Alabama peanut farmers voted to continue the current assessment on peanuts that is collected by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and administered by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA). In a referendum conducted on April 20, 2023, ninety-one percent of those who voted said “yes” to continuing APPA’s programs in education, promotion, and research. For the continuance referendum to …
ACA Tracking Livestock Bills in Alabama Legislature
The 2023 Alabama Legislative Session continues this week, and a bill to protect livestock owners from overly restrictive municipal ordinances and a bill to exempt livestock fencing materials from Alabama’s sales and use tax are closely being tracked by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA). Erin Beasley, ACA executive vice president, explains where things stand with these bills. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed …
Efforts to Restrict Drone Surveillance of Livestock Facilities
In the state of Iowa, the House of Representatives passed a bill last week that restricts drone surveillance of livestock facilities without permission from the property owner. If Iowa House File 572 becomes law, remotely piloted aircraft couldn’t fly within 400 feet of homesteads or other areas where animals are kept. People caught in violation would face a simple misdemeanor …
NCBA Continues to Work on Various Issues
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) continues working on various issues, including traceability. Southeast AgNet’s Will Jordan recently talked with Buck Wehrbein, NCBA vice president who gave us a quick update on some of those. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Senate Passes Resolution Overturning Biden Administration’s WOTUS Rule
The U.S. Senate passed the Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval that overturns the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule by a 53-43 vote. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.VA.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the resolution in February. The administration introduced a new rule in December 2022 that repealed the Navigable …
Groups Call for Checkoff Reform in the 2023 Farm Bill
This week, a coalition of 131 groups representing farmers, the food system, the environment, animal welfare, and antimonopoly advocacy called on Congress to restore accountability and transparency to commodity checkoff programs by supporting inclusion of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act (S.557 and H.R.1249) in the 2023 Farm Bill. Checkoff programs are funded through mandatory fees on farmers and ranchers producing …
Florida Lawmakers Release Budgets
Week three of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session saw lawmakers from both the House and Senate releasing their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, notes the two preliminary budgets don’t quite mirror each other. To learn more, contact the FCA office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers …
Agriculture Watching Movement of Bills in Georgia Legislature
Week eleven of the Georgia Legislature was busy one, with lawmakers working to push certain bills through. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley says that includes one they’ve been tracking all session. The last day of the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session is scheduled to be no later than March 30. Keep track of any of the bills during the …
U.S. Peanut Federation Joins Ag Groups Urging Help from Budget Committee
We told you yesterday that various agricultural groups are asking the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees for help this year. Tyron Spearman reports that one of those groups is the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF). Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Simpson, Lawmakers Announce Proposal to Prohibit Local Special Assessments on Agricultural Lands
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 21, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, State Senator Jay Collins, State Representative Kaylee Tuck, and agriculture stakeholders announced a legislative proposal to prohibit local governments from levying special assessments on Florida agricultural lands. “All too often, our residents and decision makers take for granted Florida’s agricultural abundance, and believe that a safe, affordable, and abundant food …