17 Jul 2012

U.S. and South American Farmers Unite to Support Biotech

By United Soybean Board
United Soybean Board Directors and South American Farmers Meet with European Union Officials
ST. LOUIS (July 17, 2012) - Farmers who produce 90 percent of the world's soybean exports have joined forces to support biotechnology in the European Union.

Soybean farmers from the United States and their counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, though competitors in global soy trade, are presenting a united front in meetings with members of the European Union (EU) food and feed chain and representatives of the EU government. The farmers, part of a group formed in 2007 known as the International Soy Growers Alliance, plan to discuss the importance of biotechnology to feed a growing population and how slow government-approval processes and restrictions based on non-scientific reasoning cause trade disruption.

"This has been a very important meeting for us," says Bob Metz, soybean farmer from West Brown Valley, S.D., and vice chair of USB's Global Opportunities program. "The European Union is a very important customer for us and obviously a large population. They only produce about two percent of their protein needs in the European Union so they have a great dependence on the rest of the world for soybeans."

USB and the soy checkoff help collect and disseminate information about the safety of biotech soybeans to keep decision makers informed. The EU has a lengthy approval process on new biotech varieties, which have not only affected soy exports to these 27 countries, but also to other European countries as well as countries that trade with the EU.

"We have delivered a very strong message as we stand together with our South American friends saying that the market is moving forward with biotech events, not only from the United States but from universities in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as well," adds Metz. "As these new traits come forward, the European Union really needs to find a way to accept these traits in a more timely fashion."

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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17 Jul 2012

USDA Announces 2.0 Version of Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass

By USDA Communications
Updated Compass offers new case studies, updated map data, and enhanced search functions

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2012–USDA today unveiled an updated version of its Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. The KYF Compass is an interactive web-based document and map highlighting USDA support for local and regional food projects through successful producer, business and community case studies.

"Local food is a rapidly growing trend in American agriculture. It offers additional market opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food business entrepreneurs while enabling consumers to develop a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "The new stories and data in the 2.0 version of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass offer a comprehensive look at the impact local food is having across the country."

The updated version includes new case studies and additional mapped data, including locations of farmers markets, food hubs, and meat processing facilities. The map also features enhanced search functions that allow for easier navigation.

To celebrate the release of the Compass 2.0, USDA and the White House Office of Public Engagement are co-hosting a Google+ Hangout on Tuesday, July 17, at 3 pm EDT. The event will be moderated by Deputy Secretary Merrigan and White House Director of Public Engagement Jon Carson. The Hangout will feature women leaders in local food from around the country and can be viewed on www.Whitehouse.gov/live or on the White House Google+ Page. USDA will also host a follow-up #ASKUSDA Twitter chat on local food and the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative on Thursday, July 24, at 1:30 pm.

In September 2009, USDA launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to coordinate USDA resources and expertise on local and regional food systems. In February, 2012, USDA first released the KYF Compass to document the ways in which USDA has collaborated across its 17 agencies and additional offices, enhanced transparency and met congressional mandates from the 2008 Farm Bill on local and regional food. KYF is not a separate USDA program or agency. It is a management initiative to increase inter-agency coordination.

For more information, visit the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer or join the conversation on Twitter by using the hash tag #KYF2.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

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13 Jul 2012

Schilling Supports Bipartisan Farm Bill

By Andie Pivarunas

Bill protects safety net, strengthens rural America, should continue forward
Washington, DC - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) released the following statement today after the House Agriculture Committee held 14 hours of debate and early this morning approved H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act by a vote of 35-11, with his support:

"As the Ag Committee has been working towards passage of the next farm bill, I've appreciated all the feedback from our area's farmers and producers," Schilling said. "Illinois' 17th District is an agricultural powerhouse, and their input on the needs of the 'final three feet' has been invaluable to me as the Committee has worked to produce a farm bill that works for America and provides farmers and producers the tools they need to manage their risk and do what they do best, which is feed our country."

Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-03) and members of the Committee joined Schilling at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg last March for a field hearing on the area's priorities for the next farm bill.  Witnesses at that hearing expressed the importance of developing policy that appreciates and recognizes the risks involved with growing food and fiber.  They stressed the need for an effective safety net and a choice of risk management tools to enable farmers to continue producing a stable food supply and competing in a global marketplace.

