Rural Issues from Brownfield Ag News

Iowa ag leader: Crop insurance criticism is ‘unwarranted’

Ken Anderson — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:36:35 +0000

The president of Iowa Farm Bureau, Craig Hill, says criticism of the federal crop insurance program is “unwarranted”.

“I don’t think it’s overly-subsidized. I think it’s properly managed,” says Hill. “In the case of Iowa farmers, we think it’s done about right.”

Hill shared his thoughts on crop insurance in an interview...

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Training exercise prepares emergency responders

Dave Russell — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:33:33 +0000

A training exercise to prepare emergency responders on how best to deal with farm animals in the case of an accident was held on Tuesday, May 14, at the Ohio State University’s Eastern Agricultural Research Station near Caldwell. Dr. Steve Boyles, Extension beef cattle specialist at The Ohio State University says it’s important for emergency...

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‘King amendment’ gains approval from House Ag Committee

Ken Anderson — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:20:40 +0000

In Wednesday’s House Ag Committee Farm Bill markup session, Iowa Representative Steve King was successful in attaching his “Protect Interstate Commerce Act”, which would bar states from imposing their own animal-welfare standards on eggs, meat and other ag products brought in from other states.

The amendment is aimed at preventing...

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A Brazilian’s perspective on the environment and climate change

Ken Anderson — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:14:51 +0000

Brazilian rancher Antonio Ferreira was one of the speakers at the recent Water for Food Conference in Nebraska. The main focus of this year’s conference was climate change and the environment. In an interview with Brownfield, Ferreira gave us his perspective on these timely issues.

AUDIO: Antonio Ferreira (8:33 MP3)

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Latest USFRA Food Dialogues event focused on biotechnology

Ken Anderson — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:50:04 +0000

The latest Food Dialogues event, sponsored by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), took place in Chicago in late April. The focus of the discussion was the impact media has on consumers’ knowledge of biotechnology (GMOs).

Brownfield talked to Nebraska farmer and USFRA board member Lisa Lunz, who attended that event.

AUDIO: Lisa Lunz...

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Johanns: EPA’s handling of producer information ‘is a mess’

Ken Anderson — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:46:28 +0000

Reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continued to release personal information about livestock operations—even after livestock groups and members of Congress complained about the situation—have raised the ire of Nebraska U.S. Senator Mike Johanns.

In a written statement, Johanns called EPA’s action “at best, woeful...

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FDA preparing new restrictions on antimicrobial use in livestock

Ken Anderson — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:34:17 +0000

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding a series of five meetings across the U.S. to discuss proposed restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals.

The purpose of the meetings is to allow public feedback on the challenges veterinarians and producers will face under the proposed rules, which would place new restrictions of...

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The impact of climate change on agriculture–today and tomorrow

Ken Anderson — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:37 +0000

One of the speakers at the recent Water for Food Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska was climate change expert Rosina Bierbaum, a professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan.

Bierbaum has spent a good part of her career working on issues related to climate change adaptation and mitigation at the...

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Ohio well suited for national sheep sales

Dave Russell — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:27:47 +0000

Location, location, location, important when it comes to real estate and national sheep sales. Greg Deakin, with Banner Sale Management says Ohio’s location, midway between the East Coast and Western Corn belt breeders, makes it ideal for the two National sheep sales coming to the Buckeye State in May.

Audio: Greg Deakin, Banner Sale Management...

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Stabenow backs off, but egg bill fight is not over

Ken Anderson — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:58:11 +0000

Senate Ag Committee chair Debbie Stabenow has apparently backed off on plans to incorporate the so-called “egg bill” into the Senate farm bill markup.

But Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, tells Brownfield that the battle is far from over.

“Late word is the language has...

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The market potential for cage-free eggs

Ken Anderson — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:04:21 +0000

A new report on the market potential for cage-free eggs predicts accelerated growth in cage-free egg sales and profits.

The report was written by Oklahoma State University ag economics professors Dr. Jayson Lusk. It is based on Lusk’s own research and his analysis of a consumer survey on egg buying practices commissioned by a group called...

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Nebraska Farm Bureau criticizes Stabenow’s ‘egg bill’ plan

Ken Anderson — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:32:20 +0000

The president of Nebraska Farm Bureau says federal legislation dictating the size of cages for egg-laying hens—the so-called Egg Bill—“has no place in the Farm Bill”.

