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 …
Still Lobbying for Estate Tax Elimination
The advancing House and Senate tax reform bills differ on estate tax elimination but are similar on expensing, pass-through income, and other provisions important for agriculture. The House bill expected on the floor this week has key differences with its Senate counterpart on corporate and personal taxes, including those of keen interest to agriculture. The House phases out the estate …
New Senate Hold on Ag Trade Nominee
Arizona Republican Jeff Flake has put a hold on the confirmation of Greg Doud, President Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. Trade Representative’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Politico says the hold involves concerns surrounding a controversial produce proposal that the United States has introduced into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Negotiations. The seasonal produce proposal is aimed at protecting …
Josie Tomkow Hopes to Replace Rep. Combee in Florida House
Rep. Neal Combee announced last week that he will be giving up his seat in the Florida House of Representatives after taking a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now, Polk City native Josie Tomkow is hoping to take over Combee’s seat as a State Representative for District 39. Tomkow is an active member of the Florida Farm Bureau …
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 …
Lawmaker Combee Named to Federal Farm Post
State Rep. Neil Combee, R-Auburndale, will leave the Legislature after he was appointed Friday as federal Farm Service Agency and Rural Development state director. It was not immediately clear when Combee will leave the House. “Would like to stay until the end of Session unless it is an absolute requirement. Know for sure in a few days,” Combee tweeted Sunday. …
Lawmakers Seek to Change Livestock Disaster Aid
Two bills introduced in Congress seek to make changes to livestock programs, specifically changing the way help to ranchers is administered during a disaster. The legislation includes four bills to make changes to the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Conservation Program. Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas introduced the legislation in the Senate, while …