Governor Vilsack today called upon Iowa lawmakers to pass bills which willprovide some help for financially-ailing farmers. One measure would takeidle state funds which are normally invested and use the money to reduceinterest rates on livestock farmers’ loans by three percent. Vilsack sayshe doesn’t understand legislators reluctance to pass the bill.Another bill would force meatpackers to disclose the prices they pay for thehogs and cattle they buy on private contract. And Vilsack’s hoping to revive an “ethanol-only” bill.Vilsack also called upon Iowa’s congressional delegation to do all it can topush through some federal financial help for farmers.Other bills would extend one-Billion dollars worth of federal loans tostruggling farmers.