Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D., and Michael Bennet (D-CO) convened a bipartisan field hearing in Burlington, Colorado, to address the severe drought affecting farmers and ranchers in Kansas and Colorado. The senators, who lead the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, discussed potential solutions with experts from both states.

"Colorado and Kansas share much more than a border. For about ten of the last fifteen years, we’ve shared this drought – and I believe that water will be the defining issue of our states for not just the near future but for generations ahead," said Senator Marshall. "Farmers and ranchers need federal assistance to maintain their livelihoods and to produce our nation’s food supply, but they need more flexibility."

Senator Bennet highlighted the challenges faced by modern agriculture: "Today’s farmers and ranchers face a 1,200-year drought, a changing climate, and a future that keeps getting hotter and drier. Yet America’s agriculture conservation programs haven’t kept pace with a West that looks very different from the Dust Bowl era."

The hearing included testimonies from several key figures:

Ms. Constance C. Owen from the Kansas Water Office emphasized the economic impact of drought: "Without adequate water, the domino effect of drought can cripple a local, regional, and statewide economy."

Mr. Christopher A. Redmond from Kansas State University noted the importance of data in managing drought conditions: "Evaluating drought conditions is critical to producer success in the High Plains."

Mr. Earl D. Lewis Jr., Chief Engineer at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, discussed water management challenges: "The Ogallala is not an inexhaustible supply as many early users believed it would be... There are many localized areas where the aquifer is effectively dewatered."

Mr. Patrick Milan Janssen of Kansas Water PACK stressed crop insurance's role: "Effective crop insurance programs are critical to keeping farms viable in years of extended drought."

Mr. Jeff Sternberger from Midwest Feeders Inc. advocated for federal support in water conservation investments: "Support from the federal level would accelerate investment across cattle feeding, dairy production, and farming."

Mrs. Amy France from National Sorghum Producers called for sustainable practices: "Our livelihood... depends on a stable water supply... We can do this by adapting new technologies [and] improving practices and policies."

The hearing underscored that collaborative efforts between government levels are essential to addressing prolonged droughts impacting agriculture on the High Plains.