Senator John Hoeven introduced North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, where he outlined on March 13 his ongoing efforts to support farmers and ranchers facing financial challenges and to increase market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products.
The discussion comes as many in the agriculture sector are experiencing economic difficulties. Hoeven said that additional support is needed until new enhancements to crop insurance and commodity programs take effect later this year. He is working with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman to expand the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, aiming to cover more producer losses, include prevented planting acres, extend support for specialty crops and sugar producers, and raise loan limits for farm ownership and operations.
“We secured critical improvements to crop insurance affordability and ARC and PLC reference prices in the One Big Beautiful Bill, but those provisions don’t fully kick in until October. So we’re working to provide additional assistance to get our farmers through this stretch,” Hoeven said. “At the same time, we’re working to increase demand both domestically and internationally. That’s why we’re working to pass year-round E15, which will provide a boost here at home, and we continue to support the Trump administration as it works to secure both better trade terms and agriculture sales.”
Hoeven also discussed efforts to expand domestic demand by supporting legislation for year-round nationwide sale of E15 fuel and backing value-added agriculture projects such as soybean crushing facilities in North Dakota. He highlighted collaboration with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on improving trade terms for American agricultural products. Additionally, he mentioned initiatives like Crack the Code 2.0 aimed at increasing domestic energy production to help lower input costs for farmers.
“North Dakota’s producers have tremendous insights to share on these issues, and I appreciate North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue for joining us in this discussion. His advocacy is particularly important as our farmers and ranchers are facing this difficult time,” Hoeven said.
Hoeven serves on several key committees including Appropriations; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; as well as Energy and Natural Resources according to the official website. He represents all of North Dakota in the U.S. Senate according to the official website and addresses priorities such as agriculture, energy policy, veterans’ services, Native American communities, and economic development according to the official website. Hoeven also engages constituents through newsletters, town halls, and public events as noted on his official website.
