FARM BILL HEARING TODAY IN PORTAGEVILLE

PORTAGEVILLE -- The condition of agriculture, the outlook on agribusiness, farm research and conservation will be discussed at today's 1995 Farm Bill hearing at Portageville.

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, will hold the hearing from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the University of Missouri's Delta Research Center.

Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, and Reps. Ed Bryant, R-Tenn., and Blanche Lambert Lincoln, D-Ark., will take the testimony. Today's hearing is one of about 25 to be held across the country before Congress writes a new farm bill.

Providing an overview on agriculture will be Charles Kruse, a Dexter farmer and president of the Missouri Farm Bureau; Charles Parker, vice president of Arkansas' Agricultural Council; and John Saunders, director of Missouri's Department of Agriculture.

Cotton, rice, corn and soybean growers will comment on the effects of national and international farm programs. Jake Fisher, Delta Center director, will discuss farm research. Cotton and rice buyers will outline their views for agribusiness while the impact of farm programs on conservation will be provided on the regional, state and national levels.