The five-year FARMM Bill that passed the Committee this morning has a strong crop insurance title, and would save $35 billion in mandatory funding over 10 years.  Sixteen billion dollars in savings comes from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, which account for about 80 percent of farm bill funding.  

"The SNAP program is vital, and it's important to me that those who are most in need continue to receive help," Schilling said. "I'm grateful that Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson adopted ideas supported by both Democrats and Republicans to ensure that this farm bill closes loopholes and eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP law, such as preventing lottery winners from receiving benefits, while continuing to provide assistance to those that need it.  With 8.2 percent unemployment, the more people we can put back to work, the fewer people on programs like SNAP.  From day one, I have been focused on relentlessly advocating for polices that help put Americans back to work with good paying jobs.

"With the Ag Committee having passed this bill, it should be brought to the floor to ensure that farmers and producers have the certainty of a five-year farm bill and needy families have the certainty of continued assistance."

At $136.3 billion, 2011 was a record year for U.S. agricultural exports.  According to the United States Department of Agriculture, every $1 billion in AG exports provides for 8,400 related jobs for men and women here in America.

Background:

What is the Farm Bill? This 12 title bill sets forth policies on commodities, conservation, trade, nutrition, credit, rural development, research, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance and miscellaneous issues.

How much money would the House Agriculture Committees Farm Bill Save? $35 billion ($16 billion from nutrition/SNAP, $14 billion from commodity programs and about $6 billion from conservation).

The Senate Farm Bill would save about $23 billion.

Where does the money go? Over a period of ten years, the Congressional Budget Office has determined that these programs receive $995 billion in budget authority.  $772 billion, or 78 percent, goes to food stamps.  While called "the Farm Bill", this legislation is really a food and nutrition bill.

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To send Congressman Schilling an e-mail, click here
12 Jul 2012

Loebsack Stands Ready to Support Iowa Farmers Affected by Drought-like Conditions

By Joe Hand

Encourages Eastern Iowa Farmers to Attend Drought Meeting July 18th

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today offered his support and assistance to Iowa farmers whose livestock and crops have been damaged by the recent heat wave and lack of rain across the state.  Loebsack has been traveling throughout Iowa, meeting with farmers and livestock producers and has heard firsthand of the worsening conditions, which provided him information to make USDA aware of the conditions on the ground.

"I have kept in close touch with Iowa farmers and livestock producers that have been hurting from the heat wave and lack of rain.  Iowans have lost livestock, are worried about the quality of the crop, and are seeing grazing land dry up. I have taken those concerns directly to USDA to let them know about what I'm hearing from farmers.  I am pleased Iowa farmers will have an opportunity to talk with the Governor about their concerns.  I stand ready to assist the Governor in pursuing assistance for farmers from USDA if necessary.  This is why I also pushed to have a livestock disaster aid program included in the new farm bill and I'm happy to say it's been included in the proposal."

Tuesday, July 18, 2012

 

9am                 Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold public meeting on dry and D1 Drought conditions

Mt. Pleasant High School gymnasium

2104 South Grand Avenue

Mount Pleasant, IA

12 Jul 2012

Grassley seeks scrutiny of commodity broker regulatory system

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley is asking the leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee to address the PFGBest broker scandal during a hearing scheduled for Aug. 1 about the loss of funds by farmers, grain co-ops and commodity brokers when MF Global's broker-dealer unit collapsed late last year.

Grassley also is asking the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to provide information on what the CFTC did in response to red flags that were raised with the commission regarding PFGBest.

"We have to make sure regulators are doing their job, and congressional oversight is a very important means for doing so," Grassley said.  "People need to have confidence in our commodity trading system in order for it to work for farmers and investors the way it's intended."

Click here for Grassley's letter to Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts.  Click here for Grassley's letter to CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler.  Below is the text of both letters.

