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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Thursday, November 28, 2024
American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman hopes the lame duck session of the congress can agree to preserve cash accounting for farmers and ranchers as well as restoring the Section 179 advanced depreciation option. Stallman hopes the Obama administration stays within their authority on any potential action on immigration reform and still calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw their proposed rule on Waters of the United States. Stallman encourages trade negotiators to “hang tough” against those countries who are reluctant to open their borders to US agricultural products.
With last week’s announcement of the final rules for the Agriculture Risk Coverage Program and the Price Loss Coverage Program, farmers and landowners can now begin the process of sign-up for risk protection under the new farm law. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is ready for what promises to be a challenging task for FSA staff and the nation’s crop farmers. Vilsack has a wish list for the upcoming lame duck session of congress and says ongoing trade talks with the Japanese have implications far beyond the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Dow AgroSciences announced a long awaited USDA approval for a new crop herbicide last week as well as a collaborative research and development agreement to benefit livestock producers. CEO Tim Hassinger says strategic agreements help companies share risk, resources and expertise in an effort to help agriculture meet the food and fiber needs of a growing planet.
Congress is running short of time to deal with a continuing resolution to fund the government into Fiscal 2015. Alabama 4th District Representative Robert Aderholt, who serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related agencies, shares his outlook on the funding bill and controversial topics like the Export-Import Bank and school lunch guidelines.
Iowa's 4th District Representative Steve King says a budget agreement for the new fiscal year is a top legislative priority for the House of Representatives this month. On regulations, King says the EPA's Waters of the U. S. Rule is an administrative over reach and another example of an overzealous administration.
David Friedberg, CEO of The Climate Corporation says new sensor technologies, data management and storage is bringing a transformation to the agriculture industry. His company is a pioneer in data science gathering pertinent data to create a perpetually evolving model allowing farmers to better predict outcomes in their farming operations. Acquired by Monsanto last year, The Climate Corporation is now covering 50-mllion acres with their free service "Climate Basic" and introduced a $3 dollar per acre subscription advisory service fee for a premium service "Climate Pro" this past week at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.
