Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Monday, January 29, 2018

80,000 Urge Trump Administration Not to Roll Back Progress on School Nutrition

Statement of CSPI Vice President for Nutrition Margo G. Wootan More than 80,000 Americans have filed comments with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to oppose its proposals to weaken school nutrition standards, including a proposed three-year delay of the next phase of sodium reduction in school meals and a possible elimination of any further decreases. We stand with them in urging the Trump administration to continue the progress to improve school food and support children’s health. This opposition is joined by over 50 health and child welfare organizations and more than 50 scientists and academics. Sixty percent of Americans oppose rolling back school nutrition, according to a new poll released by CSPI. Prior to the Trump proposal, the plan was for schools to gradually decrease the amount of salt in school meals to safer levels over ten years. That plan is well underway. A three-year delay would mean that school kids would eat 84 more teaspoons of salt—or more than three months’ worth of extra sodium—from school meals. Nine out of ten kids today eat too much salt, and high salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, even in kids, which can lead to heart disease and stroke later in life. CSPI, other health organizations, and the public also oppose maintaining a waiver for schools to provide fewer whole grains. Eighty-five percent of schools have shown that they can meet the requirements for whole grains in schools. All school children should have access to the health benefits of more whole grains and less white flour and refined grains. Thanks to the existing school nutrition standards, schools are already providing low-income children (through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs) with healthier school meals with less salt, more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and no trans fat, in addition to removing most soda and junk food from schools. The improvements to school food are an amazing success story and one of the most important policy achievements in a generation. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that the improvement to school food could prevent more than 2 million cases of childhood obesity and save up to $792 million in health-care related costs over ten years. With such tremendous progress, it makes no sense for the Trump administration to allow schools and companies to reverse course and to jeopardize kids’ health.

Census of Agriculture response deadline one week away

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reminds our nation’s farmers and ranchers that the deadline for the 2017 Census of Agriculture is one week away. Producers should respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail by February 5. The online questionnaire offers new timesaving features. The Census of Agriculture is the only NASS questionnaire mailed to every producer across the country and is conducted just once every five years. The Census provides a complete account of the industry, its changes, and emerging trends. Census data are widely used, often relied on when developing the Farm Bill and other farm policy, and when making decisions about disaster relief, community planning, technology development, and more. “We are asking producers to help show our nation the value and importance of American agriculture,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We need to hear from all of our farmers and ranchers, no matter how big or how small their part of agriculture. The Census is their voice, their future, their opportunity. Please respond now.” Everyone who received the 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire is to return it, even if they are not currently farming. The first few qualifying questions on the form will determine whether completing the entire questionnaire is necessary. After the February 5 deadline, NASS will begin following-up with additional mailings, e-mails, phone calls, and personal appointments. To avoid these additional contacts, farmers and ranchers are asked to complete their Census as soon as possible. “It is important that every producer respond to the Census of Agriculture so that they are represented and reflected in the data,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “These statistics can directly impact producers for years. Without their input, our hardworking farmers and ranchers risk being underserved.” The Census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. Producers are required by law to respond; NASS is required by the same federal law to keep all information confidential, use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov. For questions or assistance with the Census, call toll-free (888) 424-7828.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