July 12, 2012

The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture
Nutrition and Forestry
Russell Senate Office Building 328A
Washington, D.C. 20510-6000

The Honorable Pat Roberts
Ranking Member, Committee on Agriculture
Nutrition and Forestry
Russell Senate Office Building 328A
Washington, D.C. 20510-6000

Dear Chairman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts:

I know you are both just as concerned as I am with the recent events involving the brokerage firm Peregrine Financial Group Inc., ("PFGBest").  From the hearing the Senate Agriculture Committee conducted earlier this year on MF Global, it's clear the members of the committee understand just how important our commodity markets are to U.S. agriculture and our economy.

In light of the troubling news reports about how long PFGBest had shown signs of trouble, it's important the Senate Agriculture Committee look into the PFGBest matter in the same manner as what we have done regarding MF Global.  We have to make sure regulators are doing their job.

I appreciate the fact you have scheduled another hearing regarding MF Global for August 1, 2012.  I respectfully request that you broaden the scope of that hearing to include a look into the PFGBest matter, and ensure there is a witness from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") present at the hearing who is able to answer questions regarding PFGBest.

I thank you in advance for your consideration of my request.  Please feel free to contact me or my staff if you have any questions.

Sincerely,



Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator


July 12, 2012

Chairman Gary Gensler
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20581

Dear Chairman Gensler:

The recent developments involving Peregrine Financial Group ("PFG") causes me serious concern as to whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") is properly overseeing the activities of commodity brokerage firms.  With the events of MF Global fresh in everyone's memory, we now are faced with yet another incident in which farmers' and investors' money may not have been properly safeguarded.

It is my understanding there was no ongoing CFTC investigation that precipitated the events of this week at PFG.  This is extremely troubling given that, according to press reports, there have been red flags for some time.  For example, it has been reported there were indications PFG was short of funds and/or had accounting irregularities as far back as February 2010.  It is critical for Congress to know what the CFTC did to look into these red flags.

Farmers and investors trust commodities brokers to safeguard their accounts and trust the CFTC to police the commodities market.  With the failure of MF Global and now PFG, the CFTC must be open and transparent with Congress and the American people to prevent the continued erosion of customer confidence in the integrity of the commodities markets.

As Congress examines the CFTC's actions regarding PFG, please provide the following information to help us with our investigation - What steps did the CFTC take to oversee PFG from the beginning of 2010 to the present?  When answering this question, please include all information related to previous violations of PFG, suspicious activity by PFG, and what steps, if any, the CFTC took to respond to these red flags.

I look forward to receiving your response in a timely manner.  If you have any questions, please contact me or my staff.

Sincerely,



Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator

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12 Jul 2012

Loebsack Applauds Inclusion of Amendment to Stop FSA Office Closings

By Joe Hand

Language included in House Farm Bill

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the inclusion of an amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the workload of Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and solicit public comment before closures could occur.  Loebsack has been fighting to stop the consolidation of FSA offices, including those in Centerville, Creston and Leon.  The amendment is based on legislation introduced by Rep. Leonard Boswell and championed by Loebsack.

"I have been fighting side by side with Iowans in the affected areas to reverse the USDA's decision since it was first announced in February.  The consolidation of services provided by the FSA offices would cause great harm not only to individual farmers, but the rural economy as well.  I am pleased the House Agriculture Committee included this amendment and will continue to work to ensure the offices remain open."

Since the policy was announced earlier this year, Loebsack called on the USDA to re-evaluate this proposal.  He has also written to the House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees to urge them to include funding for the offices in the FY 2013 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  He also cosponsored two pieces of legislation to address these issues, H.R. 4313, the Farm Service Accountability Act (the basis of the amendment) and H.R. 4330, which prohibits the closing of a USDA office unless there is another office within 20 miles.

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11 Jul 2012

House Farm Bill Needs Much Work

By Elisha Smith

By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

The House Agriculture Committee's draft farm bill is deeply disappointing.

It would make federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums the primary farm program, but impose no payment caps, no income limits for recipients and no conservation requirements. Mega farms would get unlimited subsidies to bid land away from small, mid-size and beginning farmers.

For traditional farm programs, the draft would increase the commodity payment limit by 250 percent above generous Senate-passed levels. Unlike the Senate bill, however, it would leave current loopholes that invite widespread farm program abuse wide open. It would also reduce acreage enrollment for the Conservation Stewardship Program by a staggering 30 percent at a time when record numbers of farmers are enrolling acres into the program.

