The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack detailing a list of solutions to address critical supply chain issues facing America’s farmers and ranchers. AFBF detailed seven priorities for USDA to consider in response to President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains. Recommendations they ask USDA to consider action on include: Livestock markets …
AFBF: EPA Should Keep “Navigable” in New WOTUS Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) submitted recommendations last week on the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The comments were filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers. In June 2021, the EPA announced its intent to revise the definition of WOTUS and solicited pre-proposal recommendations. In the recommendations, AFBF expresses disappointment …
AFBF, Senators Concerned with Possible Water Rule Roll Back
The fight over the Biden EPA’s move to roll back the Trump EPA’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule that reversed WOTUS is heating up. At least 30 GOP farm-state senators are behind a bill to make permanent last year’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule that reversed Obama WOTUS and its wetlands permit requirements. The issue is a major concern for the American …
AFB President Disputes Administration Claims on New Capital Gains Tax
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval pushed back against the Biden administration’s stance that most small family farmers will escape a proposed capital gains tax to replace the so-called “stepped-up basis.” Duval disputed the claim that a $2 million per couple exclusion on the gain on farm assets and that passed onto children, will let most off the hook on …
July 4th Cookout Cost Stable Compared to Year Ago
U.S. consumers will pay just a few cents more for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods compared to last year, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau analysis reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people remains affordable at $59.50, or less than …
EPA’s Intention to Revise WOTUS Disappoints Farm Bureau
It’s ‘Groundhog Day’ all over again for the controversial Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, as Biden’s EPA Chief Michael Regan moves to dump the Trump rule that eased the sweeping Obama wetlands restrictions. He recently told the Senate Environment Committee the Obama WOTUS rule and the Trump replacement both need fixing. But American Farm Bureau’s Don Parrish fears …
Biden’s 30X30 Proposal Causing Concern Among U.S. Agriculture
The American Farm Bureau Federation is one of many agriculture groups calling on the Biden Administration to act responsibly when it comes to conservation. Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030, commonly known as “30X30,” is raising many questions. A letter to the administration makes three key requests: that the administration provides …
ASA/AFBF: Stepping on Stepped-up Basis Has Big Consequences
Any change in capital gains tax policy that eliminates or scales back stepped-up basis could result in a massive tax burden on the agricultural sector. A new analysis by the American Soybean Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation confirmed the findings. To minimize the impact of burdensome capital gains taxes, farmers and ranchers use a stepped-up basis, which provides …
Ag Responds to USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers Funding
COVID-19 Aid Released and Expanded to Include More Producers (AFBF) — USDA announced its plans to distribute more than $12 billion under a program called Pandemic Assistance for Producers, which includes aid that had been put on hold as well as funds newly allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program assists farmers and ranchers who previously did not qualify for COVID-19 …
Agriculture Must Be Prioritized for COVID-19 Vaccine
The American Farm Bureau Federation urges the Biden administration to make agriculture a priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sent a letter calling for the elimination of barriers to vaccine access for the country’s farmers and farm workers. “We fully appreciate and support that our nation’s heroic first responders, medical professionals, the elderly and caretakers, along with …