During his weekly call with farm reporters Tuesday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) gave his opinion on the last minute Farm Bill introduced Monday by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow. “The timing of this bill is disappointing and unrealistic,” said Grassley. “It’s a sad commentary that Senate Democrats kept farmers waiting two years before even releasing a bill text, while …
Last Minute Senate Farm Bill Introduced
On Monday, with only weeks before the end of this session of Congress, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) at last released the text of her nearly 1400 page farm bill the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. According to Sen. Stabenow, the bill includes funding from the IRA. “This bill will roll the historic investment we made in …
USDA Awards More Processing Plant Grants
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity, the final installment in the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) launched in 2022. Over $325 million total investment in 74 independent meat and poultry processing projects have been awarded. Joining Sec. Vilsack in making …
House Ag Hearing on Farm Financial Conditions
The House Agriculture Committee convened a hearing Tuesday to hear from farmers and rural lenders about the state of financial conditions in farm country. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) painted a depressing picture in his opening remarks. “Declining prices and cash receipts, escalating natural disasters, and increasing input costs have created a perfect storm that will compromise the foundation of …
USDA Awards $300 Million for Ag Export Growth
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was joined by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to announce the allocation of $300 million to 66 U.S. organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to build demand for American food and farm exports in diverse markets around the world. During an embargoed press call Monday announcing the funding, Sen. Stabenow made brief comments …
Minnesota Farmer Takes Over as NCGA President
Harold Wolle, a corn farmer from Madelia, Minn., took over as president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)this week. During a press conference Tuesday, Wolle talked about his goals over the next year, saying reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. He also noted that he plans to push for …
2023 Ag Outlook Forum
The ninth annual Ag Outlook Forum, hosted by AgBizKC and Agri-Pulse Communications, was held September 25, 2023 in Kansas City. The event featured top economists, industry leaders and government officials offering insights into trending food and agriculture issues. EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture Rod Snyder 41:06 Snyder talked about the agency’s commitment to biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). …
AFBF Establishes 2023 Farm Bill Priorities
American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall today outlined the organization’s 2023 Farm Bill priorities. The priorities were identified by a working group of Farm Bureau members and staff from across the country. AFBF’s overarching priorities include: Continuing current farm bill program funding; Maintaining a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; Prioritizing risk management tools …
Crop Insurers Hear from Senate Ag Committee Leaders
Organizations representing crop insurance companies held a virtual joint 2021 Crop Insurance Convention on February 9 where they heard from the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR). American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI) executive director Scott Graves welcomed Sen. Boozman, while Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) executive vice president …
USDA Deputy Provides Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing Thursday to hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky regarding implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, and commented on the EPA supplemental proposal out this week. Listen to his opening remarks below and read full testimony. (5:14) The announcement out of EPA this week regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard …
USDA Tracking Farm Bill Implementation
Now that the federal government is back at work, USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky says they are moving as quickly as possible to implement the new farm bill. During a Farm Foundation Forum on the realities of implementing the 2018 farm bill, Censky said USDA is using a “Fitbit” type of approach to tracking goals. Listen to Censky’s comments here:
President Trump Signs Farm Bill
President Donald Trump gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a happy birthday Thursday when he signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with many members of the agricultural community in attendance. Listen to remarks at the signing here: Among those privileged to witness the farm bill signing was Mick Henderson, general manager of Commonwealth Agri-Energy in Kentucky and past chairman of …
Conaway Pleased with Final Farm Bill
Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is a “big deal for rural America” and for House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), who loses his chairmanship next month when the Democrats take the majority in the House. After the House voted 386-47 to pass the conference report and send the bill to the president, Conaway released a video talking …
Nature Conservancy Backs Farm Bill Conservation Programs
As House and Senate Agriculture leaders keep working toward passing a farm bill yet this year, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is urging Congress to approve legislation that will continue to provide farmers and ranchers with the tools to conserve our nation’s land and water resources, according to Larry Clemens, TNC agriculture director for North America. Soil health is of particular …
ASTA Outlines Seed Industry Priorities for Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee is holding its first public meeting today in Washington and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has notified committee members of key provisions important to the seed industry within the legislation. In a recent letter to Conferees, ASTA highlighted priorities within the Conservation, Trade, Research, Horticulture and Crop Insurance titles. In the Trade title, …