Barrasso Stands Up For Wyoming Agriculture

Press Release

Barrasso Stands Up For Wyoming Agriculture

Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, is standing up for Wyoming agriculture and speaking out against the Administration's job-killing Cap-and-Tax plan.

"Meat and vegetables don't magically appear in grocery aisles. Wyoming's farmers and ranchers work hard to help feed America. During these tough economic times, we need to ensure we don't lose Wyoming agriculture."

Barrasso's comments came during a hearing by the Senate Western Caucus. Barrasso outlined the consequences for Western Agriculture if the "Waxman-Markley bill," also known as the "Cap-and-Tax bill" passes in the Senate. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in early July.

"Cap-and-Tax would only deal another blow to our farmers and ranchers during this recession," Barrasso said.

"Farming and ranching are energy-intensive businesses. Energy costs work into every detail of American farmers' lives. Farmers use fuel for tractors and combines, require natural gas to make fertilizer, and farm equipment uses energy for irrigation pumps and drying grain before storing it."

The Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Jim Magagna of Rock Springs, testified at the hearing.

"Agriculture producers face tough markets in today's economic climate. Implementing a policy that would increase energy and input costs during these tough times will be harmful to farms and ranches across the West," Magagna said.

"This bill will particularly impact our young producers -- those who represent a bright future for American agriculture," Magagna said.

"If agriculture declines, so do our western communities," Barrasso said. "Policies that harm agriculture lead to a loss of jobs and a loss of a culture and way of life."

Source