ag groups

Consequences of No New Farm Bill

Dan Agri-Business, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative

The farm bill is already a year late, the stakes are high, and time is running out. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its Market Intel Analysis of the consequences of not finishing the legislation and adding another extension of the 2018 bill. While crop insurance is a permanent program, it does need improvements to make it more affordable …

Farm Income Forecast

House Ag Takes Close Look at Dropping Ag Income

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Legislative

Farmers across the U.S. could see a drop of nearly 25-percent in their farm income compared to last year. That’s what USDA is predicting—and that’s why your lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are looking for answers. Ag banker Tony Hotchkiss, who serves as Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Bankers Committee of the American Bankers Association, testified before the House Ag …

livestock industry

National FFA Members Attend the Washington Leadership Conference

Dan Agri-Business, Education, Legislative, This Land of Ours

National FFA heads to Washington DC. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For more than 50 years, thousands of FFA members from across the country have converged on the nation’s capital each summer for the Washington Leadership Conference. It’s a chance to engage with legislators, hone civic engagement and leadership skills, and create community impact projects to take …

house agriculture

House Agriculture Meets to Examine Consequences of EPA Actions

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative

The House Agriculture Committee met this week for a hearing to examine the consequences of Environmental Protection Agency’s actions on American agriculture. In his opening statement, Committee chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) pointed out the environmental stewardship of farmers. “American farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists. No one cares more for the environment than those whose livelihoods depend on …

labor

Labor Bill Passes Appropriations

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, Legislative

There was strong debate at the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, as the full committee marked up the bill for fiscal year 2025 funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. “The bill puts workers first by ensuring businesses can stay open. We protect farmers from a Labor Department determined to close small family-owned farms across …

judge

Judge Blocks Disaster Program Special Funding to Minority Farmers

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Legislative

A Texas federal judge has temporarily blocked a USDA disaster relief program from giving preferential funding to women and minority farmers. The judge sided with a group of plaintiffs who claimed the program illegally discriminates against white male farmers. The judge’s order ruled the program likely violated the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights to equal protection under the law. Agriculture Dive says …

Farm Bill Priorities Discussed at World Pork Expo

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork

The 2024 World Pork Expo kicked off today in Des Moines, Iowa, and one of the events this morning was a policy panel discussion hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Producer-leaders and experts discussed the need to work with both sides of the aisle to support America’s pork producers as the farm bill is being discussed.  Preparing for and preventing foreign animal diseases, navigating …

house

House Subcommittee Advances AM for Every Vehicle Act

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative

Lawmakers recently advanced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act out of a subcommittee. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce marked up and passed the legislation for full committee consideration. The action follows a subcommittee hearing on April 30, and mirrors the draft legislative language that was the focus of hearing. Representatives from the National …