Agri-Pulse‘s final panel discussion at their Farm Bill Summit covered “How the Farm Bill Can Help Bring the Next Generation Back to the Farm Through Investments in Infrastructure, Research, and Rural Development.” The moderator was Spencer Chase, Agri-Pulse Associate Editor. Krysta Harden, Vice President of Public Policy and Chief Sustainability Officer, DuPont; Laura Batcha, CEO, Organic Trade Association; Travis Medine, … Read More
Farm Bureau President Talks #FarmBill18
President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Zippy Duvall addressed the participants of the Agri-Pulse Farm Bill Summit last week. Using his best southern charm, Duvall addressed the issue of the upcoming farm bill, pointing out the different circumstances farmers and ranchers are in as the last bill was being written and the economic climate now. “The biggest problem with this … Read More
NMPF Stresses MPP Must be Priority for Farm Bill
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) testified before the House Agriculture Committee sharing priorities for the next farm bill and stating improvements to the dairy Margin Protection Program must be a top priority. Mulhern told committee members, “While MPP was, and is, the right approach for the future of federal dairy policy, the program … Read More
NPPC Farm Bill Priorities
The U.S. pork industry’s top priority for the next Farm Bill aligns with testimony from other animal ag groups – establishing a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank. The National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Vice President David Herring, a pork producer from Newtown Grove, N.C. also testified before the House Agriculture subcommittee this week. “If this country ever had an FMD … Read More
Turkey Federation Proposes Animal Disease Defense Plan
Also in testimony before the House Ag Committee’s Livestock Subcommittee, National Turkey Federation, Chairman Carl Wittenburg, North Dakota turkey farmer, warned that the recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) among chickens illustrates the risk that must be addressed. “As partners in the Animal Ag Coalition, which represents all facets of animal ag production,” said Wittenburg, “we hope to … Read More
Ranchers Positively Impact Sage Grouse
A new report released today finds that USDA’s Sage Grouse Initiative has helped to restore 4.4 million acres of habitat for sage-grouse since 2010 while still maintaining working landscapes across the West. “We’re working with ranchers who are taking proactive steps to improve habitat for sage-grouse while improving the sustainability of their agricultural operations,” Under Secretary for Natural Resources and … Read More
Disaster Aid for Bees, Livestock and Fish
Nearly 2,500 applicants will receive disaster assistance from USDA through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses suffered from Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2013. “As promised, we’re making sure that thousands of producers who suffered through two and a half difficult years without Farm Bill assistance, are getting some relief,” said Agriculture … Read More
Dairy Meetings Explain New Farm Bill Safety Net
Dairy producers must decide how much safety net they need and then sign up for the 2014 farm bill program before Nov. 28. Producers can learn the options in a series of meetings and a webinar, says Joe Horner, University of Missouri Extension dairy economist. “There has been lots of information in dairy magazines and online,” Horner says. “Some will … Read More
USDA Unveils Dairy Farm Risk Management Program
USDA has announced farmers can enroll in the new dairy Margin Protection Program starting September 1, 2014 and the agency has launched a new web tool to help producers with the program. Established under the 2014 Farm Bill, the voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the difference between the price of milk and feed costs falls below … Read More
Farm Bill With Dairy Reform Signed
President Obama traveled to Michigan State University to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 on Friday. “Despite its name, the farm bill is not just about helping farmers,” President Obama told the small crowd invited for the signing. “Secretary Vilsack calls it a jobs bill, an innovation bill, an infrastructure bill, a research bill, a conservation bill. It’s like a … Read More