21 Jun 2013

Loebsack Statement on the House Farm Bill

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House voted down the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (HR 1947), the farm bill.

"The inability of the House to come together and move a farm bill forward is inexcusable. I have been calling for a farm bill for over a year now.  Failure to enact a farm bill means jobs in our rural communities are at risk and cuts to rural and farm initiatives critical to Iowa's economy are likely. I stood with the entire Iowa delegation to advance this critical legislation for farmers, Iowa's economy, and families.  The Senate was able to find commonsense compromise.  The House needs to do the same.

"I am deeply concerned with the extreme cuts to anti-hunger initiatives, known as SNAP, that were contained in the bill.  Our economy is still struggling to recover and many families rely on this program to put food on the table and ensure their children do not go to school hungry.  I was the only member from Iowa to cosponsor an amendment to restore these cuts and fought to have it included in the bill. Today's vote shows that restoration of SNAP funding is critical to a farm bill being enacted.

"I am also concerned that this bill would have gutted rural energy measures that are critical to Iowa jobs and energy independence.  There were over 1,600 rural energy projects initiated in Iowa between 2003 and 2012, many stemming from farm bill energy programs. These investments are vitally important to job creation and Iowa's economy.  I led the fight to ensure farmers and rural businesses have continued access to an important energy and economic development tool with my amendment that was added to the bill to strengthen the REAP program.

"I will continue to fight to get a farm bill signed into law that supports families, farmers and our rural economy."

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21 Jun 2013

Beltway Beef

By National Cattlemen's Beef Association

The disappointing news of the week is that the House failed to pass its version of the 2013 Farm Bill. If the bill had passed, cattlemen and women would have been one step closer to having a full five-year farm bill. NCBA President Scott George expresses his disappointment over the House's actions in this week's Beltway Beef.

 

The estate tax, commonly known as the death tax, continues to be an issue which deeply affects farmers and ranchers across the country. Just yesterday, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013. NCBA Past President Steve Foglesong made remarks during the press conference about the importance of repealing this tax once and for all. Read more here.

 

Two new public policy interns have joined the NCBA D.C. office. They will be working alongside NCBA's lobbying team, regulatory experts, communications team and political action committee to ensure legislative and regulatory actions taken inside the nation's Beltway do not negatively affect cattle producers. Read more about these two new staffers in this week's issue of Beltway Beef.

Our columnist this week is Rep. Bob Goodlatte. It's simple; the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) needs to be taken off the menu. Goodlatte explains why in his Beltway Beef column, and talks about his legislation to repeal the RFS. Similar legislation was introduced today in the Senate by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.),  Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). Read more about the RFS here.

 

Click here to read this edition of Beltway Beef. You can also scroll down to read the articles included in this week's newsletter. Be sure to read the Beltway Beef blog; follow Beltway Beef on Twitter; like us on Facebook; subscribe to us on YouTube; check out our photos on Flickr; and listen to our podcast.

21 Jun 2013

Soy Industry Helps Build Markets in the Middle East

By United Soybean Board
U.S. soy family meets with customers, experts to discuss secure trade
ST. LOUIS (June 20, 2013) - Two years ago, countries in the Middle East, such as Syria, were promising  markets for U.S. soy exports, but political unrest threatens the stability of the region and has long disrupted lines of trade. This week, leaders from the soy checkoff and the American Soybean Association (ASA) met with Middle Eastern and North African customers in Amman, Jordan, to discuss secure ways to maintain exports during turbulent times.
"Markets in the Middle East represent a valuable and impactful dual opportunity for the U.S. soy family," says ASA Chairman Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. "Soybeans provide nutritious protein for those in need; and as the markets emerge and buying power increases, so does the demand for the animal agriculture products of which our soybeans are such an integral part."
Most soybean imports in the Middle East and North Africa are crushed, and the meal is used for poultry and aquaculture feed, leaving the oil for use in cooking and frying. Between 2010-2011, Syria, as a hub of soy imports, brought in 18 million bushels of U.S. soybeans. The hope for this meeting in Jordan is to find more stable lines for trade to increase U.S. soy exports to the region. Countries such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates could be potential trade centers for U.S. agriculture in this area.
While in the region, Wellman and United Soybean Board (USB) farmer-leader Scott Singlestad attended the dedication of the U.S. Soybean Export Council's Dubai office. This office, located in an international business hub of the area, will provide the U.S. soy industry access to even more potential customers.
"We're there to provide information that they want on soy in nutrition for both humans and animals," adds Scott Singlestad, soybean farmer from Waseca, Minn. "There's no better way to keep peace in the world than to make sure everyone has enough food."
The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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21 Jun 2013

Loebsack Amendment to Support Rural Energy Added to Farm Bill

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after his amendment to ensure farmers and rural businesses have continued access to an important energy and economic development tool was added to the farm bill that is being debated by the House.  Currently, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) supports farmers and rural small businesses in pursuing energy project investments including windpower, biofuels, solar, and anaerobic digestion. Loebsack's amendment would allow farmers and rural small businesses to be able to continue to create jobs and grow our rural economy in a value-added and sustainable way.

