(AFBF) — Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2021. Key topics ranged from farm diversity to farm labor and dairy policy to livestock marketing. For the first time in AFBF history, delegates met and voted virtually due to COVID-19. “Our Farm Bureau delegates showed that …
Stabenow Urges USDA to Prioritize Protections for Food Workers
Senator Debbie Stabenow, the incoming Senate Agriculture Committee chair, urged the Department of Agriculture this week to implement the bipartisan worker protection provisions in the COVID-19 assistance package. The Michigan Democrat says, “In order to repair our food supply and feed families in need, USDA must prioritize safety in addition to food purchases.” In the recently passed COVID-19 assistance package, …
Meat Worker COVID-19 Cases Five Times Lower
A new analysis of independent data for 2020 shows that new COVID-19 infection rates amongst meat and poultry workers were five times lower in December than in May. Meanwhile, rates in the general population rocketed up nine times in the same period. According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network, the meat and poultry sector were reported to …
Farm Bureau Names 2021 Farm Dog of the Year
People’s Choice Pup also Announced (AFBF) — Recognizing that work on the family farm takes everyone pitching in and doing their part, including four-legged friends, Farm Bureau launched the Farm Dog of the Year contest three years ago. The winner of the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Bindi, an Australian shepherd owned by New York …
Farm Equipment Manufacturing Trends to Watch in 2021
Both the immediate and long-term future of the manufacturing industry will be defined by the development of several evolving and prominent trends. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, one such trend gaining traction is the inclination to buy equipment from a place like the Agrifarm in QLD, which is poised to have a significant impact in 2021. The organization …
AFBF President: Turn the Page on Partisanship
A top farm organization leader says it is time to “turn the page” on partisan politics. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall made the comments during an opening press conference as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation Virtual Annual Convention. Duvall’s remarks follow last week’s rally and attack on the U.S. capitol. Duvall says, “we have got to work together, …
Farm Bureau Looks to the Future of Ag at Virtual Convention
(AFBF) — The American Farm Bureau is hosting a full day of virtual programming, focused on the future of agriculture and the most pressing issues for farmers, ranchers and consumers in 2021. The 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention offers a full plate of programming, today, following the official kickoff Sunday with an opening address from AFBF President Zippy Duvall. …
USDA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities Amid Ongoing Pandemic
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15, 2021. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30, 2021. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting written agreement requests and …
AFBF Pres. Zippy Duvall 2021 Virtual Convention Opening Speech
(AFBF) — The following are remarks made by AFBF President Zippy Duvall during the Opening General Session of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention: Well, thank you, Scott for that great introduction. And, I want to say thank you for being the vice president of American Farm Bureau, and what a great partner you’ve been for me for the …
EPA Nominee Meets with Farm Groups
(NAFB) — President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency met with farm group leaders Tuesday. Michael Regan, the EPA Administrator-designate, hosted a virtual round table with more than 16 members of the Ag CEO Council and staff. The Biden transition team says Regan reiterated President-elect Joe Biden’s commitment to working with agricultural leaders to promote healthy and …