Representatives from state government, the agriculture community, and the ethanol industry all say the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuels requirements would have a negative impact on agriculture and rural economies. A telephone press discussion about the proposal held on Wednesday featured comments from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, American Farm Bureau economist Matt Erickson Renewable Fuels …
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at NAFB
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the 70th National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Annual Convention in Kansas City on Friday. The Secretary centered his comments around the RFS announcement, record levels of exports, drought issues and the farm bill. He also answered questions from the broadcasters. Listen to or download the entire one hour press conference: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo …
Group Hopeful Conference will end Catfish Program
The National Fisheries Institute is hopeful that the farm bill conference committee will finally repeal the USDA catfish inspection program that was authorized in the 2008 farm bill. In this interview, Gavin Gibbons with the Institute, talks about support in Congress for the repeal and threats of WTO-sanctioned retaliation against U.S. ag exports by Vietnam and China if the law …
House Passes WRRDA
By a vote of 417 to 3 on Wednesday, the House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), a bill that includes provisions to update locks and dams on the nation’s transportation waterways critical to agricultural trade. Two representatives from Illinois are particularly pleased with their contributions to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act or WRRDA overwhelmingly …
How Shutdown is Impacting Ethanol Industry
The nation’s capitol is “so quiet you can hear a pin drop” but the American Petroleum Institute (API) is still working to beat the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and the government shutdown means E15 retailers are unable to get approval. This edition of “The Ethanol Report” features an interview with Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen on various …
House Passes Nutrition Bill
By a vote of 217-210, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act on Thursday. Passage of the legislation finally completes the House work on a farm bill and will allow for a House-Senate conference committee to go to work. The bill was passed largely along party lines with all Democrats voting against and nearly …
USDA Awards Conservation Funds
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and NRCS Chief Jason Weller held a telephone press conference Tuesday to announce the award of Conservation Innovation Grants. Vilsack and Weller also took a number of questions from reporters, most of which centered around the need for passage of a new farm bill.
Ag Secretary Speaks to Growth Energy
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Growth Energy Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning, focusing on passage of a new five-year “food, farm and jobs bill” and maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Listen to or download Sec. Vilsack’s remarks here:
NFU Press Conference
The National Farmers Union held a star-studded press conference Monday in Washington to highlight two important issues for agriculture – passing a farm bill this year, and maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Speakers at the event included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) , Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), legendary rocker Neil Young, and NFU President Roger …
Agriculture Secretary at IA Farm Bureau Summit
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation 2013 Economic Summit on Monday, July 22, in Ames, Iowa. The secretary touched on a number of topics including climate change, conservation, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and the need for a long term food, farm and jobs bill. Afterward, Vilsack held a press conference where he answered questions …
2013 Southern Peanut Growers Conference
The 15th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference was held July 18-20, 2013 in Panama City Beach. The theme was Making Sustainability Work and we have links here to photos, posts and audio files from the conference, which included peanut industry representatives from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. 2013 SPGC Photo Album Southern Peanut Growers Team – Texas Congressman at Peanut …
Corn Growers in Washington
Members of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are in Washington this week to discuss policy issues and visit with lawmakers during another crucial point in the quest for a five year farm bill. In addition to farm policy, corn growers are talking with members of Congress about the Renewable Fuel Standard, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and the …
Senate Ag Chair Pushes House on Farm Bill
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) held a conference call with reporters on Monday urging the House to take that action before time runs out. “We’ve got only six legislative weeks before the current farm bill expires,” she said, noting that adds up to only 24 legislative days. “I’m willing to take whatever the House gives us and work …
Rep. Vicky Hartzler on Farm Bill and Budget
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) is a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on the Budget, plus she’s a farmer, so her perspective on what’s happening right now to try and get a farm bill passed is important to hear. In this interview, Hartzler discusses her frustration at seeing the House vote down the farm bill, …
Senate Hearing on Smithfield Acquisition
The Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, July 10, took a look at the proposed acquisition of Smithfield Foods by Chinese company Shuanghui International. Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) says the sale raises many questions about issues such as food safety, protection of intellectual property, and increased foreign ownership of the U.S. food supply. Smithfield Foods President and CEO C. Larry …