Two Illinois congressmen visited with agricultural leaders and the media during opening day of the Farm Progress Show in Decatur to talk about issues important to farmers and ranchers.

Congressman Rodney Davis, a Republican from the district of Illinois that includes Decatur, is a member of both the House Agriculture and Transportation committees, so he is deeply involved in two top agriculture priorities – the farm bill and WRDA.

Davis said he was shocked when the farm bill failed in the House and called it “probably the worst day I’ve had in Congress” but he is hopeful they will get it done yet. “We passed an ag-side only, didn’t change hardly anything, and that’s going to give us a chance to conference that portion. And we’re going to go back to Washington at the beginning of next month and pass a food and nutrition side which I hope then is combined back together.”Interview with Rep. Rodney Davis

Congressman John Shimkus, who represents Illinois’ 15th district, says nutrition is still going to be tough. “It’s going to be $40 billion in major reforms,” he said. “But once we do that, I do believe (both bills) will go to conference and Chairman Lucas and Debbie Stabenow will work their magic.”

Shimkus serves on the House Energy Committee so he is fully engaged in the battle over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), representing both sides of the issue in his district on the Eastern side of Illinois. “I’ve got corn growers, I’ve got renewable refiners and I’ve got petroleum refiners,” said Shimkus, who does believe the RFS has some problems that need to be fixed, such as the Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) program. Interview with Rep. John Shimkus

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album