To watch the celebration live, please visit www.usda.gov/live. For more information on the 150th anniversary celebration, please visit www.usda.gov/usda150. Additional information on USDA’s work to strengthen the American economy can be found at www.usda.gov/results.

Please thank Mary for her service at NCBA and join me in congratulating her as she begins an exciting new career. Her last day at NCBA will be May 25.

So, if you think you can fill Mary’s shoes at NCBA here’s where you can get more information.

I talked with Anne after the session who says she really liked the opportunity to interact with leaders in the livestock industry. She started her comments addressing the action of the Senate Ag Committee last week on the farm bill. She says she also raised some issues for attendees to get proactive communicating to their local legislators. She says there’s a long road ahead for the farm bill. She says the bill will be written under very challenging conditions. It’s time to make sure priorities are known and to talk with legislators not on an ag committee.

You can hear my interview with Anne here: Interview with Anne Hazlett

2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit Photo Album

Thanks to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and United Soybean Board for their sponsorship of our coverage of this year’s Summit.

“I just want to thank the National Cattlemen for their involvement in bringing the issue to the attention of the American people in the national media,” Cong. Rehberg said in a telephone press conference today with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president J.D. Alexander of Nebraska. “I want to thank the Obama Administration for withdrawing this regulation because it didn’t make sense.”

However, the congressman quoted Ronald Reagan – “trust but verify” – and said he will be working to ensure the regulation is not brought back by some other means. “I have every intention as chairman of the Department of Labor’s budget to have a rider in my legislation that says no money will be spent on the implementation, promulgation or enforcement of (this regulation), just to make sure,” he said.

Listen to the press conference with Cong. Rehberg and J.D. here: NCBA Youth Labor Reg Call

“The Obama administration is firmly committed to promoting family farmers and respecting the rural way of life, especially the role that parents and other family members play in passing those traditions down through the generations,” said the department in a press release. “Instead, the Departments of Labor and Agriculture will work with rural stakeholders — such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union, the Future Farmers of America, and 4-H — to develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.”

“This victory for farm families is due to the thousands of farmers and ranchers who sent comments to the Labor Department opposing the rules and continued to voice their concerns with members of Congress,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “This announcement shows the strength of American agriculture and grassroots action.”

The Labor Department said it received “thousands of comments” against the proposal rule regarding youth in agriculture. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President J.D. Alexander commended the administration’s action and said farmers and ranchers made their voices heard. “This ridiculous rule would have prevented the next generation of farmers and ranchers from acquiring skills and passion for this very noble profession. It also would have restricted urban kids from working on farms and acquiring a solid worth ethic and enthusiasm for this very diverse industry,” said Alexander. “We absolutely have to have a sensible regulatory environment in Washington, D.C. We should not have to worry about negligent rules being promulgated by out-of-touch regulatory agencies. We encourage the administration to venture off the city sidewalks and learn more about where their food comes from.”

The Labor Department made it clear that the “regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration.”

As the Senate Ag Committee released a draft proposal on Friday, several agricultural organizations sent a letter to the leadership thanking them, while at the same time expressing a few concerns.

Co-signed by eight organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Corn Growers Association, the letter commended the committee for adhering to its original proposal of $23 billion in deficit reduction, and for not proposing to restructure the federal crop insurance program or to reduce its funding for deficit reduction purposes.

“Even with the clear and real need to reduce our federal deficit, it remains in the best interest of our nation to help ensure a basic level of risk management for farmers and our food supply,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “Farming is a risky business. There is no doubt about that, and crop insurance is a key principle in the goal to provide farmers a dependable safety net.”

In response to concerns from other commodity groups about a revenue-based approach, the groups advocate making changes in the crop insurance program to enhance its viability as a risk management tool, while maintaining the effectiveness of the existing program for other commodities. The groups do not, however, support program alternatives that tie current-year production to fixed price supports, which can distort planting decisions and production between commodities when market prices decline.

“NCGA strongly believes a farmer should be able to absorb a price or yield loss in any given year,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill. “However, we are trying to protect farmers, especially young farmers, when they are facing these types of losses multiple years in a row.”

In addition to crop insurance, the groups are calling for planting flexibility for farmers as well as a new program to complement the risk protection provided under crop insurance and the continuation of the marketing loan program, urging the Committee to oppose any changes in current law regarding payment limitations or eligibility for farm programs based on Adjusted Gross Income. “Currently, 98 percent of U.S. producers participate in the farm program and comply with their conservation requirements,” stated the groups in the letter. “It is important that farmers remain in the program so that our country can maintain conservation compliance on agricultural lands.”

