Sen. Max Baucus

“This is great news for Montana’s farmers and ranchers. We’ve created a permanent disaster assistance fund so producers don’t have to go back to Congress year after year, kept (Farm Service Agency) offices open, and paved the way to finally implement country-of-origin labeling. Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy and this bill will help keep it that way.”

Sen. Jon Tester

“I’m anxious to give a thumbs up to this farm bill so we can send it to President Bush and I call on him to sign it. We can’t afford to have this administration play political games with our nation’s food security and Montana’s agricultural heritage.”

Rep. Denny Rehberg

“Over the next couple of days, I’ll be gathering feedback from Montana ag producers on whether or not this legislation meets their needs and is something they can support. The process isn’t over, but I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far.”

Alan Merrill

“We would especially like to thank Sen. Max Baucus who, as a committee member and as chair of the Senate Finance Committee, steadfastly worked and believed in the soundness of the Farmers Union’s idea of permanent disaster assistance. This measure provides a needed safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers and saves them from having to depend on the ad hoc disaster relief programs of the past.”

— Alan Merrill is president of the Montana Farmers Union

Dave McClure

“It has been an extremely long uphill battle to get this bill passed. One thing that has been very frustrating for our farmer-rancher members is that they have made 2008 planting decisions not knowing what the next farm bill will hold. However, we are pleased that this farm bill continues to have ... a strong safety net in place for American agricultural producers that includes direct payments, a strong counter-cyclical program and adequate risk management tools...”

— Dave McClure is president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation. McClure said the Farm Bureau was also pleased with the country-of-origin labeling and the fact that small packing plants in Montana will be allowed to ship meat to other states.