FARM BILL DEADLINE TWO WEEKS AWAY

Both US House and Senate have passed new farm bills but so far, the differences have not been ironed out and President Bush has threatened to veto the bill if it's cost is higher than he wants to spend. Minnesota Farm Bureau President Doug Peterson hopes the new Farm Secretary, former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer can help. Peterson said Schafer is familiar with the crops grown in the Midwest and that's an advantage. Peterson hopes to gain access to the new Secretary and thinks he's a fair man but understands he's part of the administration that's threatening a veto. If there is no new farm bill by March 15th, farm policy reverts to a 60-year old Agriculture Law, which both Peterson and House Ag Committee Chair Colin Peterson say is not a bad option.