Read the letter here.

AFBF presented Rep. Goodlatte with the “Golden Plow” award last week for his long-standing support of America’s farmers and ranchers. The award was presented by AFBF President Bob Stallman and Virginia Farm Bureau President Wayne Pryor during an event in Harrisonburg, Va.

Stallman noted that Congressman Goodlatte “has set a solid example of the courage required to rein in government spending” and “is a vigorous defender of private property rights, both real and intellectual, and he continues to lead the fight against regulatory overreach.”

According to Stallman, since Goodlatte was first elected in 1992 to represent Virginia’s 6th Congressional District, he has “applied his common sense, expertise and determination to finding solutions to the challenges facing American agriculture.”

Since coming to Congress, Goodlatte has served on the House Agriculture Committee and also serves on the Judiciary and Education & Workforce committees—assignments where he has worked on a number of issues facing farmers and ranchers. The Virginia Farm Bureau nominated Goodlatte for the award.

“The impact of this decision should not be understated,” said Jim Gray, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. “EPA’s comprehensive review of one of the most extensive scientific data bases of a pesticide confirmed the Agency’s previous finding that the 2,4-D tolerances are acceptable.”

In the decision, EPA noted that based on “studies addressing endocrine effects on wildlife species and the adequacy of personal protective equipment for workers, the Agency concluded that the science behind our current ecological and worker risk assessments for 2,4-D is sound and there is no basis to change the registrations.”

“This has been one of the most widely used and successful herbicides in history and growers along with other users around the U.S. and the world can continue to use it with confidence”, added Gray. “EPA’s most recent decision is consistent with findings of other authorities such as the World Health Organization, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the European Commission.”

The US EPA conducted a thorough evaluation of all of the available information, including GLP studies, peer-reviewed studies, as well as the anecdotal information submitted by the pressure groups. This determination follows the 2005 Re-registration Eligibility Decision which encompassed 17 years of scientific evaluation.

As EPA correctly notes, “2,4-D is a phenoxy herbicide and plant growth regulator that has been used in the U.S. since the 1940s. It is currently found in approximately 600 products registered for agricultural, residential, industrial, and aquatic uses.” The original patent for 2,4-D was actually issued in 1945 and today it is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world for a variety of crops including wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, potatoes, sugar cane, pome fruits, stone fruits and nuts. In addition, 2,4-D controls invasive species in pastures, aquatic areas and federally protected areas and broadleaf weeds in turf grass.

Give EPA some brownie points for this decision!

In January, USDA launched www.USDA.gov/energy to serve as a one-stop shop for data and information about energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. This site allows individuals to learn more about USDA’s programs and see how their community can get involved in an expanding renewable energy and bio-based economy that is creating jobs and driving economic growth across rural America. To learn more about USDA’s accomplishments in renewable energy, read the results document HERE.

Remember to tune in online by following @USDA and using #askUSDA and #energy.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad minced no words last week when he called the media reports about a perfectly safe product “poisonous” – and today he called for a congressional investigation into the “smear campaign” against Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB) – the correct term for the product that has been included to lower the fat content in ground beef for over 30 years. It is the epitome of yellow journalism, which is characterized by the use of “misleading headlines, pseudo-science, and a parade of false learning from so-called experts.”

Branstad and other governors of beef-producing states, as well as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilack, are making a valiant effort to get the correct information out about the product. “The time for bad-mouthing and distortion is over, the time for the truth to prevail and combat this ugly situation is here,” said Governor Branstad. “This is something that will definitely hurt all of agriculture because corn and soybeans also go into what the cattle eat. So it has a ripple effect.”

Despite the fact that the governors led major national news organizations on a tour of BPI to show how the product was made and consume some on camera, the damage that the term “pink slime” has done may already be out of control. “If you called it finely textured lean beef, would we be here?” asked Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback during the media tour.

It is almost amazing how many legs this story grew after the initial report coining the term “pink slime” was aired by ABC News on March 7. We can all thank a former USDA “whistle-blower” and ABC News for job losses, higher meat costs, and less lean ground beef to contribute to more obesity – not to mention a gross new term for our vocabulary. Certainly not the first time and probably not the last that agriculture gets slimed by the media.

Get the LFTB facts at beefisbeef.com.

Chuck and other GROWMARK representatives participated in the Ag Day event Wednesday at the Illinois state capitol to talk with legislators about some of those priorities. “Obviously everyone in Illinois is very concerned about budget, the cost of operations, consistency of policies, predictability of regulation in our business climate,” Chuck says. “We are seeing agriculture in the very fortunate position of being able to grow in this economy. We want to continue to do so.”

