Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's statement Friday to The Associated Press about the USDA's lowering of U.S. corn and soybean production estimates as the nation's drought continues:

"The productivity and resilience of American farmers and ranchers allows the United States to be the most reliable supplier of food and agricultural products in the world, a global leader in farm exports and the world's largest food aid donor. We will continue to meet all of those demands and Americans shouldn't see immediate increases in food prices due to the drought. What is important going forward is that we continue to do all we can to help the farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and communities being impacted by this drought. That's why Congress needs to pass a comprehensive multi-year Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that gives farmers and ranchers more certainty in this tough time, while giving USDA tools to help those producers affected by weather-related events beyond their control."