The Senate passed the so-called “CRomnibus” Saturday evening by a vote of 56 to 40. The $1.1 trillion measure to keep the government funded through September 2015 includes several provisions important to agriculture. “This legislation contains important policy provisions that prevent the government from reaching into the lives of ordinary American citizens,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK). “Provisions like those … Read More
Cattlemen: Federal Spending Bill Good for Producers
As the U.S. House funds much of the federal government through September of 2015 (and we wait for the Senate to pass the bill as well), cattle producers are happy with what’s in that bill. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says this appropriations bill contained many of the priorities for cattlemen and women. “We were very happy to see a … Read More
Coalition Glad to See Congress Act on COOL
Congress has moved in the to make sure U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for meat products comply with U.S. trade obligations in the new appropriations bill. The bipartisan action to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to report recommendations no later than May 1, 2015 to Congress gained the praise of the COOL … Read More
Dairy Industry Urges Negotiators to Prioritize TPP
The U.S. dairy industry advised top U.S. government agricultural trade negotiators that their efforts on any final Pacific Rim free trade agreement must put access to foreign markets for U.S. dairy farmers and processors first, and avoid pressure from other countries to regionalize all new market access opportunities in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the … Read More
COOL Reform Calls for Congressional Action
A group of food, ag and manufacturing representatives are calling on Congress to take action on the issue of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law. The COOL Reform Coalition sent a letter to Congress, asking for immediate action to put together a contingency plan for the COOL law, which the group says, as it stands now, could cause … Read More
NMPF Comments on Immigration Policy
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) just released a statement on the White House Executive Action on immigration policy. NMPF President and CEO, Jim Mulhern said: “The executive action announced by the White House this week will not solve the current or future needs of dairy farmers. We still need congressional action, in the form of comprehensive legislative reform of … Read More
Milk Producers Ask for Changes to WOTUS Rule
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) wants some changes to the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulation. This news release from the group outlines what it wants the Environmental Protection Agency to do about the controversial proposal that could greatly expand the waterways subject to regulation under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). NMPF, the voice of more than … Read More
NCBA Calls for Border Security & Immigration Reform
In the latest issue of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) newsletter they highlight cattlemen and women’s call for border security and immigration reform. President is expected to announce his plan to address the immigration issue in the U.S. through a series of executive orders. While we do not know what exactly what the executive orders will address, we do know … Read More
FSA Programs Assist Producers
Administrator for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Val Dolcini, explained what programs his agency has to assist livestock producers during National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk last week in Kansas City, MO. “The Dairy Margin Protection Program (DMPP) is going to cover the margin between the national price of milk and the cost of feed. And while milk prices … Read More
Milk, Cattle Groups Join Call for Restoration of Tax Breaks
Groups representing dairy and cattle producers have joined dozens of other ag groups calling for the restoration of some tax cuts. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are asking Congress to restore Section 179, a tax code provision that allows small businesses, including farms, to write off capital purchases such as equipment immediately, … Read More