CFS: A Government Shutdown Would Dangerously Hinder Food Safety

CFS call on the Trump Administration to make food safety an essential service WASHINGTON—Today is the deadline for government funding approval. As government agencies brace for a shutdown, Congress holds food safety in their hands. In response, Jaydee Hanson, senior policy analyst for Center for Food Safety issued the following statement: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees roughly 80 percent of the country’s food supply. In the last big government shutdown (2013), FDA told more than half of its inspectors to stay home. Already, FDA lacks enough inspectors to monitor all of the produce that the US produces and imports. Cutting inspectors would mean that they would not do plant inspections, which are already too infrequent, during this period, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) tracks foodborne illness. Cutting CDC staff means staff will miss early indications of the next E.coli, salmonella, or listeria outbreaks. People might actually die for lack of government action warning them of contaminated food. We call on the Trump Administration to make food safety an essential service and bring all food safety personnel to work in the case of a shutdown.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Farm Bureau Re-elects President Zippy Duvall, Sets Agenda for 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 9, 2018 – Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention today unanimously re-elected AFBF President Zippy Duvall. Delegates also approved measures to help assure a prosperous agricultural and rural economy in the coming year and beyond. Resolutions approved by farmer and rancher delegates from across the nation ran the gamut of issues, from trade to regulatory reform, crop insurance, biotechnology and more. “Today’s actions give us a clear roadmap at a time when farmers are on the verge of their fifth consecutive year of shrinking net farm income,” Duvall said. “Despite these difficulties, we remain optimistic: Official Washington feels more like a partner than it did just a short time ago. We have real opportunities to make progress in policy that we have not had in the past.” Among other things, delegates approved measures supporting: • An improved Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program to decrease risk-management disparities across counties • A flexible cotton support program that considers cotton seed, cotton lint or both to help beleaguered cotton growers • Strengthened and more flexible risk management and safety-net programs for dairy farmers • Permission for workers to seek employment from more than one farmer under the H2A program • Trade and trade agreements that strengthen market opportunities for U.S. agriculture • Elimination of sunset provisions in trade agreements, to give certainty to businesses into the future • Modification of NAFTA to improve market access to difficult Canadian dairy markets, in addition to improved food-safety standards for imported products • An end to use of non-GMO labels on products that do not have GMO alternatives • A $1 per member increase in dues paid by state affiliates of the American Farm Bureau Federation • Support for the use of gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR, along with a voluntary and uniform labeling program for such products

Farm Bureau Elects New Grassroots Leaders

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 9, 2018 – Delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention elected members to serve as board and committee leaders for the organization. AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal were re-elected to two-year terms. Bryan Searle, president of Idaho Farm Bureau, and Ron Gibson, president of Utah Farm Bureau, were elected to two-year terms on the AFBF board of directors, representing the Western Region. Hans McPherson, president of Montana Farm Bureau, was elected to a one-year term, representing the Western Region. Rodd Moesel, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, was elected to a one-year term, representing the Southern Region. Twelve other state Farm Bureau presidents were re-elected to two-year terms to represent their regions on the board: Carl Bednarski, Michigan; Jim Holte, Wisconsin; Blake Hurst, Missouri; and Steve Nelson, Nebraska (Midwest Region); Mark Haney, Kentucky; John Hoblick, Florida; Harry Ott, South Carolina; Jimmy Parnell, Alabama; Wayne Pryor, Virginia; and Randy Veach, Arkansas (Southern Region); and Rick Ebert, Pennsylvania and Ryck Suydam, New Jersey (Northeast Region). Russell Kohler of Utah was elected the new chair of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for a one-year term, which makes him a member of the AFBF board of directors. Elected to two-year terms on the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee were Cindy Ramsey, Indiana; Jennifer Cross, Maryland; and Lou Nave, Tennessee. Lillian Ostendorf of Montana was re-elected to a two-year term on the committee. AFBF’s 100th Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show will be held in New Orleans, Jan. 11-16, 2019.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Trump Promotes Rural Development Initiative in Speech to Farm Bureau Members

