Farmers continue to show interest in carbon markets, but they expect to see some payments from them, according to our exclusive Agri-Pulse poll of U.S. producers. Nearly half of the farmers surveyed say they are at least somewhat likely to participate in carbon markets.
But nearly four in 10 producers surveyed say they would expect at least $40 an acre. Another 16% want at least $30. Some 31% are OK with getting at least $20.
Take note: The poll also says that a solid majority of farmers would support cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
For more on the poll, check out our weekly Agri-Pulse newsletter.
Lucas: Approps extension delays farm bill
The Senate has started the ball rolling on a new stopgap funding bill that would avert a shutdown of USDA and several other departments and agencies this weekend. The Senate last night approved the first procedural motion on a continuing resolution that will keep the government funded through either March 1 or March 8, depending on the agency.
Looking ahead: While the CR would avoid a shutdown, it also could further delay action on a new farm bill. House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson has indicated he’d like to move the bill in March, but the CR could squeeze his calendar.
Former House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., says a March extension for getting the FY24 spending bills done is needed to give appropriators “enough time to finish regular business.” But he tells Agri-Pulse the continuation of the appropriations process puts Ag Committee members in a bind. He doesn’t think there will be any agreement on funding the farm bill until the FY24 appropriations process is completed.
“What we need, in my opinion, is the craziness of funding the government for the rest of the year to be over with, so the leadership and appropriators can make, and the Budget Committee, can make a determination about how much money is available for everything else too. And then we can launch from there,” Lucas told Agri-Pulse.
Keep in mind: The 2024 calendar is exceptionally tight, given that the political conventions start in July and Congress will only be in session for a brief period between then and the November election.
SCOTUS hears arguments on Chevron doctrine
Two widely watched arguments before the Supreme Court today concern the application of what is known as Chevron deference – the idea that when laws are ambiguous, judges should defer to federal agencies’ interpretation of those laws so long as they are “reasonable.”
The cases at issue involve the fishing industry’s responsibility to pay for government observers on their vessels.
Legal scholars and others disagree on the extent that overruling the 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council would affect cases going forward.
Why the cases may matter: The American Farm Bureau Federation, however, along with seven other groups, including the Agricultural Retailers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and the North American Meat Institute, have submitted an amicus brief arguing that “a deference rule, as experience shows, makes it far too easy for agencies and courts to throw up their hands when faced with difficult statutory language and rely on deference rather than careful textual analysis.”
Northey: It’s getting tougher to educate candidate on biofuels
Once again this year, presidential candidates trekked to Iowa and pledged to support biofuels ahead of the state’s caucuses. But Bill Northey, a former Iowa ag secretary and Trump administration official, says it’s getting harder to get meaningful commitments from candidates simply because biofuel issues are more complex than they used to be.
It’s easy to be “in the know” about what’s happening in Washington, D.C. Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse news! Simply click here.
It’s one thing for a candidate to promise to support the Renewable Fuel Standard. It’s another thing to get them to take a stand on specific issues such as electric vehicles, or carbon sequestration pipelines, or a low carbon fuel standard, Northey told Agri-Pulse.
Candidates would “love to be able to swoop in and say I can appeal to ag with a pro-RFS message. Okay, I can do that. I don't have to explain it,” Northey said.
For an analysis of the Iowa caucus results read our weekly newsletter.
OSHA proposes poultry plant pay $212,646 fine for worker death
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing $212,646 in penalties against a Mississippi poultry plant after a 16-year-old sanitation worker was killed after being pulled into a machine.
The teenager was caught by a spinning shaft of a machine in Mar-Jac Poultry's deboning area last July. According to the Labor Department, the incident was the second time in “just over two years” that a worker has died after being injured by machines.
Mar-Jac Poultry did not respond to a request for comment.
Lawmakers call on USDA to open Dairy Margin coverage sign-ups
Eleven House members are urging the Farm Service Agency to open the sign-up period for the 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage program, which they say “continues to be delayed."
“Now, as we are nearly halfway through January, there continues to be no indication given to producers of when they will be eligible to select their DMC coverage level for 2024,” the lawmakers say in a letter to FSA. "This delay in DMC enrollment coupled with the already unpredictable nature of the industry is concerning for the farm economy and the constituents we represent."
Value-added grants available in fiscal 2024
USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is accepting applications for approximately $30 million in Value-Added Producer Grants.
Although Congress hasn’t passed an FY24 appropriations bill for USDA, RBCS says it's issuing the Notice of Funding Opportunity “to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the agency time to process applications within FY 2024.” It estimates the funding would be about $30 million.
Electronic applications will be due 85 days from Jan. 17; paper applications are due five days later.
He said it. “American families will benefit from this bipartisan agreement that provides greater tax relief, strengthens Main Street businesses, boosts our competitiveness with China, and creates jobs.” – House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., on a bipartisan tax agreement with Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore. The agreement includes an increase in limits for the Section 179 expensing provision.
