Rushmore State News

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) welcomed Brandon Wipf, a soybean farmer from Huron, South Dakota, to testify before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition. The hearing focused on the reauthorization of the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) under the U.S. Grain Standards Act.

The FGIS is responsible for establishing and maintaining official marketing standards for grains and oilseeds. These standards support U.S. agricultural products in international markets by ensuring their reliability and quality.

During the hearing, Thune highlighted the significance of agriculture in South Dakota’s economy. “I appreciate the chance, as always, to serve on this committee and to advocate on behalf of South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers. And production agriculture is so important to our state. It’s our number one industry, and we’re very blessed to have people represent it like Brandon Wipf. Nice to have you here … and thanks for … making the trip out to D.C. and representing our state’s soybean growers.”

Thune also addressed the importance of promoting U.S. agricultural products globally: “I think we all recognize the importance of promoting U.S. agriculture on the world stage, which is why we must use every available tool to facilitate international trade, to support farmers, grain processors, and exporters. And as the United States engages and continues to engage in negotiations with our trading partners, we need to ensure that U.S. grains are seen as a reliable and high quality product by foreign buyers, and the Federal Grain Inspection Service works to maintain these standards so that our grain remains a reliable purchasing option. So Mr. Wipf, could you maybe just explain, in your view, what impact on soybean markets in South Dakota and across the country would happen if the Grain Standards Act is allowed to expire?”

He further discussed how FGIS provides impartial inspections that contribute to a transparent system for producers: “[B]y providing impartial inspections and weighing services, FGIS has created a transparent, trustworthy system. I think we all agree with that. That system reduces the chances of price disparity and eliminates quality discrepancies. So, how have … you seen the Federal Grain Inspection Service contribute to global grain price discovery, and what would be the potential consequences for international markets if FGIS services lapsed?”

The hearing provided an opportunity for stakeholders like Wipf to share their perspectives on maintaining federal oversight over grain inspection processes.