But that's not all, this farm bill would remove restrictions on subsidies intended to protect native grasslands everywhere except one small region of the Northern Great Plains. It would slash investment in programs for beginning farmers and ranchers by half. It would cut investment in proven job-creating rural development initiatives by 88 percent.

The House's draft farm bill fails to deliver for family farmers and ranchers, rural communities and the natural environment. The Committee should address these deficiencies when they take up the bill this week and, failing that, all members of Congress should prepare to debate these crucial issues on the House floor if there is any hope that this farm bill will reflect rural America's values and invest in a better future for our rural communities and the people that live there.

09 Jul 2012

Great Lakes Hybrids and Farm Progress Show team up for the 2nd Annual Shootout

By FarmProgress.com

Two evenings of exciting tractor pull competition will be presented Aug. 28 and 29, following the first two days of the 2012 Farm Progress Show. The pull event is the 2nd Annual Shootout, sponsored by Great Lakes Hybrids and Farm Progress Show, and is part of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Midwest Region competition.

BOONE, IOWA, (07/10/2012) - The 2nd Annual Shootout tractor pull, sponsored by Great Lakes Hybrids and Farm Progress Show, in the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Midwest Region competition, will be held at the Boone County Fairgrounds, Boone, Iowa, on Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 6:00 p.m.

The Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 28 to 30 at the Central Iowa Expo site in Boone, Iowa. The Shootout is a separate event and an admission ticket is needed for each.

Top Midwest lineup
The Shootout is on the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Champions Tour. Ground-pounding Pro Stock Tractors and high-flying Light Super Stocks will compete side by side with the Pro Pulling Leagues Midwest Region Limited Pro Stock and Pro Farm Tractors. The schedule is certain to fill the night with excitement and provide a great opportunity for attendees to show their true colors in support of their favorite brand.

Pull started at 2011 show
Attendees at last year's Farm Progress Show held in Decatur, Ill. had the opportunity to add a new evening activity to their show experience when the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Midwest Region contested the first ever Great Lakes Hybrids Farm Progress Show Shootout.

The exceptional success of the first edition of the event encouraged Great Lakes Hybrids, the Farm Progress Show and Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League to team up for this year's pull to be held in Boone, Iowa.

"With the success of last year's show, we were impressed with the attendance and the quality of the equipment we had in attendance. Great Lakes Hybrids is excited for the 2012 pull and is so thrilled to have a chance to grow with the Farm Progress Show," said Doug Little of Great Lakes Hybrids.

The 2011 show was a dandy for the fans and attendees of the Farm Progress Show as some of the nation's greatest competitors in the Limited Pro Stock Tractors, Super Modified Two Wheel Trucks, and Pro Stock Tractors classes came out in droves to make the pull one of the highest attended over the entire summer.

Farm Progress Show and pull timing
"We are excited to help foster this new activity in relation to the Farm Progress Show. The 2011 pull was a great one for everyone who was able to attend, and we can't wait for this year's event," said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager. "The excitement that the organizers carry with them has spread into the community, as the competitors are expected to flock to Iowa for a chance to claim top honors."

As the 2012 show and Shootout draw near and final preparations are being put in place for the upcoming events, the organizations involved couldn't be more thrilled about showcasing pulling for the fans of the Farm Progress Show.

Don't miss this year's events
Mark your calendar for the 59th annual Farm Progress Show and, after you learn about the latest in ag technology, make your way to the fairgrounds for the 2nd Annual Great Lakes Hybrids Farm Progress Show Shootout. Full ticket information and additional details about the pull are available online at www.WhatsSmokin.net or www.FarmProgressShow.com. The public is welcome at both events.

The 2012 Farm Progress Show takes place in Boone, Iowa, Aug. 28, 29 and 30. The exhibit field is open to visitors 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for ages 13-17, and ages 12 and under are free. Discounted advance adult admission tickets are available now on the show's website. For a full schedule of events and more detailed information, visit www.FarmProgressShow.com. The 2nd Annual Shootout tractor pull is a separate event and a separate admission ticket is needed.