Trump Promotes Rural Development Initiative in Speech to Farm Bureau Members NASHVILLE, Tenn., January, 8, 2018 – President Donald Trump today unveiled a major initiative designed to strengthen a rural economy that has lagged urban areas in recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-2008. Trump signed two executive orders that fund and streamline the expansion of rural broadband access after an address to 7,400 farmers and ranchers gathered at American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention. In addition to economic development, Trump touched on issues of particular importance to agriculturists such as regulations, labor and trade. He praised farmers for their enduring values. “We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity and pride—and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer.” Farmers, Trump said, “embody the values of hard work, grit, self-reliance and sheer determination.” The president spent much of his address decrying the costs of excessive regulation and tallying the rules his administration has moved to eliminate. “We are also putting an end to the regulatory assault on your way of life. And it was an assault,” he said. Trump singled out the Waters of the United States rule, now being withdrawn following an executive order he signed in the first weeks of his administration. “It sounds so nice, it sounds so innocent, and it was a disaster. People came to me about it and they were crying – men who were tough and strong, women who were tough and strong – because I gave them back their property and I gave them back their farms. We ditched the rule.” Trump acknowledged controversy over the North American Free Trade Agreement and other trade agreements that account for roughly a quarter of U.S. agriculture revenues. “To level the playing field for all of our farmers and ranchers as well as our manufacturers we are reviewing all of our trade agreements,” he said. “On NAFTA I am working very hard to get a better deal for our farmers and ranchers and manufacturers.” Trump promised the farm bill would continue to provide a safety net for farmers who are now entering their fifth year of declining incomes. “I look forward to working with Congress to pass the farm bill on time so that it delivers for all of you, and I support a bill that includes crop insurance,” he said. AFBF President Zippy Duvall said Trump’s visit marked a watershed in D.C. politics. “Farmers and ranchers have too long faced burdensome regulations,” Duvall said. “This president understands the toll government overreach has taken on ordinary business and is moving swiftly to clear the way for prosperity. We are moving into yet another year of economic difficulty. Relief could not have come at a better time.”

Farmers Explore the Challenges and Rewards of Organic Farming

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 8, 2018 – A panel of Farm Bureau members who farm organically discussed the challenges and rewards of choosing organic farming at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Panelist Tom Schwarz, an organic farmer from Bertrand, Nebraska, who currently serves on AFBF’s Organic and Direct Marketing Issue Advisory Committee, said organic was a viable option for his family after going through financial, weather and estate planning challenges. “From my perspective, organic has a variety of challenges including intense management and record keeping, social pressures, weed management and the need for quick adaptability to change and problem solving,” Schwarz said. “But I love that the customers appreciate what we do. “We need as farmers to start looking at customers. My job is to say ‘I can do that,’” Schwarz said. “We as farmers are not here to make judgements on consumers.” Blake Alexandre’s family said that the journey to organic production made sense when they thought about creating a business option that would be viable for their five children, after evaluating their financial goals. They focused on life beginning in the soil and producing the most nutrient-dense milk, eggs and meat on their farm in Northern California. “We don’t need to be apologetic about what we do,” said Alexandre. “We are farming like my grandfather did only with more knowledge. “We value working hard and working smart, and we recognize that we must remain profitable to sustain the business we depend upon,” said Alexandre. “We recognize life is not easy and life on the farm can be even more difficult. We value and surround our business with the personalities and positive attitudes of ‘we can do it.’” Carolyn Olson serves on the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors and chairs AFBF’s Organic and Direct Marketing Issue Advisory Committee. She said she and her husband, Jonathon, had been raising food-grade soybeans to add value to their crops. In 1996, buyers began asking if the soybeans were organic. Since then, they transitioned all 1,100 acres to certified organic while raising their hogs conventionally. “Jonathan and I have found that we really enjoy the process of farming organically. We are always reevaluating our weed control methods and changing how we do things,” said Olson. “Being open and honest about what we do and how we farm has helped relationships. It has also helped to create a more positive view of organic agriculture in general. “I believe that doing what one wants to do is freedom. Doing what you love doing is happiness,” said Olson. “We love what we do.”

