The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate says there are too many government regulations on the nation's food supply.

Jim Oberweis is a Republican state Senator and dairy magnate. He is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in November.

Oberweis told attendees at an agricultural forum coordinated by the Illinois Farm Bureau Wednesday that he asks farmers who provide milk to his dairy to sign a pledge not to use growth hormones and to treat animals humanely.

But he says the government can be overreaching in some regulations, including regulating the price of milk. He believes Republican control of Congress would help balance Democratic president Barack Obama.

Oberweis discussed issues before the group for an hour. Durbin, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and GOP governor candidate Bruce Rauner are scheduled to follow.