closely to ensure timely completion.” Daines and Gianforte wrote. “We would appreciate any help your office can lend to ensure we minimize the burden placed on stakeholders as we pursue reconstruction of Drop 2 and Drop 5 of the

Daines: Montana Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by Coronavirus Need Relief Now

May 19, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement on new guidelines to implement the $19 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for farmers and ranchers impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Montana’s hardworking farmers and ranchers whose operations have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic need relief now,” Daines said. “I’m grateful to President Trump for announcing these new guidelines that will provide more critical financial support for our ag folks. I will continue working with the Administration to ensure our farmers and ranchers get the support they need quickly.”

Daines: We Must Prioritize Made in Montana Beef, Support Montana Ranchers

May 13, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a resolution that would urge the President and U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef in trade negotiations. “During these unprecedented and challenging times, Montana producers and ranchers are struggling to keep their operations going,” Daines said. “That’s why it is important we pursue negotiations with our trading partners to include country of origin labeling. We must support ranchers in Montana and across the U.S. and ensure that only beef made and slaughtered in America receive the Product of the USA label.”  Additionally, Daines cosponsored

Daines: Montana Farmers and Ranchers are Now Eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

April 21, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s farmers, ranchers and ag businesses will be eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Today’s announcement follows Daines’ request to the Small Business Association urging them to grant farms, ranches and ag businesses the opportunity to apply for the EIDL program. “This is great news for Montana’s farmers and ranchers as they head into the spring planting season. Ensuring our farmers and ranchers have access to this program is critical to making sure they can continue to maintain our nation’s food supply chain

Daines Secures $19 Billion for Ag, Including Livestock, Specialty Crop Producers During Coronavirus Outbreak

April 17, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that USDA will be providing $19 billion in assistance for farmers and ranchers hurting from challenging market conditions due to the Coronavirus pandemic through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Part of the funding will go to help Montana’s cattle producers who have seen a drastic decline in cattle markets during the pandemic. This follows Daines’ request earlier this month to USDA Secretary Perdue urging immediate action for Montana’s ranchers. “Montana farmers and ranchers drive our economy and feed not only America, but the world,” Daines said. “During this Coronavirus pandemic, the

Daines Successfully Pushes for MT Ag Producers to be Eligible for Coronavirus Small Business Loans

April 8, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s farmers and ranchers will be eligible for the Paycheck Protections Program (PPP), which provides $350 billion in loans and grants to small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic if they maintain or rehire their employees. This announcement follows Daines’ push to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure ag businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief loans. “Montana farmers and ranchers are facing tough challenges and hardships because of the Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “It is only right that our Ag producers have the same access to relief that was secured