A coalition of about a dozen agriculture groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Farmers Union, and the National Milk Producers Federation has urged Senate leaders to “refrain from supporting” any legislation resembling the House-passed disaster bill should it come up in the …
Farm Bill Now Coalition at FPS
As the Farm Progress Show kicked off in Boone, Iowa, representatives from several of the more than 45 organizations that make up the Farm Bill Now coalition spoke out to urge Congress to finish work on new agricultural policy legislation as soon as possible. “Agriculture is one of the few bright spots in the American economy,” said National Corn Growers …
Pray for Farmers and Ranchers Hit by Drought
The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking everyone today to remember the many individuals and families facing severe struggles due to this year’s devastating drought. According to AFBF President Bob Stallman, suggestions for a National Day of Prayer for Drought Victims have come from a number of people throughout farm country as a way to support people facing challenges related …
Farm Bill Now Coalition Calls for Action by Congress
A coalition of 39 farm groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, is calling on Congress to pass a new farm bill before the old one expires at the end of September. The group, Farm Bill Now, has an interactive web portal at www.FarmBillNow.com, that lets you connect with …
AFBF Reacts to Corn & Soybean Outlook
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economists says today’s USDA crop forecast is a “harbinger of volatility in global grain markets.” “There is an old saying in commodity markets that small crops tend to get smaller,” said AFBF economist Todd Davis. “If this holds true, then future reports will show declining projected production for corn and soybeans and further reductions in …
U.S. House Enters Can Kicking Event
I have to give Kentucky farm broadcaster Jeff Nalley the credit for this one – If “can kicking” were an Olympic sport, we’d have a “gold medal Congress”. The leadership of the U.S. House has apparently decided to kick the farm bill can down the road and not to move forward with a vote on five-year farm legislation before the …
FARRM Bill Amendments: What Made the Cut
More was proposed than adopted, but in the end, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, better known as the FARRM bill, moved out of the House Agriculture committee with 43 amendments (see a complete list of what was approved, defeated, withdrawn and tabled here from our friends at Agri-Pulse.com). One of the more significant amendments that passed kills …
Committee, Ag Leaders React to FARRM Bill
As Cindy already noted, it took nearly 15 hours, but members of the House Agriculture Committee were able to pass their version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) Bill. Committee Chair Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) praised the bipartisan legislation: “This is a balanced, reform-minded, fiscally responsible bill that underscores …
Farm Groups React to Obamacare Ruling
In a split 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Two major farm groups were also split in their evaluation of the decision, with the American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union both issuing statements yesterday. Here’s what Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation had to say: “Farmers, …
Winners and Losers in the Senate Farm Bill
Most groups are saying very nice things about passage of the Senate Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 and especially the quick work done by the Senate on the legislation. “The bipartisan farm bill approved today by the Senate (S.3240) provides farmers improved risk management tools consistent with Farm Bureau’s core principles,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president …