Chuck says a specific priority on the state level is the “Keep it for the Crop” (KIC) by 2025 campaign, a legislative initiative that has passed the Illinois House and is moving through the Senate. “What is important about that is that it’s going to provide additional research dollars for stewardship programs,” in watersheds, nutrient movement, and maximizing efficiency, productivity and profitability.

National priorities include the farm bill, of course, but also issues related to pesticide application permitting (HR872), transportation (limited exemption for hours of service for agriculture) and renewal of the Pesticide Registration and Improvement Act.

Listen to my interview with Chuck Spencer here: GROWMARK's Chuck Spencer

Post Update: In case you missed the press conference you can listen to it here. I edited out the blips in the live stream feed. Total length is about 14.5 minutes.

Here are some notes from the press conference: Both Gov. Branstad and Sec. Vilsack strongly affirmed the safety of lean finely textured beef. Sec. Vilsack said,”Let me reiterate what we have said literally hundreds of times. This product is safe. No question about it.” He compared the inaccurate term “pink slime” to calling H1N1 “swine flu.” Branstad said their responsibility is to “correct smear campaign” re: lean finely textured beef with correct information. He said that Midwest governors will be taking media on tour of meat plants tomorrow where they will eat some LFTB! He called media coverage of this story “poisonous.” Sec. Vilsack applauds efforts like the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance to communicate better information about food production to consuming public. Gov. Branstad said he talked with representatives of Hy-Vee who have changed their decision not to carry LFTB products and will be giving their customers the choice to purchase the product.

“It’s not really a farm bill, it’s a food policy bill,” said Rep. Graves. “It’s about the safest, most abundant, most affordable food supply in the world. We can take our food supply for granted in the United States, which makes us a great country.”

Graves says, like everyone else in agriculture and small business, permanent estate tax relief is a priority for him in 2012. “Death shouldn’t be a taxable event,” he says. “We work very hard to maintain and build that farm and pass it on to our children. To say that the federal government is owed something just because someone has passed on and you have to sell have the farm or half the business is just wrong.”

Great stuff from Sam – and great job of NCBA’s Mary Geiger getting the interview and Mike Deering doing the report. Have a listen or download here or, better yet, go to Beltway Beef and get it!

Among those who testified was National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Pam Johnson. “NCGA has invested time and resources to develop and analyze concepts for a new farm bill that would help farmers in times of need and be a good investment of taxpayer dollars,” said Johnson, a grower from Floyd, Iowa. “We learned that risk management is the number one priority and that federal crop insurance is the cornerstone of a sound farm safety net for the future.”

Johnson says corn growers support a transition away from the direct payments to a revenue-based risk management tool that complements crop insurance, such as the Aggregate Risk and Revenue Management program proposed by Senators Brown, Thune, Lugar and Durbin last fall. “NCGA appreciates the difficult task before your committee to write a comprehensive and balanced farm bill, especially under the current budget constraints,” said Johnson. “But, we urge Congress to pass a farm bill this year. We look forward to working with the Senate Agriculture Committee and other agriculture organizations to craft new farm legislation.”

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman told the Senate panel that national farm policy must strike a balance between the need for a strong, effective safety net to protect farmers and ranchers against catastrophic revenue losses and fiscal soundness for the nation.

“Continuation of a multi-legged stool remains the best approach for providing a fair and effective safety net,” Stallman said. “This should consist of a strong crop insurance program, continuation of the current marketing loan provisions and a catastrophic revenue loss program.”

Stallman said AFBF supports a “deep loss” program that would “not provide producers with payments as often as other proposals contemplated, it would provide more coverage in times of catastrophic losses when assistance is most critical.”

In addition, “As a general farm organization, we place high priority on ensuring the new farm bill benefits all agricultural commodity sectors in a balanced, coordinated manner,” Stallman said. He urged coverage for five fruits and vegetables – apples, tomatoes, grapes, potatoes and sweet corn – in new national farm policy and he expressed Farm Bureau’s support for the concepts included in a bill introduced by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) that would reform and improve the dairy program.

The amendments include one by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) which will exempt drivers of farm vehicles from having to acquire a commercial driver’s license, and another by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) which will waive hours of service restrictions during harvest seasons.

These were among 2012 priority issues for the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCBA). “Farmers and ranchers are not professional truck drivers and shouldn’t be treated as such,” said NCBA Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus. “Hauling livestock to market two times a year is hardly the same as hauling goods across the country on a daily basis. Subjecting family farmers and ranchers to costly and requirements is an unnecessary burden we cannot afford.”