Gene Editing Holds Potential to Revolutionize Agriculture

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 8, 2018 – Gene editing holds the potential to revolutionize agriculture, according to expert speakers at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Addressing farmer and rancher attendees in separate workshops, the University of Florida’s Dr. Kevin Folta and Dr. Alison Van Eenanaam with the University of California, Davis, coupled their enthusiasm for the practical benefits gene editing can bring with calls for supporters to share the science with consumers. “Gene editing will revolutionize agriculture,” said Folta. “Farmers and scientists need to be at the forefront, driving the conversation on innovation and its benefits to consumers.” He cited non-browning fruits and vegetables and an end to citrus greening disease as production agriculture examples. “We need to share the science and communicate the benefits of gene editing, starting with medical benefits that consumers can support and relate to,” he said. Cancer therapy for infants and elimination of food allergies developed through gene editing are just a couple of examples. Van Eenanaam described gene editing as “the cherry on top of conventional animal breeding programs,” which has the potential to benefit farmers through applications such as disease resistance and hornless dairy cattle. She noted that the current regulatory environment is a major stumbling block to making applications of gene editing technology widely available. In fact, there are no animals produced with gene editing available in the U.S. “Regulatory processes should be proportional to risk,” Van Eenanaam said. “The regulatory burden for animals produced with gene editing is disproportionately high, with unaccountable delays. There is an urgent need to ensure a science-based process focused on novel product risk for the use of gene editing in ag breeding programs,” she said.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Farm Bureau’s Duvall Praises ‘Fresh Air’ in D.C., Calls for Better Immigration, Trade, Farm Bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on farmers and ranchers to redouble their efforts to advocate for agriculture, even as the current administration has begun moving to undo some of the regulations that have burdened them for years. “We have had a seat at the table with the Trump administration,” Duvall told nearly 7,000 farmers and ranchers gathered for the organization’s annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. “Folks, I can tell you that it has been a breath of fresh air to be able to advocate for getting things done…instead of having to constantly defend agriculture against a steady stream of challenges from our own government.” In his address Duvall covered the gamut of major issues that began to move in recent months. “Probably the biggest challenge we faced in recent years was the Waters of the U.S. rule,” he said. “That over-reaching regulation would have allowed the federal government to dictate not just how you farm — but whether you could farm at all. Thanks to your engagement, and thanks to EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, the old rule is being reconsidered. And we are urging the agency to propose a new rule…one that draws clear lines that protect waters without regulating farm fields. “It’s thanks to your engagement that Congress passed tax reform last year—giving farmers a new 20 percent deduction on their business income, doubling the estate tax exemption, preserving tax credits that farmers depend on, and lowering the individual tax rate,” he said. Duvall underlined the importance of trade to American farmers. “As I have traveled, I have discovered that even some within agriculture don’t understand what’s at stake if we lose our trade agreements. Trade should not be a dirty word. Because without those global markets our already-depressed farm economy would go down even more. We sell about half of what we produce to foreign markets around the world. If we lose those markets, where is that agricultural production going to go? Ag trade is an American success story.” Immigration remains a key issue with American farmers. “We also have some work to do on immigration and ag labor,” he said. “This is yet another issue that has been overtaken by politics. But I have met many farmers and ranchers across the country who deal with the reality of farm labor shortages on their farms. Everywhere I go, no matter which region or state, farmers tell me this is the number one problem they face—not enough ag workers to get their crops out of the field. “Last year, Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia introduced a bill that would let existing workers apply for visas to stay in the U.S. and keep working on our farms and ranches. We need Congress to pass that bill so we can keep from losing ag production to other countries that have better access to labor.” The farm bill, meanwhile, is expected to pass Congress sometime this year. Duvall reminded Farm Bureau members it remains a top priority at a time when farmers and ranchers are facing the worst outlook since the collapse of the farm economy in the 1980s. “The fact is – the farm bill is a food security bill for everyone,” he said. “It’s for consumers. And it’s for conservation. It’s for rural development. It’s for energy security. It’s for research so we can continue to increase production and meet future demand. And, yes, it is and should continue to be for those low-income Americans who need extra help to put food on their table.”

Canadian Minister of Agriculture: Trade and NAFTA are Essential to Prosperity

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – Trade relationships are the foundation for creating economic prosperity between nations, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said at the opening session of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville. MacAulay, who is the first Canadian agriculture minister to speak to Farm Bureau members at an annual convention, said that trade, the North American Free Trade Agreement and building on common interests are the three areas the U.S. and Canada should focus on. “The closer the U.S. and Canada work together to address common challenges, the more we can grow our economies,” he said. “No two nations depend on each other for economic prosperity more than the U.S. and Canada.” Since 1994, trade among NAFTA partners has tripled, and agriculture and food exports from the U.S. to Canada and Mexico have quadrupled. “The American Farm Bureau knows how vital NAFTA is to our industry,” said MacAulay. “We must continue to ensure that North America remains a major building block in our shared economic prosperity. If we grow our trade relationship, we will grow our economies together.” Speaking on NAFTA renegotiation, MacAulay said the main objective is to do no harm to agriculture. “Can NAFTA be updated? Of course. But it’s like an old tractor in the barn. We can make it better, but let’s not destroy the tractor.” In closing MacAulay thanked Farm Bureau members for their commitment to promoting trade. “Your presence here speaks to the optimism of the future,” he said.

