Friday's Headlines

“Senators Introduce Legislation to Tackle ‘Cow Tax’”

An unlikely pair - South Dakota Republican Senator John Thune and Democrat Charles Schumer of New York - have introduced legislation to prevent what’s been referred to as the cow tax on farmers and ranchers. The measure would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing Title V (five) operating permits - which automatically result in mandatory feeds - on U.S. agriculture operations under the Clean Air Act.

The American Farm Bureau Federation has calculated that regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act could cost farmers and ranchers 175-dollars per dairy cow - 87.50 per beef cow and 21.87 per hog. That’s why the organization is commending the bipartisan efforts of Thune and Schumer - and plans to work with them to ensure the legislation gains broad support.
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“California Bill Would Halt Antibiotics Use”

A California state legislator has introduced a bill that would practically end the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The bill would, as of January 1, 2012, prohibit schools from serving poultry and meat products which have been treated with antibiotics for non-therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Then three years later the law would be applied to the production of any human food produced in the state. The bill would also prohibit state and local governments in California from purchasing meat supplies raised using antibiotics for non-therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

The bill was introduced by Dean Florez, the California Senate majority leader and chairman of the food and agriculture committee. Previously, Florez introduced a measure that would ban tail-docking in dairy cattle. Michael Marsh, chief executive officer for Western United Dairymen, said - we’re curious to see where Florez is going with this legislation. The majority of what he’s proposing is unconstitutional.

Last September Dr. Craig Rowles, a veterinarian and partner with Elite Pork in Carroll, Iowa told the House Agriculture subcommittee that the U.S. pork industry has established programs that include principles and guidelines on antibiotic use that help protect animal and public health and animal well-being. He added, - as a swine veterinarian, I need all the tools available to live up to my oath - to protect animal health, relieve animal suffering and promote public health.
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“International Effort Focuses on Agriculture”

The International Federation of Agricultural Producers has proposed – the Farmers’ Priorities for Action – a five-point integrated approach towards building a new agricultural model that is people centered and knowledge based. The organization believes the implementation of these priorities by governments and United Nations institutions together with national farmers’ organizations is a prerequisite for achieving a sustainable future through agricultural development, while ameliorating adapting to the effects of climate change.

The five points include:
1. Recognize agriculture as an engine for economic growth, rural development and thus poverty reduction.
2. Establish conducive policy frameworks and allocate sufficient budgetary resources to attract investments into agriculture.
3. Take an integrated approach towards rural development strategies, in particular emphasizing basic rural infrastructure and recognizing women farmers as a driving force for any strategy.
4. Develop secure land tenure arrangements, especially for women farmers.
5. Combat desertification by turning dry lands into economic assets and give farmers effective risk management tools.

The president of the IFAP, Ajau Vashee, has challenged public policy makers worldwide to - shift their thinking to recognize agriculture and farmers' organizations as an engine for economic growth and harness the full potential of agriculture to reduce poverty and hunger and revitalize rural areas, while maintaining sustainable rural landscapes through the ecosystem services that farmers provide.
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“Young Farmer – Rancher Survey Results Reported”

A survey conducted during last month’s AFBF 2009 Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Sacramento, California, reveals that 89 percent of the respondents, about the same as last year, said they are better off than they were five years ago. Nearly half or 48 percent said they were more optimistic than five years ago, while just 20 percent said less optimistic and 32 percent said their level of optimism was the same.

In ranking a list of common challenges facing farmers and ranchers, the availability of land and facilities was the top concern with 21.3 percent of the respondents. Overall profitability and economic challenges was second cited by 17.1 percent. Government regulations was third at 12 percent, followed by urbanization and the loss of farmland; willingness of parents to turn over the reins of the operation; competition from established or larger farms; health care availability and cost; and challenges presented by animal welfare groups.

Regardless of those challenges, the survey also shows that a whopping 92 percent of the young farmers and ranchers see themselves as life-long farmers. An even larger percentage, 96 percent, say they would like to see their children follow in their footsteps.

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“AFBF Leader Asks for Liberal Trade Policy”

The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation has issued a bold challenge for WTO-member nations to seriously examine the idea of locking in their tariffs at current applied levels. Bob Stallman says that action would deliver a real reduction in global trade barriers and serve as an incentive for global economic activity. Stallman emphasized, the times of the United States - leading the world trade talks by concession are over.

While speaking to an international trade workshop in Richmond, Virginia Stallman addresses the domestic economic downturn. Stallman said - it is time to liberalize trade policy to avoid the mistakes made with the protectionist policies we had during the depression-era. The AFBF leader said - the message we are emphasizing to President Obama and his administration: Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past. Global economic downturns and protectionist trade policies do not mix.

Stallman said - we must take immediate steps. In tough economic times, we cannot turn our back on trade. In fact, we must be more aggressive than ever in seeking markets for our products - it is not time to set up roadblocks.
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“Argentine Government Responding to Producers”

Argentina has responded to requests by its producers to raise its quota for beef exports by 60-thousand tons. Argentina’s quota now stands at 610-thousand tons. The government in Buenos Aires will also scrap taxes on dairy goods and increase wheat prices.

Argentina’s farmers have been asking their government to eliminate restrictions on exports of all agricultural goods following the fall of commodities prices and devastating droughts. Grain sales were halted and highways were blocked last year as farmers protested tax increases and a beef-export ban.
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“American Farm Bureau Awards Golden Plow”

Pennsylvania Representative Tim Holden has received the Golden Plow award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Golden Plow is the highest honor Farm Bureau presents to members of Congress. Holden was honored for his support of America’s farmers and ranchers. According to Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman - with critical issues like maintaining farm bill support, renewable energy policy and regulatory concerns on the minds of farm families - Holden’s understanding of agriculture will be key during the 111th Congress.

In nominating Holden to receive the Golden Plow - Pennsylvania Farm Bureau cited his work as Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research. There he played an important role in focusing on conservation practices that support agriculture and helping farmers mitigate erosion and nutrient runoff. Once the farm bill was enacted - Holden used his position as vice chairman of the Ag Committee to address implementation problems with the 10-acre rule.

AFBF presents Golden Plow awards to one House member and one Senator each year.
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“Report Sites Benefits to Raising Ethanol Blend Limit”

The recently formed group - Growth Energy - has released a study that shows - increasing the ethanol blend in the nation's gasoline supply from 10 to 15 percent could create and support 136,101 new jobs. The report also states the change would - inject 24.4-billion dollars into the American economy annually. And the impact would be even greater if the cap was increased from 10 to 20 percent. The study was conducted by a group of current and former faculty of North Dakota State University.

Growth Energy co-chairman General Wesley Clark called the figures – dramatic. He says this proves - we can create desperately needed jobs in the midst of difficult economic times with a relatively simple step. And these are jobs that cannot be outsourced and will, according to Clark, - support rural communities and farmers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure the market for cellulosic ethanol.

Dr. Larry Leistritz, professor of agricultural economics at North Dakota State University and lead researcher on this report, points out - there have been many media reports about the struggling ethanol sector, but there has been little discussion about the cause – the regulatory cap of 10 percent. Leistritz says - lifting the cap could provide serious benefits by putting the industry on a path for growth and generating billions of dollars in revenue for many struggling communities.
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“Biofuels Plant Owner File for chapter 11 Protection”

Changing World Technologies, the owner of Renewable Environmental Solutions, a biofuels plant in Carthage, Missouri, has filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The owner sites escalating expenses for commercializing its waste conversion process. A Butterball turkey processing center has stopped shipping waste material to the plant where it was turned into fuel.
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