"Investment in energy projects put people to work, create entrepreneurial opportunities, and generate new value-added opportunities for our farmers, rural small businesses, and communities," said Loebsack.  "In Iowa alone, over 1,600 rural energy projects were initiated between 2003 and 2012, many stemming from farm bill energy programs.  My amendment stresses the importance of farm bill energy programs to job creation and our rural economies, and allows one of our best resources - our farmers - to play a critical role in our domestic energy production."

Specifically, Loebsack's amendment reinstates feasibility studies under REAP in the Energy Title of the bill. Full text of the amendment can be found here.

Video of Loebsack speaking on the floor in support of his amendment can be seen here.

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20 Jun 2013

Dayton Coyne Wins Honors in National Swine Registry Contest

By Susan Grebner

ICC Team Wins Top Collegiate Team

EAST PEORIA, IL (06/18/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Central College livestock judging team recently competed in the 2013 National Picture Judging Contest sponsored by the National Swine Registry. Open to youth and adult participants, the contest includes divisions for 4-H, FFA, and collegiate teams. Participants had to rank classes of swine from photos published in the Registry's December 2012 issue of Seedstock Edge.

Dayton Coyne, of Milan, IL, member of first place team.

The team is coached by Grant Grebner.

Of the 23 collegiate teams who competed, Illinois Central College teams placed first and fifth overall. Western Illinois University placed second, and teams from Black Hawk College - East Campus placed third and fourth.

19 Jun 2013

Learn & Live: Grain industry hazards kill, injure hundreds each year

By Scott Allen

OSHA, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, Illinois Grain Handling Safety Coalition work together to promote safe practices

CHICAGO - Five seconds. That is how quickly a worker can become engulfed in flowing grain and be unable to get out.

Sixty seconds. That is how quickly a worker can be completely submerged in flowing grain. More than half of all grain engulfments result in death by suffocation.

In 2010, at least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain engulfments, the highest number on record. Among the deaths were two Illinois teens and a 49-year-old worker who had entered a grain bin "a million times."

In the past 50 years, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported with a fatality rate of 62 percent, according to researchers at Purdue University in Indiana.

Record death and injuries in 2010, led the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to reach out to the agricultural and grain handling industries to find ways to prevent deaths and injuries. OSHA also developed a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities focusing on the grain and feed industry's six major hazards. These include engulfment, falls, auger entanglement, "struck by," combustible dust explosions and electrocution hazards.

"OSHA is working hard to change the 'it won't happen to me' mindset," said Nick Walters, OSHA Regional Administrator for six Midwestern states. "Grain handling injuries and deaths can be prevented if employers follow proper safety procedures."

Suffocation can occur when a worker becomes buried by grain as they walk on moving grain or attempt to clear grain built up on the inside of a bin. Moving grain acts like "quicksand" and can bury a worker in seconds. "Bridged" grain and vertical piles of stored grain can also collapse unexpectedly if a worker stands on or near it. The behavior and weight of the grain make it extremely difficult for a worker to get out of it without assistance.

OSHA and the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois have formed a state-wide alliance to get the word out on prevention. A grain bin entry permit has been developed to aid those working in and around bins to identify and control potential hazards.

"This alliance is an opportunity for OSHA to work together with the grain and agricultural industries and the agricultural community to train employers and workers about the unique hazards of the grain and feed industry," said Walters. "Through training, decals, brochures, websites, and other means of information communication, we will continue to work to improve awareness of these hazards and the safety and health of workers on Illinois farms and in grain handling facilities. We are committed to preventing the injuries and deaths that have been too frequent in the industry in recent years."

OSHA, the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois and the Illinois Grain Handling Safety Coalition have also developed a stop sign decal to adhere to grain bin doors using pictures and short phrases reminding entrants to lockout potentially hazardous equipment, stay clear of waist high grain, cover floor holes and to follow other best practices. Individuals or companies can email the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois at info@gfai.org to request the decal, which is pictured above.

