Senate Republicans and agriculture industry leaders held a press conference in Washington today to discuss the ways new trade deals could benefit the agriculture community and urge passage of the bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. Senators speaking on behalf of TPA included Republican Conference Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) … Read More
Learn About Livestock Barn Banners
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s newest product, “Learn About Livestock” barn banners, was developed for use at fairs and livestock shows. The banners feature key information about major livestock species related to production, lifecycle, the environment, how farmers care for animals and safety. Banners featuring information about dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry are available … Read More
Meat Prices Higher in AFBF Survey
The cost of beef and pork are the biggest contributors to higher grocery prices this spring. Farm Bureau’s Spring Picnic Marketbasket survey shows that the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $53.87, up $.60 or about 1 percent compared to a survey conducted a year ago. “Several meat items … Read More
Farm Bureau Opposes Proposed New York Carriage Ban
Farm Bureau is urging the mayor of New York City to reconsider his proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages. In this news release, the group points out how much pride horse caretakers take in protecting the health and safety of their animals. “This valued tradition allows people to connect with the horses and tour the city in a historic and unique … Read More
American Farm Bureau Files Brief in Egg Law Case
A California law that regulates agricultural production in other states is unconstitutional for multiple reasons, and a lower court ruling that barred other states from bringing suit against California on behalf of their citizens should be reversed, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed March 11, 2015 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the … Read More
Lawsuit to Protect Farmer Data Dismissed
Agricultural organizations seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency from releasing personal information of livestock and poultry farmers and ranchers in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests were dealt a blow this week when the federal district court in Minnesota dismissed the lawsuit. The court concluded that no federally permitted livestock or poultry farmer is injured by such … Read More
Canada Cattlemen Comment on COOL
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) attended the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention in mid-January as part of its ongoing lobbying efforts related to U.S. mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). The CCA is making sure that U.S. farmers, ranchers and legislators understand that Canada is serious about imposing tariffs on a wide variety of U.S. agriculture and processed … Read More
Feed Demand Remains High in FAPRI Outlook
The bumper corn crop this year means lower prices for the grain, but feed demand will continue to be strong… while demand to turn grains into biofuels will stagnate. That’s the mixed bag of information attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Patrick Westhoff, director of the Food and Agricultural Policy … Read More
Positive Outlook for Meat and Livestock
More supply and strong demand are expected to keep the outlook in the livestock sector pretty positive. During a workshop on the subject at the recent American Farm Bureau Federation Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, Dr. Glynn Tonsor, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University, talked about what the future would hold. “The meat-to-feed price … Read More
Ag is Target for Guest Worker Audits
Agriculture has a target on its back when it comes to compliance with guest worker regulations, according to Eileen Scofield an immigration law attorney who held a workshop at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting this week. “Currently there’s three agencies that focus on employers but for ag in particular there’s about five or six other separate laws which are … Read More