House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) today introduced the first draft of a new farm bill, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2). ““The farm bill keeps faith with our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the current agriculture recession by providing certainty and helping producers manage the enormous risks that are inherent in agriculture,” said Rep. Conaway. …
Ag Policy Update: Farm Bill, Budget Deals & Trade
The Missouri Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference took place over the weekend. I was able to attend with my husband and had great intentions to not ‘work.’ But when I heard topics being discussed that are timely and others might learn from, I couldn’t help but pull out my recorder and gather some content. Missouri Farm Bureau’s Director …
#FarmBill18 Listening Session in Missouri
The Missouri Farm Bureau hosted a listening session on the 2018 Farm Bill at Lake Ozark, Missouri this week featuring: – Ranking Member House Ag Committee, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) – Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) – Chairman Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Chris Giancarlo – Former Congressman Kenny Hulshof – Retired Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation, Dr. Bob Young, – Senior …
House Ag Chair Says Farm Bill on Track
House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway (R-TX) says they are moving forward with work on the 2018 Farm Bill. “Still on track for late for fourth quarter (this year) or early first quarter of next year,” said Conaway during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “We’re going to be ready on the committee…when floor time opens up.” Rep. Conaway was …
Ag Groups Provide NAFTA Input
A number of agricultural organizations provided their input to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) this week regarding the upcoming negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “NAFTA has been overwhelmingly beneficial for the vast majority of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. for decades,” said Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft in comments on …
Peanut and Cotton Growers Provide Farm Bill Input
Peanut and cotton growers provided their input into commodity programs in the next farm bill during a hearing this week before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Georgia farmer Tim McMillan testified on behalf of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation in support of maintaining the peanut provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill and the …
Agri-Pulse Farm Bill Summit
Agri-Pulse hosted a Farm Bill Summit in Washington DC on the day before National Ag Day as part of their on-going Farm Bill Series. This post features photos and audio from the event on March 20 at the National Press Club. Agri-Pulse Farm Bill Summit photos Preview of Agri-Pulse Farm Bill Summit: Duvall Addresses Agri-Pulse #FarmBillSummit The …
Farm Bill Celebrates First Birthday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined USDA’s progress in implementing the 2014 farm bill during a press conference Thursday. Joining Secretary Vilsack in the 2014 Farm Bill birthday recognition Wednesday was Ben LaCross, the Michigan fruit farmer who was at the signing of the bill last year; Michael O’Gorman, Executive director of Farmer Veteran Coalition; and Edgar Pruitt, an Alabama farmer …
USDA Announces New Farm Bill Program
USDA is making plans to launch new Farm Bill program to help provide relief to farmers impacted by severe weather, including drought. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Actual Production History (APH) Yield Exclusion, available nationwide for farmers of select crops starting next spring, allows eligible producers who have been hit with severe weather to receive a higher approved …
USDA Update on Farm Bill
Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a media conference call to provide a six month update on Farm Bill implementation progress. The 2014 Farm Bill reforms agricultural policy reduces the deficit and helps grow the economy. Since the Farm Bill was signed by President Obama on February 7, 2014, USDA has made progress throughout all Farm Bill titles including the …
Farm Bill Bio Benefits
Just as President Obama was preparing to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 into law, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) held a media conference call Friday to highlight expansion of the Farm Bill’s energy programs to renewable companies and discuss next steps for the industry to achieve parity with other renewable technologies. Participating in the call were: Matt Carr, BIO …
President Signs Farm Bill
President Obama traveled to Michigan State University to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 at the alma mater of Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Stabenow was among those who joined the president as he signed the bill, along with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and others. Listen to or download the …
Vilsack on Farm Bill Priorities
The U.S. Senate today passed the long-overdue 2012 Farm Bill by a vote of 68-32. According to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, the Agricultural Act of 2014 will “reform agriculture programs, reduce the deficit, and help farmers, ranchers and business owners grow the economy.” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the bill includes “meaningful reform and billions of dollars in …
Iowa Senator to Vote No on Farm Bill
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced last week that he intends to vote against the farm bill conference report passed by the House. In a floor speech on Thursday, January 30, Sen. Grassley explained why he opposed the Agricultural Act of 2014. “I strongly support the business of agriculture….But if I were to vote yes on this bill, it would be …
Livestock Groups Address Farm Bill Concerns
Livestock organizations and food associations are opposing the farm bill out of conference committee this week because makes no changes to the Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL), which is being challenged by Mexico and Canada over world trade violations. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Scott George, National Association of Manufacturers director of international trade policy Jessica Lemos, and National …