The Senate Finance Committee has moved forward legislation seen as important to agriculture and other small businesses. Farm Bureau is praising committee passage of the measure to extend important tax provisions through 2016. The legislation includes two provisions that let small businesses deduct major capital expenditures over just a few years, rather than the full life of the equipment they …
Stallman to Retire as AFBF President
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman announced today that he will not seek re-election in January 2016. Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Texas, has served 16 years as the organization’s 11th president. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve the nation’s Farm Bureau members and represent agriculture and rural America,” Stallman said. “After 16 years as …
Summer is Great Time for Farm Pics
Don’t forget! AFBF is reminding you of the opportunity to take summer photographs in preparation for the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest. Any Farm Bureau member 18 years and older at the time of entry is eligible to submit pics, including state/county staff and professional photographers. “Now is a great time to get pictures of farmers and ranchers working safely during harvest, …
Farm Bureau Joins Group’s Lawsuit to Ditch ‘WOTUS’
The American Farm Bureau Federation is part of a coalition of 14 agricultural and industry groups, including the National Pork Producers Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, that have filed a lawsuit to vacate the controversial new rule redefining the scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. This news release from the group says the rule, known …
‘Shark Tank’ Investor to Address AFBF Annual Convention
Farmers certainly know a lot about investing their money… and if the rain doesn’t stop in the Midwest, they might be swimming with the sharks, figuratively and literally! Seems only appropriate that the American Farm Bureau Federation will have “Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran give the keynote address at the group’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in Orlando, …
July 4th Cookout is Less Than $6 Per Person
The American Farm Bureau reports that all your favorite cookout foods will cost you less than $6.00 per person. If you like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, bakes beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, you’re in luck. The cost of of $5.58 is actually a 3-percent decrease from prices a year ago. “Based on our survey, food prices …
TPA Signed With Eye Toward New Agreements
President Obama signed two trade bills passed by Congress on Monday, one authorizing Trade Promotion Authority and one renewing Trade Adjustment Assistance. The president pointed out that while the bills will help negotiations move forward on trade agreements such as the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), they are not the actual agreements. “We still …
Fast Track Makes it to the Finish Line
After lots of drama and much political posturing, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) finally cleared the final hurdle before being sent to the president’s desk, passing the U.S. Senate Wednesday by a vote of 60-38. “The Senate’s bipartisan passage of Trade Promotion Authority today sends a strong signal to foreign governments that we mean business at the bargaining table and are …
Fast Track Back on Track
The U.S. House passed Trade Promotion Authority Thursday by a vote of 218-208 getting fast track back on track and most agricultural organizations are very pleased. “The House’s bipartisan passage of trade promotion authority legislation brings us a step closer to completing ambitious trade negotiations around the world,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman. “We must break down …
RIP Former AFBF President Dean Kleckner
Just received word from Iowa Farm Bureau that former American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Dean Kleckner, 82, passed away June 15 at his home in Minnesota with his wife of 62 years, Natalie, and family members by his side. Kleckner was best known for his decades-long leadership within the Farm Bureau on the local, state and national level beginning …