State Farm Bureaus Recognized for Excellence

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – State Farm Bureaus were presented awards at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. The awards recognized excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2017. The Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state can be awarded for program and membership achievement, was given to Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. New Horizon Awards, honoring states with the most innovative new programs, were presented to: Alabama, Arizona, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia. The Awards of Excellence are awarded to state Farm Bureaus that demonstrate outstanding achievements in four program areas: Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; and Membership Value. The Awards of Excellence winners by state and category are: • Alabama (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Arkansas (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Arizona (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • California (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Colorado (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Connecticut (Engagement and Outreach) • Florida (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Georgia (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Idaho (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Illinois (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Indiana (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Iowa (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Kansas (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development) • Kentucky (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Louisiana (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development) • Maryland (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development) • Massachusetts (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Michigan (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Minnesota (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Mississippi (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach, Membership Value) • Missouri (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development) • Montana (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Nebraska (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Membership Value) • Nevada (Advocacy) • New Mexico (Advocacy) • New York (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • North Carolina (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Ohio (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Oklahoma (Advocacy; Membership Value) • Oregon (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development) • Pennsylvania (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • South Carolina (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Membership Value) • South Dakota (Education and Outreach) • Tennessee (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Texas (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Utah (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Virginia (Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value) • Washington (Advocacy; Leadership and Business Development) • Wisconsin (Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development)

Farm Bureau Distinguished Service and Founders Awards: Sen. James Inhofe and Kenneth Dierschke Honored

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – The American Farm Bureau Federation presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, to Sen. James Inhofe, and the Farm Bureau Founders Award to Kenneth Dierschke during AFBF’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award in 1928 to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture. The Farm Bureau Founders Award was established in January 2017 to recognize exemplary leadership, service or contributions to Farm Bureau by officers or employees of AFBF and state Farm Bureau organizations. Sen. Inhofe is a longtime friend of America’s farm and ranch families and an eight-time recipient of AFBF’s Friend of Farm Bureau award. His commitment to protecting landowners’ property rights, preserving our natural resources, and reining in federal regulatory overreach has brought relief to farmers and ranchers across our nation. From the start of his public service career, Inhofe’s primary goal has been to shrink the federal government, after seeing firsthand how over-regulation was stifling our free enterprise system. “I spent 20 years as a builder and a developer. I was out doing what Americans are supposed to be doing: expanding the tax base, making money, losing money,” Inhofe said. “All those years the chief opposition I had was federal over-regulation.” Inhofe was first elected to Congress in 1986, and has served in the Senate since 1994. As a member and past chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Inhofe has been a staunch advocate for farmers and ranchers through his work to stop unreasonable regulations, rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, protect investments in ag research and innovation, and promote policies that help create jobs and economic prosperity. He led the legislative charge to put a stop to the flawed Waters of the U.S. rule, and has been a leading voice on Capitol Hill for bringing a common-sense, science-based approached to the regulatory process. “He’s a guy you want on your side,” Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel said of Inhofe. “There is no better bulldog, there is no better warrior fighting for your issues, and we are blessed that most of the time he and Farm Bureau are on the very same side.” Kenneth Dierschke, a fourth-generation West Texas cotton and grain farmer, has served as a Farm Bureau leader for more than 50 years. A former Texas Farm Bureau president and AFBF board member, Dierschke credits his father with first urging him to step up as an advocate for agriculture. “I had a yearning to be a farmer all of my life, so I decided I’d come back to the farm and when I did, my father told me you just can’t come back here and sit around,” Dierschke said. “You need to get involved, and Farm Bureau is the organization you need to get involved in.” Get involved he did. In his 12 years leading the Texas Farm Bureau, Dierschke was instrumental in gaining passage of three major farm bills. “Farm bill was always high on his list,” said current Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening. “Being a West Texas farmer, cotton probably over most of his lifetime, he understood the importance of the farm bill, the importance of a good safety net.” Dierschke fought, and won, other tough battles for agriculture like the Trans Texas Corridor—a massive private property takeover which threatened to run over farms and rural communities. He led by example to foster cooperation with other agricultural groups to the benefit of farmers and ranchers across his state and beyond. Dierschke also never missed an opportunity to discuss and promote trade of U.S. -grown and -raised products, and served as a member of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Advisory Council. A lifelong advocate for agriculture, Dierschke continues to pass on the advice his father gave him as a young man: “You are Farm Bureau. You’re the grassroots; that’s what this organization is all about. If you don’t do it, the leaders aren’t going to do it, because they listen to what you tell them, and that’s what drew me to Farm Bureau.” The Oklahoma Farm Bureau nominated Sen. Inhofe to receive the DSA award; the Texas Farm Bureau nominated Dierschke to receive the Founders Award. A national Farm Bureau committee named each as winners.