There's a handy Farm Progress Show app for iPhones and Android mobile phones, available in the respective devices' app markets.

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09 Jul 2012

CLINTON COUNTY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF EXTENSION

By Bob Owen

Join Clinton County Extension and Outreach as they celebrate their 100th anniversary during the county fair, July 19 to 22 in DeWitt.

During the Clinton County Fair, on Wednesday, July 18th at 9:30 there will be a ceremony at the Outdoor Living Classroom, dedicating the "100 Year Tree".  There is also a "100" flower bed created and maintained by the Master Gardeners at the OLC.

On Thursday, July 19th, Cathann Kress, ISU Vice President of Extension and Outreach, will speak at 5:00 in the Beef Arena, prior to the Fair Queen contest.  At this time past Extension Council members, 4-H leaders and alumni, Master Gardeners and other Extension supporters will be recognized.

The Extension Council will have an informational booth in the Commercial Exhibit Building during the fair. Extension Specialists will be on hand to visit and answer questions at various times during the Fair.   For more information, please visit the Clinton County web site at:  www.extension.iastate.edu/clinton

Clinton County was the first county in Iowa to formally hire an Extension Agent.  On July 6, 1912, a contract was signed by M. L. Mosher of Ames.  He started work on September 1, 1912.

In the early years Extension has been affiliated with the Clinton Commercial Club and the Clinton County Farm Improvement Association, later known as Farm Bureau.  This changed in 1955, when the newly established Agricultural Extension Law transferred the responsibility of conducting the Extension Program from the County Farm Bureau to the County Extension Council.

Today, Extension works in cooperation with local County Extension Councils, Iowa State University and USDA.   Extension provides research-based information and education to help people make better decisions in their personal, community and professional lives.  ISU Extension and Outreach is committed to healthy people, healthy environments and health economics.   More information can be found at www.extension.iastate.edu/clinton.

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09 Jul 2012

Draft farm bill/House Agriculture Committee

By Grassley Press
Friday, July 6, 2012

Senator Chuck Grassley made the comment below about the approach to commodity program payment limits in the draft farm bill of the House Agriculture Committee.  The committee is expected to mark up a proposal next week.

The Senate-passed farm bill included provisions authored by Grassley's to limit payments, including a $50,000 cap on the Agricultural Risk Coverage program, the closing of loopholes exploited by non-farmers, and a $75,000 cap on marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments.

Senator Grassley's comment:

"I'm encouraged the House Agriculture Committee appears to be moving closer to a mark-up of its version of the farm bill.  But it's disappointing to see the approach the committee's draft bill takes on payment limitations.  We've heard it from the grassroots - commodity programs need sensible caps to prevent the subsidization of big farms getting even bigger.  There's nothing wrong with having a big farming operation, but those operations shouldn't be subsidized by taxpayers just so they can get even bigger.  In addition, we need to make sure farm payments go to actual farmers.  Not only did the Senate Agriculture Committee listen to those voices from the grassroots, but so did the full Senate when it passed a bill that included defensible and effective reforms on the farm program payment limitations.

"The House Agriculture Committee's draft doesn't even stick with the status quo for payment limits.  It would actually increase the payment limits from the current law.  Currently, direct payments have a limit of $40,000 per farmer, and the counter-cyclical program has a limit of $65,000.  The House draft bill would have a farmer choose between a counter-cyclical program and a revenue program and would increase the farmer's cap to $125,000 no matter what program is chosen.  Furthermore, this draft bill would not place any cap on the amount of benefits any one farmer could receive from the marketing loan program, leaving it completely uncapped.  This is simply an indefensible approach for farm programs and will lead to a continuation of the largest 10 percent of farms receiving 70 percent of the farm program payments.

"The other glaring omission in the House's draft bill is it doesn't address any of the loopholes currently being used by non-farmers to exploit the farm program.  With tight budgets and a growing federal deficit, taxpayers aren't going to stand by and accept non-farmers profiting from a program designed to be a safety-net for farmers.

"The House Agriculture Committee should take a serious look at the common sense and meaningful payment limit reforms the Senate adopted in its farm bill and adopt the same approach."

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