North Dakota Senator John Hoeven used a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing this past week to push for stronger cattle market protections and expanded trade opportunities. Hoeven emphasized full enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act and highlighted the success of his Cattle Contract Library pilot program in improving price transparency. Hoeven also called for the removal of trade barriers and renewed support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. Hoeven extended an invitation to USDA research nominee Dr. Scott Hutchins to visit North Dakota, spotlighting the state’s role in precision ag development and the new Agricultural Risk Policy Center at NDSU. The center will support farm policy research and economic analysis alongside similar institutions across the country.