Leadership Means Saying Yes to Opportunities and Telling Your Story

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – “The world truly is led by those who show up,” Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn told over 750 attendees at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville. Chinn challenged members of the audience to say yes when opportunities arise, otherwise others may tell your story in a less-favorable light, she warned. After serving a term as the national chairman of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, Chinn went on to serve as a state board member for Missouri Farm Bureau. In December 2016, newly elected Missouri Governor Eric Greitens asked Chinn to lead the state Department of Agriculture. She was initially reluctant to accept the offer, citing family and farm obligations. While weighing the governor-elect’s offer, Chinn reflected on her time serving as the Young Farmers & Ranchers chairman. “I realized that we had better show up and we had better make sure our voice is heard, or we’re going to have a lot of changes on our family farms that we won’t like,” Chinn said. She decided to accept the role in order to further the story of agriculture. Chinn believes that farmers can be their own best advocates. “You do not have to have a title to lead from where you are,” she said. “The activist groups are afraid of us standing up and sharing our story, because the one thing each of us possesses that you can’t buy is a passion for what we do on a daily basis.” Telling the story of agriculture on social media can be extremely powerful. “If people are getting their information off of the internet, that’s where we need to be,” Chinn said. “If we’re all out there using social media to tell our story, we can make an impact,” she said. Chinn also encouraged farmers to remain positive and not engage in mudslinging. “[Changing minds] isn’t about standing up, preaching and telling someone that I am right and they are wrong. It is about listening to their concerns and trying to understand where they are coming from,” she said. Building and preserving relationships is also key. “Make sure that while you’re disagreeing with somebody, that you may decide to disagree on a topic, but don’t hate that person and don’t burn your bridge with those people,” she said.

Disaster Assistance Will Set the Stage for Next Farm Bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – Passing a disaster assistance bill for agriculture will set the stage for the next farm bill, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) told workshop attendees at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Ideally, lawmakers will address contentious issues related to cotton and dairy programs in the disaster bill and “get them out of the way” before the farm bill debate heats up, according to Moran said. He noted that the Senate is likely to take up the House-passed disaster aid bill, amend it and send it back as a package. “We know you’re anxious to see action” on the farm bill but progress is often slow, Moran acknowledged. He also noted that if all of agriculture doesn’t work together, nothing will get done. The House is ahead of the Senate in terms of progress on the farm bill, and overall timing of the legislation is uncertain. Moran did predict the Senate will release its version of the farm bill in the first few months of 2018. As far as what the upcoming farm bill should include, “the current safety net is not adequate and changes are needed,” Moran said, referring specifically to the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for crops. Touching on another current farm policy issue, Moran told farmers and ranchers “we need to make sure exports of farm goods are protected and enhanced, not diminished.” He encouraged farmers and ranchers to “make certain the case is made on the importance of ag trade” whenever they have the opportunity.

