EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy’s promise that under the proposed rules defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) “all normal farming practices are exempt – period” may be falling on deaf ears in the agriculture community. McCarthy is visiting Missouri this week to explain the proposed rules but she faces an uphill battle from the … Read More
EPA Chief to Explain Water Rule in Missouri
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will travel to Missouri this week to defend and explain the Administration’s proposed rules defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). “I’m hoping that this trip helps us ‘ditch the myths’ and misinformation,” said McCarthy during a media call this morning in an obvious reference to the American … Read More
Farm Bureau: Tasty Fourth of July Fare Still a Bargain
While prices at the grocery store might have gone up a bit, our friends at the American Farm Bureau Federation say a Fourth of July picnic is still a bargain. The group’s latest marketbasket survey shows a party for 10 people with all the Independence Day favorites, such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers (topped with AMERICAN cheese we’ll assume), pork spare … Read More
AFBF Goes to ‘Music City, USA’
The American Farm Bureau Federation has announced the country music artists who will be performing at its 94th Annual Meeting, Jan. 13-16 in Nashville, Tenn., also known as “Music City, USA.” The three-part country music group Edens Edge will perform at the opening general session on Sunday Jan. 13, which begins at 9 a.m. The Arkansas trio is composed of … Read More
Thanksgiving Meal Cost Flat, But Dairy Portion Drops
It might cost you about the same to gobble up your Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner this year as it did last year, but while shoppers will be happy, dairy producers might not be so thankful. “Our meal for 10 people that includes a 16-pound turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, relish tray, pumpkin pie… the whole nine yards… this year we think … Read More
Expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill
Several major agricultural organizations issued a joint statement today on the official expiration of the 2008 farm bill. The 2008 law governing many of our nation’s farm policies expired on Sunday, September 30th, and the 2012 Farm Bill needed to replace it is bottled up in Congress. While the Senate and the House Agriculture Committees were both able to pass … Read More
Ag Groups Show United Front for Farm Bill Now Rally
Two agricultural organizations that are often on the opposite side of the fence have joined together in the fight to get the Farm Bill passed. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has united with the National Farmers Union as masters of ceremonies for the Farm Bill Now rally in Washington, D.C. on September 12 at 11:00 am EDT at Union … Read More
NMPF Among Those Urging Rejection of Disaster Bill
The National Milk Producers Federation is part of a coalition of about a dozen agriculture groups urging Senate leaders to “refrain from supporting” any legislation resembling the House-passed disaster bill should it come up in the Senate. The group also includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Corn Growers … Read More
Committee, Ag Leaders React to FARRM Bill Passage
It took nearly 15 hours, but members of the House Agriculture Committee were able to pass their version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) Bill. Committee Chair Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) praised the bipartisan legislation: “This is a balanced, reform-minded, fiscally responsible bill that underscores our commitment to production … Read More
House Ag Hearing on Biotech Focuses on Alfalfa
The future of biotech alfalfa was in the spotlight as the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Thursday to review the biotechnology product regulatory approval process. Prior to the hearing, committee chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) joined Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that the department “return to a science based regulatory system … Read More