Steve Nelson says the fact that Senate Ag Committee chair Debbie Stabenow is reportedly proposing such a move is, in his words, “a slap in the face to American farm...

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Estimating hard red winter wheat yields this year is a challenge

Ken Anderson — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:16:25 +0000

Scouts participating in the first day of the hard red winter wheat tour in Kansas on Tuesday had their work cut out for them.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to try to estimate out here—because you just really have no clue,” says Wheat Quality Council Executive director Ben Handcock.

The wheat crop, in many areas, is suffering...

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Mounting pressure to cut crop insurance subsidies

Ken Anderson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:39:03 +0000

President Obama has proposed cuts to the federal crop insurance subsidy and there seems to be growing sentiment in Congress to do the same.

During his weekly conference call with ag reporters Tuesday, we asked Iowa Senator and Senate Ag Committee member Chuck Grassley if he thinks those efforts will be successful and where he stands on the...

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Johanns continues criticism of EPA flyovers

Ken Anderson — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:59:01 +0000

Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns has been an outspoken critic of the EPA’s use of aerial surveillance to inspect livestock facilities

Johanns resumed his criticism of the flyover program last week during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in Washington. He comments were directed at EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe.

AUDIO:...

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New website focuses on conservation efforts in Iowa

Ken Anderson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:48:10 +0000

In conjunction with Earth Day on Monday, Iowa Farm Bureau launched a new website called Conservation Counts, showing how Iowa farmers use conservation practices on their farms.

According to Farm Bureau president Craig Hill, the new website shows the progress that statewide voluntary conservation measures have brought in the last 30 years. It...

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Ethanol forum focused on RFS, new innovations

Ken Anderson — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:11:46 +0000

The Nebraska Ethanol Board held its annual Ethanol Emerging Issues Forum in Omaha last week. Prior to the start of the event, we visited with Ethanol Board administrator Todd Sneller about the challenges and opportunities currently facing the ethanol industry.

AUDIO: Todd Sneller (5:25 MP3)

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Nebraska cattlemen press EPA for answers on data release

Ken Anderson — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:57:05 +0000

Leaders of Nebraska Cattlemen were in Washington last week. One of their stops was the Environmental Protection Agency, where they pressed agency officials for answers on the release of personal data on livestock confinement operations to three environmental groups.

Earlier this year, the EPA gave out details on concentrated animal feeding...

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NCBA asking for changes in live cattle futures contract

Ken Anderson — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:55:45 +0000

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is asking the CME Group to move its live cattle futures contract to a position where it converges with the cash market.

Specifically, NCBA is asking that fed heifers be included as deliverable cattle to honor a contract. For the past decade, fed heifers have averaged 38% of slaughter cattle. NCBA says...

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USDA meteorologist discusses 2012 drought, 2013 outlook

Ken Anderson — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:10:58 +0000

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey was in Lincoln, Nebraska this week as part of the University of Nebraska’s water lecture series. The title of his presentation was “The U.S. Drought of 2012: Once-in-a-Generation Crop Calamity”. Prior to his presentation, we visited with Rippey about last year’s drought and this year’s weather...

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Iowa group questions Corps of Engineers’ dredging action

Ken Anderson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:16:30 +0000

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) has a bone to pick with the Corps of Engineers.

The issue is not a new one—it involves the latest effort by the Corps to create a better habitat for the pallid sturgeon along the Missouri River.

The policy director for ISA, Carol Balvanz, says that, in the process of creating side channels and ponds for the...

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Grassley hopes immigration bill addresses ag issues

Ken Anderson — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:47:06 +0000

The introduction of the much-anticipated immigration reform bill is expected to take place this week on Capitol Hill. In a Tuesday morning conference call with ag reporters, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley talked about what he hopes to see in the bill.

AUDIO: Chuck Grassley (2:58 MP3)

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Study finds shortfall in rail investment in rural America

Ken Anderson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:50:34 +0000

Agriculture’s dependence on a strong rail transportation system is expected to grow in the coming years. And a new report from the Soy Transportation Coalition says additional financial incentives may be needed to encourage increased investment by the railroads in rural America.

“This is not an effort to try to really enrich these large...

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