Stable Forecast for U.S. Crop Prices Forecast

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – U.S. grain prices and crop demand for 2017-2018 will likely show no major changes, according to Dr. Keith Coble, former chief economist for Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans and the head of the Agricultural Economics Department at Mississippi State University. Coble spoke to workshop attendees during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show about global crop trends and the U.S. farm policy outlook for the upcoming year. Trends for 2018 will be similar to 2017, unless a major disruption occurs, such as weather or foreign market changes, Coble said. “We are really not seeing anything that is significantly moving the markets up or down in the short-term,” said Coble. “Markets are going to see mostly sideways movement. Cotton is the most promising of the commodities.” Coble addressed the outlooks on global and U.S. markets for each of the major crop markets separately – corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and rice – predicting not much change will occur. He also spoke about the future of crop insurance. “The overall percentage of the farm bill taken up by the farm commodity program has diminished, because of the shift away from Title I programs toward crop insurance programs,” he said. The presentation concluded with audience questions about Coble’s opinion of the next farm bill and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Coble said the farm bill will likely receive minor tweaks because of the shortened window that comes with an election year.

USDA Under Secretary Confident Good Neighbor Relations Will Prevail in NAFTA Talks

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – Current North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations are a lot like a Sumo wrestling match, according to Ted McKinney, under secretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs for the Agriculture Department. He said there is an extraordinary amount of posturing in the circle, but he is hopeful that the United States, Canada and Mexico will meet in the middle and find some agreement in the next round of trade negotiations. McKinney spoke to Farm Bureau members at a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. He addressed a host of trade issues around the country, but said NAFTA is the most important project that the United States has right now. “Let’s not blow up NAFTA, but that doesn’t mean that changes shouldn’t be made,” said McKinney. “Good friendships don’t mean that you don’t have hard conversations to right-size agreements that may be 20 years old.” McKinney said dairy is the biggest issue facing the agricultural end of NAFTA negotiations. Last year, Canada moved forward with a new class of milk that virtually shut out American-made ultra filtered milk. He said that issue took farmers over the top. “Dairy is the big deal. Every dairy organization has written, phoned or been in my office. It is the itch that needs to be scratched and the elephant in the room,” he said. McKinney also ran down a list of other potential trade opportunities for American farmers including Japan, China, Britain, Vietnam and India. With each of those come challenges, but he is looking to get free trade agreements that will open up new markets for American products, especially in expanding economies where growing middle classes are wanting to buy more protein like meat and dairy. He said opening new markets also helps to spread the risk if other trade agreements get bumpy. He admitted one of the toughest markets right now is the European Union. He was critical of the EU’s response to biotechnology and its attempt to label glyphosate as a carcinogen when it has been scientifically proven to be one of the safest products used by farmers and consumers alike. “Stop playing politics,” he said. “The shenanigans have got to stop.” To support the trade movement, he encouraged Farm Bureau members to share their stories on things like the need for free trade, the safety of GMOs, and why you need certain products to farm. He says speaking to local community members is just as important as writing a letter to your governor and congressional leaders. “It may help turn this NAFTA thing around a little bit. Without your voice, it is not going to work,” said McKinney. In the end, he summed up how important our neighbors are to the United States and believes if all sides work in good faith, NAFTA will get resolved. “I’m a huge fan of our Canadian friends. I love Canada, but Canada, it is time to step forward,” said McKinney. “I think we can get there because of the importance of the relationship.”

