U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted a roundtable meeting about youth in agriculture at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) on Dec. 8 in Tallahassee. Those involved in the discussion included FAMU President Larry Robinson, Florida Congressman Al Lawson, FAMU students, Florida FFA state officers and members of Florida 4-H. Perdue began the meeting by asking the participants what …
Newhouse Remains Confident Farm Bill Will Pass on Time
There’s been speculation by some in different ag circles that the new Farm Bill will not pass on-time. Some have speculated it won’t pass until 2019. Representative Dan Newhouse of Washington State recently acknowledged he’s heard those rumors, but cannot substantiate them. In addition, he says he doesn’t believe they are true. The Central Washington republican says House Agriculture Committee …
Tax Reform, Crop Yields, Commodity Prices
There’s lots of talk about tax reform, crop yields, and commodity prices these days, but little about a 2018 farm bill. And it now appears formal writing of a new farm bill may have to wait ‘til next year. Earlier in the year, there was lots of talk about a new farm bill. That was August. Two months later, Democrat Debbie …
Oregon Representative Releases Alternative Farm Bill
Oregon Democrat Representative Michael Blumenauer released an “alternative Farm Bill” during a press conference. The news conference was held with Michael Pollan, an author of books criticizing the current U.S. food system. The Hagstrom Report says Bluemenauer has long been advocating for fruits and vegetables, as well as organic and local foods, in previous farm bill debates. His version of …
Dairy Producers Look for Solutions in 2018 Farm Bill
2018 promises to be a big year for the dairy industry. An important part of the conversation will be managing volatility and how to improve current price support programs. Like all of agriculture, the dairy industry is eagerly awaiting the launch of a new Farm Bill in January 2019. Policies to improve the current economic climate for the nation’s milk …
Analyst Predicts Farm Bill Delay
An Ohio-based economist and consultant told Pacific Northwest farmers last week Congress will most likely pass an extension of the 2014 Farm Bill, and delay the next farm bill until 2019. Matt Roberts told the Tri-State Grain Growers from Washington, Oregon and Idaho, that he predicts there will be an extension in 2018 and that the real bill will come …
National Milk Producers Federation Talks Issues at Annual Meeting
The dairy industry gathered recently in California at the 101st Annual Meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation in Anaheim. For the last 20 years, the meeting has been held in conjunction with the National Dairy Checkoff. Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation says there are many topics on the table for the dairy industry. In regard to …
Farm Bill Near Ready Status
A lobbyist close to the farm bill effort told the Hagstrom Report this week that the House Agriculture Committee staff is close to being done preparing the bill for consideration. However, the lobbyist says Chairman Mike Conaway will likely keep the bill “under lock and key” until House leadership guarantees floor time for the legislation. That points to the bill …
Farm Bureau Supports Proposed Safety Net Fix
Legislation introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Joni Ernst would make changes to the Agricultural Risk Coverage program. American Farm Bureau Federation and other farm groups penned a letter to the Senators this week expressing support for the bill. AFBF congressional relations director Mary Kay Thatcher says the bill would change the program to better serve farmer’s needs. The bill …
Peterson Says Writing Farm Bill Will be a Challenge
The House Agriculture Committee held seven Farm Bill listening sessions this year with the goal of hearing what farmers and commodity groups are looking for in the next Farm Bill. Ranking member Collin Peterson says they heard from people in a lot of different ag sectors. Cotton and dairy groups are looking for some extra help from the new Farm …