provide information to producers on what can be done in this re- 

 gard as well. 



I called this hearing today to go over where we stand in regard 

 to the disaster assistance program and the administration of the 

 regular commodity programs. 



Killing frosts have already occurred in scattered areas of the 

 Midwest, and this adds to the concerns and confusion among pro- 

 ducers. 



Those of us from the Spring Wheat area have an added concern 

 about the occurrence of vomitoxin in the wheat harvest. Lack of 

 knowledge about this particular mycotoxin forced producers with- 

 out on-farm storage to dump their wheat and accept whatever dis- 

 counts the market was imposing. 



While the involved agencies have acted to help calm the market 

 and update the acceptable levels, I am concerned about the length 

 of time it took for action to take place. It seems that we were able 

 to react much more quickly in regard to the incidences of aflatoxin 

 that have been seen in some early corn harvests. 



With that, I will open the floor to any opening statements that 

 my colleagues might have. The gentleman from Iowa. 



OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JIM NUSSLE, A 

 REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF IOWA 



Mr. NusSLE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for calling this hearing 

 today. Even though the water has receded, as you quite properly 

 stated, somewhat in the Midwest, an early frost is expected this 

 week in my State in Iowa. And I say early because our average is 

 about October 7, so you can see what kind of predicament we are 

 in. So, unfortunately, the real damage of the floods this summer is 

 really just beginning to hit farmers. 



I would like to thank the USDA, and I would like to pay a spe- 

 cial commendation to Secretary Mike Espy for the flexibility that 

 you have provided farmers this summer and so far this fall. I have 

 received assurances from Secretary Espy that the USDA is willing 

 to help farmers throughout this long haul, and I have no doubt 

 that the USDA will continue with that effort. 



I might also express my gratitude to the ASCS Acting Director, 

 Randy Weber. I want to thank him for his quick and responsive ac- 

 tion. Mr. Weber has spent, if I am not mistaken, 2 full days in 

 Iowa listening to farmers; and for that, we are very grateful. 



Iowa's farmers are weather weary. While the USDA has already 

 given significant help to flood stricken farmers in the Midwest, 

 farmers need additional flexibility from the USDA. 



I have been speaking with farmers all over the Second Congres- 

 sional District of Iowa, and they have been telling me that they 

 need better loans, extending deadlines, and help with their losses. 



So today I would like the USDA to consider a list of three things 

 that may be helpful: To renew the recourse loan policy, which will 

 allow loans for weather-damaged com, of which we will have quite 

 a bit this year; to extend the CRP program, and to allow the re- 

 cently opened acres in Iowa and other areas for hay and grazing 

 to be extended because, quite honestly, they haven't been able to 

 get into the fields, haven't been able to get into those areas because 



