Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congressman Steve King (IA-05) heard firsthand the effects that biodiesel and ethanol production are having on the livestock industry during a hearing of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry.  King is a member of this subcommittee.

As the House Agriculture Committee writes the Farm Bill, livestock groups have the opportunity to air their concerns that bio-fuels, such as ethanol derived from corn and biodiesel from soybeans, will drive up the cost of the grain they feed to their livestock.

"I’ve said for years that the solution to agriculture’s problems are all resolved by getting more dollars per acre and higher market prices for livestock," said King. "Today we are anticipating $4 corn and $7 beans, which translates into more money per acre.  From a broad perspective, it is the best solution agriculture has ever seen, not a problem.  That said, the livestock producers feel the pinch.  We need to grow the livestock industry right alongside the renewable fuels industry.  As we write the Farm Bill, I will continue to push for more acres in production so there is an adequate feed supply. I will also push for more meat exports so livestock producers will have a larger market."