Meanwhile, amendments to the bill related to biodiesel and advanced ethanol tax incentives failed to make it in the final bill. An amendment offered by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and another by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) would have extended the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax incentive, which expired at the end of last year, through the end of this year. “We thank Sen. Stabenow and Sen. Roberts for including biodiesel in their amendments, and we urge Congress to break this partisan gridlock and find a way to enact policies like the biodiesel tax credit that have strong bipartisan support,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board.

The Senate bill now moves to the House for consideration.

WHEREAS agriculture provides jobs throughout the farm and food industry, including employment for farmers, farm workers, scientists, processors, shippers, and
retailers; and

2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

I think that we’ve had a weekly visit with the Secretary each week lately. We saw him in Orlando for the National Ethanol Conference and then again last week at Commodity Classic.

After his remarks Secretary Vilsack visited every table in the room. I think I’ve got at least one photo from every table during this time. If you’re looking for a photo, please look in the online photo album.

Listen to remarks from Secretary Vilsack here: Remarks from Secretary Vilsack

2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

The Congressman started off his remarks about his desire to do what he can to support National Ag Day. He thanked everyone who is working to communicate agriculture’s message to people in the city and he acknowledged how difficult it can be. He says that he and the other members of the House Ag Committee try their best to get non ag counterparts to understand farming, “People think that they know better than farmers how to do things. Most of them have no clue what they’re doing.” He also mentions how partisan politics has become but is proud that the ag committee has so far not stayed above the fray. I did like his comment that agriculture is the only part of the economy that is working.

Listen to remarks from Congressman Peterson here: Remarks from Congressman Collin Peterson

2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

I first asked her what she thought about the importance of the work that’s being done by groups like USFRA which held a Food Dialogues event prior to the reception. The Senator says “It is so important that we have farmers and ranchers that are coming in and sharing what they’re doing.” She says how agriculture touches our lives is very broad since it’s more than just food. It includes energy, jobs in agricultural manufacturing and bio-based manufacturing and the list goes on and on. She says “the reality is that agriculture is about our way of life.”

I also asked her what she thinks about a statement I heard last week about the the need to maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard being more important than the Farm Bill. She says, “They’re both important. We need both.”

Listen to my interview with Senator Stabenow here: Interview with Senator Debbie Stabenow

USFRA Dialogues and Agri-Pulse Reception Photos
2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

Senator Roberts says the idea of trying to get urban America better understand where their food comes from is “a mountain we’ve been trying to climb for years now.” He says you’ve got about 17 seconds to talk to them about agriculture policy before their eyes glaze over and 18 seconds if you talk farm bill. However, if you talk about hunger and feeding a hungry world you get their attention. Then you ask them who’s getting it done. So putting food production in the right context is critical.

I also asked him what he thinks about a statement I heard last week about the the need to maintain the Renewable Fuels Standard being more important that the Farm Bill. He’s not for mandates but says it’s important to create infrastructure and have some stability and certainty. After that is working then he favors letting the marketplace take over.

Listen to my interview with Senator Roberts here: Interview with Senator Pat Roberts

USFRA Dialogues and Agri-Pulse Reception Photos
2012 National Agriculture Day Activities Photo Album

Sara says the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Food Dialogues event held just prior to the reception was a good fit with what Agri-Pulse is doing and a great lead in to National Agriculture Day. She says they had a far ranging discussion covering a lot of current topics. We heard from Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Debbie Stabenow during the reception and I’ll have comments from them to post later. Sara says Agri-Pulse is growing well and her team is just enjoying what they do.

Listen to my interview with Sara here: Interview with Sara Wyant

USFRA Dialogues and Agri-Pulse Reception Photos

This application is maintained by the State of South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Find more SDGFP social media links here.

The KYF Compass is a digital guide to USDA resources related to local and regional food systems. The Compass consists of an interactive U.S. map showing local and regional food projects and an accompanying narrative documenting the results of this work through case studies, photos and video content.

Denny Hastert, who is an Illinois farm boy, says growing up on a farm taught him the responsibility and leadership that helped serve him well in public life. He spoke of how he became an “accidental Speaker” after Newt Gingrich retired in 1998, and then a “war-time Speaker” after 9/11. He is the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history.

I enjoyed getting the opportunity to interview the former speaker (appropriately with the gold microphone at the Gold Rush!) about his remarks, and about his thoughts on energy and farm policy. “I think you’ll see some of the subsidies that farmers have grown to rely on are going to be gone just because of the shortage in the budget,” Hastert said, noting that he has two farms himself. “What we need to do in the farm community is to make sure we keep those markets for our products that we have and can be independent of government subsidies.”

