"Mexico has a good dairy market. Very low labor costs, and a profitable dairy industry compared to what ours is," said Tom Fleming, Ohio Dairy Association.

Fleming was one of the representatives at a farm forum on Monday. He said his members must spend money to fight new regulations.

"As we see groups outside the state of Ohio try to mandate livestock agriculture, the challenges become greater," he added.

Food Safety is another issue for Ohio farmers.

"We have to deliver a product that's safe for our consumers here, but we can't overburden our growers with regulations that aren't valid," said Richard Wander of Ohio Produce Growers.

Food-borne illnesses cost the United States $152 billion a year.

Republican Sen. George Voinovich worried that the wrong legislation would further hurt Ohio's economy.

"People should understand in Ohio that Agribusiness is, by far, the most important business in this state.  It contributes more to the state's economy, to the state's gross product, than anything we got," said Voinovich.

Voinovich said he would be willing to work with a bipartisan group of senators on Cap & Trade legislation, reported ONN's Jim Heath.

"I'm going to work the next five or six weeks to see if there is an opportunity to reach some sort of compromise.  If there isn't than I'm going on to something else," said Voinovich.

Voinovich killed last year's bill and said Americans are losing interest in global warming. His support for Agribusiness did not go unnoticed, but industry leaders recognize a new senator is coming.

"We'll have a new person to deal with, and engage with, next year. But that's an opportunity we need to make sure we fulfill," said Jack Fisher, Ohio Farm Bureau.

©2010 by ONN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.