OSHA has also published information related to common grain industry hazards and abatement methods, proper bin entry techniques, sweep auger use, and many other grain related topics at www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/index.html.  OSHA's Grain Bin LEP is used in 25 states.

In addition, the University of Illinois was awarded a U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Susan Harwood Training Grant Program and has partnered with the Grain Handling Safety Coalition for the development of training materials and outreach to educate workers and employers on how to recognize, avoid and prevent safety and health hazards in grain bins.

The Grain Handling Safety Coalition can provide all the necessary training materials to train farmers, commercial grain handling employees, youth, rescue workers and more for free or at a very reduced rate. There are five different safety topics available including an overview of grain handling and storage safety, grain bin entry as well as entanglement, fall and confined space hazards. GHSC also offers "Train the Trainer" courses for companies and communities to have a local resource for training. More information is available at www.grainsafety.org .

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions exist for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov.  The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

# # #

18 Jun 2013

Heritage Reacts: "Farm Bill" is misnamed

By Corrine Williams

This week The US House of Representatives is set to vote on the misnamed "Farm Bill". This is not a farm bill; it's a food stamp bill. Food stamps make up roughly 80 percent of the bill. The 20 percent of the bill that is left is mostly handouts in the form of corporate welfare and other programs that benefit special interests.

Further, this "Farm Bill" is 56% MORE costly than the last. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected the last farm bill, in 2008, to cost $604 billion. The new House farm bill is projected to cost a whopping $940 billion. This is 56 percent more than the 2008 farm bill. If this wasn't bad enough, the actual costs will likely be much greater, just like the actual costs of the 2008 bill

1.       This is not a farm bill; it's a food stamp bill.  Food stamps make up roughly 80 percent of the bill.  The 20 percent of the bill that is left is mostly handouts in the form of corporate welfare and other programs that benefit special interests.

2.      This "farm" bill is a textbook example of legislative logrolling.  The issues of food stamps and farming are far too important to be jammed together in a behemoth of a bill totaling a trillion dollars. When it comes to debating a bill with a price tag as large as this one, Congress owes it to the American taxpayers to engage in careful consideration of these programs.

3.      The farm bill is filled with favors for special interests.  One of the ways Congress can achieve reform that benefits taxpayers is by separating the "farm" bill into two components and consider each independently on its own merits.  The combination of food stamps and farm policy into a single bill holds us back from debating meaningful reforms in either area.

4.      The farming industry as a whole is enjoying record profits, yet  special interests continue to lobby Congress to  create new programs that not only help guarantee profit, but pad their already healthy bottom line.  Large corporate farms don't need and shouldn't receive massive subsidies from taxpayers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet.

a.       In fact, about 75 percent of large farms receive subsidies compared to only 24 percent of small farms.  Consider that people like former President Jimmy Carter, the Rockefeller family and even some Members of Congress receive these taxpayer-funded subsidies.

5.      Ironically the exact policies crafted in the 1930's to help struggling farmers are the same ones that are now placing the smaller farms at a competitive disadvantage with the larger farms.  A lot has changed since the enactment of the first farm bill.  Congress shouldn't continue outdated policies simply to coddle this thriving, innovative industry that is led by business leaders who can manage risk as well anyone else.

6.      Both the House and Senate "farm" bills eliminate flawed programs only to create new programs that could turn out to be even worse. Despite claims of cutting spending some the House is projected to spend 56 percent more than the projected costs of the 2008 farm bill.  Additionally, taxpayers could be on the hook for millions more because Congress is assuming the cost of these programs will be much cheaper than what reality may prove.

7.      Spending on food stamps has doubled between 2008 and 2011, from approximately $40 billion to $80 billion respectively.  Today roughly one in seven Americans receive food stamps, and although we're seeing a slowly improving economy, there has not been a corresponding decrease in the number of individuals receiving food stamps.  Despite these realities, the spending cuts proposed in the House version of the farm bill are so minimal that they won't even cover the amount of fraud, waste and abuse plaguing the food-stamp program.

8.      The farm bill is central planning at its very worst.  If left on its current path, the farm bill will continue to roll right over taxpayers and leave any notion of fiscal responsibility in the dust. When politicians from both parties come together to irresponsibly spend taxpayer dollars and drive up the cost of food for families, Congress isn't working for the American people


14 Jun 2013

DEADLINE EXTENDED: NOMINATIONS FOR 2013 IOWA FARM ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER AWARDS NOW DUE JULY 1

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

Deadline pushed back due to delayed planting season as a result of the wettest spring on record

(DES MOINES) -  Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that deadline for nominations for the 2013 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards has been pushed back to July 1, 2013. The previous deadline was June 15.