Listen to my interview with the Speaker of the House here: Dennis Hastert Interview

See photos from the FS Dieselex Gold Rush event

The 2012 Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future, your responsibility. For more information about NACS, the Census of Agriculture, or to add your name to the Census mail list, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

You can follow USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service on Twitter here.

The Senate Ag Committee held the first of four scheduled farm bill hearings this past week, focusing on energy and rural development issues. 

In the coming weeks there will be hearings on conservation programs Feb. 28 and nutrition issues on March 14; and most importantly, a hearing on Title I – the farm safety net programs – is scheduled for March 21.



As the Senate began to prepare for the hearings, over 80 agricultural organizations sent a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Ag Committees urging passage of a farm bill this year.

“The 2012 farm bill is among the most important pieces of legislation the U.S. Congress will consider this year,” the letter stated. “We ask you to reject calls for delay and aggressively act to ensure that a new, comprehensive farm bill is passed this year. Farmers need a safety net that works more effectively, and they need access to tools that help them be good stewards of our natural resources.”

The letter also stated that a temporary extension of current policy would create uncertainty without addressing important issues such as job creation hunger prevention resources.

Major commodity, social welfare and environmental organizations from the American Farm Bureau Federation to the World Wildlife Fund signed on to the letter, indicating the diverse interests in the legislation for agriculture, food assistance and conservation.

Dale says they have a very simple message, “Roll bars and seat belts work only if you put the roll bar up and you click the seat belt. It’s your choice. It’s life and death.” Scott says that ASABE has a major focus on safety as the standards setting organization. They have committees for specific safety components like lighting and marking. You can find information on farm safety from both of these organizations online.

Listen to my interview with Dale and Scott: Promoting Farm Safety Interview

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

FCC Chairman Genachowski said, “As our new map demonstrates, millions of Americans still live, work, and travel in areas where advanced mobile networks have not been built out. Through the FCC’s Connect America Fund, we’re helping complete our nation’s wired and wireless infrastructure, which will lead to job creation, economic growth, and innovation in the 21st century.”

Regarding international trade, a resolution was passed that codified NCBA support of a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that removes tariff and non-tariff trade barriers for U.S. beef to participating countries, which include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Another resolution that was passed encourages a more efficient payment system for fed cattle in light of the recent announcement by the U.S. Postal Service that first class mail delivery will slow in the future which could cause problems for the efficient delivery of payment for cattle.

Regarding herd health, the current management of bison on federal lands by the Department of Interior has raised concerns among cattle producers so NCBA members passed a resolution opposing the relocation of any bison outside the current Greater Yellowstone Area management area, the expansion of that area and any increase in the currently authorized bison population.

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

It was a challenge that the national FFA officer team for 2010-11 took seriously. The students immediately began work- framing key questions, consulting FFA members, engaging leaders in agriculture, compiling input and formulating recommendations.

Okay. On the surface it looks and sounds nice that the government wants to do something to encourage youth in agriculture. We certainly do! But . . . Here’s more from FFA. I’ve highlighted section that immediately drew my attention and comment below.

“Never before had we been invited to submit direct input to the Secretary of Agriculture that could enhance the ability of agricultural education and FFA to help students succeed and strengthen American agriculture,” said Riley Pagett, national FFA President, 2010-11. “We were honored to be invited to be a part of this process.”

Items that were recommended were as follows: USDA and other agencies should encourage and assist beginning farmers to start or continue in production agriculture; USDA should help transition farms from older related and non-related farmers to younger of beginner farmers who may not come from a farm; USDA should help keep young people in rural communities and make rural communities an even more important part of our nation’s economy and society; USDA should support efforts to increase the public’s knowledge of agricultural literacy; USDA should strengthen the capacity of agricultural education o produce more students that pursue production agriculture and other agriculturally related careers and the USDA should provide authority, responsibility and support for school-based agricultural education and FFA.

So, FFA student leaders, everything you mention here is all asking USDA to do something for you. As in “USDA should . . . ” Where’s the money for that going to come from? Are you sure you want more involvement fromt he government in your business or potential business? I think it’s great that the Secretary invited you in but I’d urge caution before you ask for too much, if anything. I think you’d be better off talking with agribusiness leadership about stand alone private practice programs to help you get established in farming or make transitions on your farm. These things are being done. I think most agribusiness companies would be quite willing to talk with you about that. Then maybe we wouldn’t need the government to “take care of us.” What do you think?