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June 19, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson applauded the USDA on its first round of Great Northern Bean purchases this week and praised today’s announcement by the USDA of a second invitation for purchases. Eighty-five percent of Great Northern Beans are produced in Nebraska.
“Today is a great day for Nebraska’s Great Northern Bean growers,” said Senator Nelson. “Not only did USDA complete its first purchase of the 2008 crop, but they also announced a second invitation to Great Northern Bean Growers. I applaud the USDA’s actions. These funds will help a vital Nebraska industry and will literally plant the seeds for future growth.”
Many Western Nebraska Great Northern bean farmers have been unable to sell their 2008 Great Northern bean crop and face significant difficulties in obtaining operating capital for the 2009 season for a number of reasons. These include: domestic competition for land last year due to high prices for corn and other crops due to speculation and high oil prices, subsequently pricing bean farmers out of the market, while internationally there have been problems within some of the traditional markets for these beans, like Iraq and Cuba.
Nebraska produces 85 percent of the nation's Great Northern bean crop and requested assistance under the USDA's Section 32 program to help preserve this important industry. The beans will be used provide healthy lunches for thousands of students nationwide through school lunch and other assistance programs
Nebraska’s Dry Edible Bean growers not only feed the world, but also contribute greatly to the U.S. economy while doing so. Half of the product is exported to foreign markets such as Mexico, the United Kingdom, Haiti, Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Northern Africa, Canada, Cuba and Iraq.
It is estimated that the Nebraska produced 2008 Great Northern bean crop totals 62,000 metric tons. There are an estimated 1,500 farmers in western Nebraska who produce the beans for various purposes.
In March, Nelson sent a letter to USDA with Senator Mike Johanns and Congressman Smith and has been urging the agency to expedite the purchase of the beans from Nebraska famers.
A copy to today’s second invitation to Great Northern Bean Growers can be found at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5077619
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