The top Republican on the House Ag Committee calls for a hearing on the Senate Growing Climate Solutions Act. In a letter to Chairman David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, Glen GT Thompson of Pennsylvania says, “I write to express concerns with this legislation and request further review by the House Committee on Agriculture.” Thompson has maintained concerns of government involvement …
Animal Ag Organizations Launch Protein PACT
U.S. animal agriculture groups Monday announced the Protein PACT. The coalition is the first joint initiative designed to accelerate momentum and verify progress toward global sustainable development goals across the animal protein sector. The Protein PACT was submitted to the UN Food Systems Summit as a sustainability game changer, and sustainable livestock and poultry production will be featured in a …
Senator Boozman: Working Really Hard to Help Farmers
By Clint Thompson It is never too early start thinking about the next Farm Bill. It was on the mind of peanut producers during this past weekend’s Southern Peanut Growers Conference. It was also discussed by U.S. Senator John Boozman R-Ark., who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. “We’re working really hard to …
Navigable Waters Protection Rule Challenge Dismissed
Back in May, various environmental groups asked a federal court to vacate the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) enacted during the Trump Administration. The motion, filed in a South Carolina U.S. District Court, asked the court to vacate the rule based on what they call undisputed facts, including what they say has been lost protection for U.S. waters. But last …
Clarifying the Product of the USA Label
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of the USA” label, which will inform a forthcoming rulemaking on this topic. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said “American consumers depend upon accurate, transparent labels to obtain important information about the food they consume. American farmers and ranchers depend upon those same labels to convey information about …
Gillibrand Planning Dairy Subcommittee Hearing on Pricing
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this week says she is moving forward with a dairy pricing hearing. The New York Democrat announced permission was granted for a hearing in the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee she chairs on Dairy, Livestock, Poultry, Local Food Systems, Food Safety and Security. Although a Senate calendar date is not yet confirmed, the hearing is supposed to occur …
Revitalizing the Packers and Stockyards Act
On Friday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will soon propose rulemaking designed to improve fairness and transparency within the Packers and Stockyards Act. Rod Bain has the story. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discusses the proposed rulemaking, such as specific practices with chicken processors and clarifying the definition of an unfair practice.
Alabama Rep. Barry Moore on Pandemic and Estate Taxes
The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of our lives, including how certain things are looked at now in rural areas. Alabama Rep. Barry Moore (AL-2), a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, believes the pandemic revealed a significant need in rural America. Rep. Moore also addresses estate tax concerns that many in agriculture have right now.
Florida Rep. Kat Cammack New to House Ag Committee
One person serving on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee may be new to most people, but she’s really not new to what the job entails. Florida Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) explains how she is very familiar with the position. And Rep. Cammack discusses how diverse agriculture is in Florida.
Senators Weigh in on Cattle Market Concentration
More capacity, not more regulation may be the direction ag lawmakers take in dealing with cattle market concentration and wildly divergent cattle and beef prices. Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow says dramatic differences of opinion were expected during the recent hearing on the cause of high beef prices for major packers and low prices to small producers. But is …