Good morning. Thank you, Chairman Scott, for holding today’s hearing.

I look forward to working with you and the rest of the subcommittee on reauthorizing the US Grain Standards Act later this year.

The inspections provided by the Federal Grain Inspection Service define and classify grains, as well as assign grades to specify weight and quality requirements.

These inspections provide a “gold standard” assurance backed by the federal government to both grain buyers and sellers.

Grain farmers in Kansas and across the country participate in a very competitive world market.

Foreign grain buyers should be confident in the process we have in place to ensure our exports are adequately inspected.

As we move ahead with reauthorization, I hope that we take this as an opportunity to support and improve our grain inspection system, which remains critical to global grain trade.

I am proud that Kansas is home to the one-of-a-kind Kansas State University Department of Grain Science and Industry, which prepares students to become agricultural professionals in this space.

As we discuss potential improvements in technology for grain-grading, we must consider how to prepare the next generation of our workforce to adapt to changing jobs.

I’d like to thank our panel of witnesses for making the trip all the way to DC during one of the hottest weeks of the year.

I very much look forward to your testimony and appreciate your time and expertise.

Again, I thank the Chair for holding today’s hearing and look forward to working together on reauthorization this year.