Preview day for the second AG CONNECT Expo is underway here in Atlanta and it’s obvious the newest U.S. ag show is going to be much bigger this year. There are already more media folks here than last year in Orlando. In fact, Julie Harker with Brownfield Network commented that last year it was just her and Chuck here! I …
Obama Signs Bill Giving Death Tax Relief
President Obama held a public signing ceremony for the tax bill passed by Congress this week that delivers early Christmas presents for everyone, giving farmers and ranchers good reason to be thankful this holiday season. Securing meaningful estate tax reform for farm and ranch families has been a top priority for the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We commend President Obama …
Senate Passes Tax Package With Death Tax Relief
By a vote of 81 to 19, the Senate has passed the $858 billion tax compromise worked out between President Obama and Senate Republicans that includes a key provision keeping the estate tax at levels acceptable to agricultural interests. The measure reduces the top rate of the estate tax, more appropriately known as the “death tax,” to 35 percent, increases …
Farm Bureau Celebrates 50 Years of Membership Growth
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has more members than ever before. According to new AFBF membership figures, there are now 6,279,813 member families that belong to the nation’s largest general farm organization, marking 50 consecutive years of membership growth. State Farm Bureaus overall reported a total 2,149 more member families this year than in 2009. American Farm Bureau President …
Farm Bureau: Republicans Not Bad for Agriculture
While some are worried that the new fiscal hawks who were elected as the Republicans swept control of the U.S. House will be bad for agricultural interests in this country, the American Farm Bureau Federation says the shift to the right doesn’t necessarily mean the wrong path for farm policies. “I know there’s people in the press who have said, …
Stabenow New Senate Ag Chair
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has been chosen to be the new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, replacing Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas who was defeated in her re-election bid. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as we begin writing a new farm bill that once again recognizes the importance of …
The Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings increased about 1.3 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 25th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is …
AFBF Annual Convention Agenda Shapes Up
Topics ranging from environmental policy and food safety to the 2012 farm bill and use of social media by farmers and ranchers highlight a slate of conferences during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 92nd annual meeting, Jan. 9-12 in Atlanta, Ga. “Successful farming and ranching in the 21st century involves managing a vast amount of knowledge and information on a …
Limited E15 Waiver Approval Fosters Mixed Emotions
The agriculture and ethanol industries responded favorably to the EPA’s decision to approve the voluntary use of E15 in cars manufactured in 2007 or later. The increase in ethanol blended into gasoline fuels could help the ethanol industry have a home for another 4-5 billion gallons per year. Last year, Growth Energy filed the E15 Waiver and after several delays, …
Reaction to USDA Crop Forecast
Both corn and soybean production for this year were cut in this month’s crop report out this morning from USDA. Corn production is forecast at 12.7 billion bushels, down 4 percent from the September forecast and down 3 percent from last year’s record production of 13.1 billion bushels. Soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.41 billion bushels, down …