Iowa has experienced the wettest spring on record, which has significantly delayed planting. Just 92 percent of Iowa corn and 60 percent of Iowa soybean crops have been planted as of June 9th.

"The record-setting wet weather this spring has significantly delayed planting and as a result farmers have understandably been focused on their fields, not award nominations," said Branstad. "Recognizing and encouraging farmers who have taken the lead in incorporating conservation practices into their operations is important to help reinforce their conservation ethic and encourage others to follow their lead."

The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and adopted best management practices throughout their farming operation.

"Iowa farmers take their role seriously in preserving our precious natural resources, and we look forward to hearing these stories," said Reynolds. "We are proud to hold up these farmers as examples of environmental stewardship and highlight their practices for others to follow."

Nomination forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov under "Hot Topics.

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources and it seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.

An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.

The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 15 at the Penningroth Center.  A lunch for award winners sponsored by Hagie will follow at the Farm Bureau shelter house on the fairgrounds.

The award was created in 2012 and 67 Iowa farm families were recognized during the inaugural award ceremony at the Iowa State Fair.  Winners receive a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto.

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12 Jun 2013

IOWA FARM BUREAU APPLAUDS SENATE PROGRESS ON FARM BILL; URGES FORWARD MOVEMENT FROM HOUSE

By Laurie Johns

Iowa Farm Bureau Says Iowa Farmers Have Waited Long Enough to End DC Farm Bill Gridlock

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - June 11, 2013 -Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization, applauds the Senate's bipartisan passage of the 2013 farm bill, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act.  Although it has been months in development and the subject of much debate, the bill's risk management tools and viable economic safety net is welcomed by Iowa's farmers.

"For too long, political chasms in Washington over the farm bill have been casting a mood of uncertainty for Iowa farmers and agribusiness industries.   We know this year's crop is a crucial one for global market exports, biofuel production and Iowa's grain and livestock farmers and we know this new farm bill will have changes in the commodity program; new dairy programs, new risk management programs and producers need to understand them, to help them make choices. Producers also want the confidence that crop insurance plans will be maintained and conservation programs are available," said IFBF President Craig Hill.

Work now intensifies in the House, as it moves forward with its farm bill legislation, which has some notable differences from the bi-partisan Senate version passed last night.  "We urge the House to continue movement forward on this very important legislation, because so much is hanging in the balance when it comes to food production and food security of our nation.  We've all waited long enough for this to get inked," said Hill.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online Newsroom page at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

11 Jun 2013

Farm and Nutrition Bill Clears Senate, Grassley Payment Limits Intact

By Grassley Press
WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley made the following comment after the Senate passed the farm and nutrition bill.  The final vote was 66-27.  The bill keeps intact Grassley's provisions to focus farm payments on small- and medium-sized farmers and close loopholes that allow non-farmers to game the farm program system.

"The bill that cleared the Senate tonight is a step in the right direction.  Having responsible payment limits on the commodity program is crucial to the defensibility of the farm safety-net.  We need payment caps on our commodity programs, and we need to close loopholes that have allowed non-farmers to game the system.  I hope the House takes notice at the reforms in the Senate-passed bill and sees the positive changes we made to the farm payment system.

"And, while the inclusion of my payment limits plan is very reform-minded, the target price program that is included in the final bill will take us back a step.  Target prices distort planting decisions, and I hear opposition to it from Iowa farmers all the time.  We've tried it before and it doesn't work.

"While I continue to have concerns about the potential impacts of the shallow loss and target price programs created in this farm bill, I would also agree with the overwhelming sentiment from Iowa farmers that they need to have certainty.  A five-year farm bill that includes my payment limit reforms, maintains the crop insurance program, and streamlines conservation programs gives that certainty."

Background information:

Grassley has long sought reform of the farm payment system.  His provisions that were included in the bill are nearly identical to legislation he introduced earlier this year that would place a hard cap on the farm payments an individual farmer can receive in a year and close long-abused and well-documented loopholes in the farm payment program.   The legislation would establish a per farm cap of $50,000 on all commodity program benefits, except those associated with the marketing loan program (loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains), which would be capped at $75,000.  Thus the combined limit would be $125,000, or, for married couples, $250,000.  The $50,000 cap would apply to whatever type of program is developed as part of the new Farm Bill. The bill also closes loopholes that currently allow non-farmers to qualify for federal farm payments and would allow one off-farm manager, but only one.

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