Livestock Outlook Positive for 2018

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 7, 2018—Last year ended on a good note, and the 2018 outlook for livestock and poultry sectors is positive overall, according to James Robb, director and senior agricultural livestock economist for the Livestock Marketing Information Center. There are, however, concerns for both markets as uncertainty looms around trade agreements, Robb told workshop attendees at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Demand for meat has increased, and Americans are expected to consume about 219 pounds of red meat and poultry per year. That’s the largest since around 2007, according to Robb. As demand increases, quality will be more important than ever before. “Beef sells for well more than other products because consumers are willing to pay a premium,” Robb said. “Consumers don’t care about the cost of production, and they won’t pay the premium for beef if the quality isn’t there.” Robb noted the pork sector is considering establishing grading guidelines similar to beef. “Beef product, compared to pork and chicken, has improved dramatically,” he said. “Pork wants to have grading guidelines like beef to improve their product.” Competition for the customer also factors into prices and marketing. “How do you get people into traditional grocery stores?” Robb asked. “The meat case, dairy products, fresh fruit drive customers to the store.” Pet food is also changing the marketplace with the use of animal-based proteins. “There’s fresh pet food, frozen pet food,” Robb said. “Millennials pay more per pound for pet food than they do for their own food.” Exports have added value for cattle producers—adding an extra $66 per head. But uncertainty centers around deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. “We think that number could grow but it’s dependent on things like NAFTA,” Robb said. “A lot went right for cattle prices in 2017, but we’re still marketing calves against larger supplies.” Financial management is critical, Robb said, and will be more important as the markets change. “The marketing plan is tied to the cash flow statement,” he said. “If we do have problems while the calf crop is growing, we have to be quicker to the draw and make fast decisions while the market is adjusting.”

Ag Law Experts Review Top Legal Issues Affecting Farmers

NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 7, 2018 – Court decisions and changes in the law can have significant impacts on farm and ranch businesses, according to two agricultural law experts who presented at a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, assistant professor and Extension specialist in agricultural law with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, and Paul Goeringer, Extension legal specialist at the University of Maryland, gave an overview of legal issues affecting farmers and ranchers, including the Waters of the U.S. rule, dicamba drift, a tentative settlement in the Syngenta corn class action lawsuits and “ag gag” laws. WOTUS “Congress gave the EPA jurisdiction over ‘Waters of the U.S.,’ but didn’t define Waters of the U.S.,” said Lashmet. This left the definition up to the agency, but rather than interpreting the scope of the regulation, EPA expanded it with the 2015 WOTUS rule. Numerous lawsuits were filed, and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the rule in 2015. Farmers could be required to get a permit for a farm pond, with permit costs ranging from $30,000 for a “simple” permit up to $280,000 for a complex one, and with daily fines of $37,500 for non-compliance. In 2016 the Supreme Court heard a challenge, and a ruling is expected sometime in summer 2018. “No group is more familiar with WOTUS than the American Farm Bureau,” said Lashmet. Dicamba Drift Goeringer said new EPA regulations will force new labeling requirements for dicamba use. Only permitted, certified applicators who received dicamba-specific training can apply the product, and operators cannot spray if wind is higher than 10 miles per hour. There are new record-keeping requirements and more specific tank cleanout requirements. Dicamba can only be sprayed during daylight hours, and farmers must do additional checks for sensitive crops before spraying. Other labeling requirements from 2017 will still apply, and new state laws and regulations have been adopted in several states. Tentative Syngenta Settlement In 2013, corn shipments were rejected at a Chinese port due to the presence of Viptera, and lawsuits were filed across the country by shippers and grain handlers, as well as farmers who did not plant the seed. Many suits were consolidated in Kansas, where a jury awarded $217 million to farmers. The court also certified nine initial class-action lawsuits in several states. Unconfirmed reports say a settlement could be $1.5 billion, but any payout will take considerable time to be decided. The message to farmers, said Lashmet, is to “pay attention to your mailbox for a mailing about opting in or out, or a notice of settlement.” “Ag Gag” Laws Farm protection laws, unfairly described as “ag gag” laws by opposition groups, have been passed in Idaho, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and North Carolina. These laws make it a crime to trespass on or video ag operations or to seek employment with intent to video ag operations. The court affirmed some of these provisions and struck down others. Other Legal Issues Goeringer and Lashmet also gave brief updates on federal reserved water rights on insurance protection exclusions for manure, and urged farmers and ranchers to be informed about legal issues that could impact their businesses. “Being involved in Farm Bureau is the best way to stay up to date on the regulations and laws that affect you,” said Lashmet.