North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is pushing for stronger livestock risk management programs in the next farm bill. Speaking at the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota’s annual meeting, Hoeven outlined proposals to expand disaster assistance and improve access to federal grazing lands. His legislation would improve livestock indemnity payments and cover transportation costs for feed, water and cattle during drought. Hoeven also wants to limit prairie dog habitat to 1.5 percent of individual grazing allotments and establish a one-mile buffer along private and state lands. He’s also supporting mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and expanded livestock insurance options.
