The U.S. Senate has established a Veterinary Medicine Caucus for the first time ever. The caucus will focus on increasing awareness toward veterinary-related matters in Congress, educating lawmakers and their staffs about the challenges facing the profession, and advancing the legislation that benefits the veterinary community. The bipartisan caucus will be led by Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). …
Florida Ag Commissioner Reminds Local Governments of New Law Prohibiting Special Assessments on Agricultural Land
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/August 9, 2023) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson addressed a letter to local governments reminding them of the new provision in State Law prohibiting counties from levying special assessments on agricultural lands. Read the letter below and here. August 9, 2023 Greetings, As Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, my top priority is to ensure that Florida agriculture continues …
Large Pork Producers Don’t Favor Overturning Prop 12
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would overturn California’s Prop 12. Reuters says some of the country’s biggest pork producers who’ve already spent money to comply with the California requirements don’t favor throwing out Prop 12. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would curb states’ ability to regulate agricultural products sold within their borders. The bill was introduced …
Senator Boozman Says No Mandatory Conservation Programs
Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator John Boozman (R-AR) doesn’t mince words when it comes to conservation programs in the farm bill. “We talk about what needs to be included or excluded in the farm bill and that is a red line for me. We’re simply not going to get ourselves in a situation where we have a …
NCBA President Slams Regulatory Onslaught by Biden Agencies
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson recently slammed administration overregulation during a recent NCBA Beltway Beef podcast. Wilkinson says Biden agencies from the EPA to the Bureau of Land Management are trying to take away the cattle industry’s freedoms. He cites recent EPA statements that it can make minor changes to its Waters of the U.S. rule after the …
Producers Encouraged to Talk to Congress in August
The August recess isn’t break for lawmakers, and farmers are encouraged to remember that. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Lawmakers from the House and Senate are on the annual August recess and back in their respective districts and states. Tom Donnely, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Grassroots Program Development, says lawmakers will spend that time …
Farm Bill May Be in for an Extension
The 2018 Farm Bill officially expires September 30, 2023. And while efforts are underway to get a new bill put together, there are some who feel it won’t be ready by that date. Tyron Spearman reports that means there could be an extension. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in …
Senators Split Over Including Cattle Market Reform in Farm Bill
The two main sponsors of cattle marketing reform legislation are now split over whether to try to include the measure in the farm bill. Senator Chuck Grassley says his chief co-sponsor of the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act now wants to take a different path. “Senator Fischer, one of our main leaders in this area, has told the leadership …
Pork Producers Sue Massachusetts over Animal Housing Law
Triumph Foods and a group of Midwest pork producers are suing the state of Massachusetts over its Question 3 law and others that set minimum housing requirements for livestock. The plaintiffs are challenging the constitutionality of the Q3 law and seeking immediate relief from the law before it takes effect on August 24. They also want enforcement stayed until the …
Senator Tuberville Talks to Alabama Farmers
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville made four stops in Alabama this week talking to farmers about the issues they are having. The stops included Bay Minette, Headland, Boaz and Millbrook where farmers were able to discuss the things they feel are important for the new Farm Bill. Various issues were discussed including labor, which Senator Tuberville noted is a very important …