READ the NAFB's National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for May 21st

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“Online Petition Urges Domino’s Pizza to Change Mind”

As the American Farm Bureau Federation was having an Ag Pizza Party – encouraging folks to thank Domino’s Pizza for relying on animal experts to determine the best way to raise farm animals – a customer petition on change dot org collected more than 115-thousand signatures from people in all 50 states asking the chain to stop purchasing pork from suppliers using gestation crates. Feedstuffs reports that a long-time Domino’s customer from Texas decided to launch the petition campaign after seeing undercover video footage of gestation crates from the Humane Society of the United States. While positioned as a meat eater and non-animal rights activist in the online petition – Feedstuffs writes that online searches show the customer is an HSUS supporter.

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“Commodity Programs and Crop Insurance Focus of Two-Day Hearing”

According to Texas Representative Mike Conaway – Chairman of the House Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management – the Senate Ag Committee’s version of the farm bill just won’t cut it for folks across all regions. He says it isn’t equitable or fair to crops and commodities across the country – criteria set by House Ag Chair Frank Lucas. According to Conaway – the Senate bill actually creates a new program that is so lopsided it locks in profits for some while denying any safety net at all to others. Conaway also questions whether the Senate bill provides the protection needed if prices collapse.

Conaway led a hearing focused on commodity programs and crop insurance Wednesday and Thurdsay. The two-day hearing was part of the series of House Ag hearings on agricultural policy in advance of the writing of the farm bill. Four panels of witnesses – including economists and leaders from various commodity and ag groups – described how programs are working under current law and how reforms can be made. They stressed the need for a fair and effective safety net and a strong crop insurance program.

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“Energy Programs Part of the Focus of Ag Subcommittee Hearing”

The House Ag Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry wrapped up the DC farm bill hearing series Friday. The hearing focused on the Energy Title – first included in the 2002 Farm Bill and the Forestry Title – which has been part of farm bills since 1990. The energy programs in Title IX were designed to promote a transition from corn-based ethanol to other advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol. The most prominent programs in the energy title are the Biomass Crop Assistance Program and the Rural Energy for America program – but there is no budget baseline for these programs beyond the conclusion of the existing Farm Bill. Chairman Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania says Friday’s panels provided subcommittee members with critical details on how current farm policy is performing, what areas need improvement and what recommendations will serve to create a stronger and more efficient law. He says the aim is to craft a measure that helps the nation meet rising energy demand.
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“Ag Energy Coalition Heard at Subcommittee Hearing”

A coalition of organizations supported the testimony presented at the House Ag Energy Subcommittee farm bill hearing by Agriculture Energy Coalition Co-Director Ryan Stroschein Friday. His testimony urged Congress to ensure robust funding for the 2012 Farm Bill Energy Title. Stroschein noted that rural America has been at the epicenter of the nation’s emerging renewable energy and bioproducts industries – and farmers, ranchers, small businesses and rural economies have started realizing the benefits.

National Farmers Union was among the groups supporting Stroschein’s testimony. NFU President Roger Johnson says the energy title is critical not only because of its investment in rural America – but also because it’s leading to the commercialization of second generation renewable fuels. By producing renewable fuels here in the U.S. – Johnson says we can become more energy secure while preserving our natural resources.

According to USDA – the Rural Energy for America – or REAP – program is estimated to have saved or created 15-thousand jobs between 2009 and 2011.

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“NBB Chair Focuses on Farm Bill Programs for Biodiesel”

Testifying before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy Friday – National Biodiesel Board Chairman Gary Haer talked about the benefits biodiesel production brings to rural economies across the country. He urged lawmakers to continue to fund programs like the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels in the 2012 Farm Bill. According to Haer – these programs are critical to raising awareness of biodiesel and stimulating new production – and they are succeeding – as the industry produced a record of nearly 1.1-billion gallons of fuel last year. Haer added that biodiesel is part of the all-of-the-above strategy outlined by many energy leaders across the country. Recent oil spikes – he said – should remind us why that’s important. He said having domestic alternatives to oil can reduce the influence global forces like OPEC have over our economy.

Haer also pointed out that more than half of the lawmakers on the subcommittee have at least one biodiesel production plant in their district. Those plants and others like them across the country – NBB estimates – supported more than 39-thousand jobs in all sectors of the U.S. economy in 2011. Haer said most of the more than 200 biodiesel production facilities in the U.S. are located in rural areas – and a majority of the feedstock used to produce biodiesel is grown or originates in rural areas.

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“NACD Board Member Testifies to Importance of Forestry Programs”

National Association of Conservation Districts Board Member Charles Holmes testified Friday that NACD supports the framework of the 2012 Farm Bill designed by the Senate Ag Committee – and specifically the Forestry Title. Holmes says the Forestry Title helps provide resources to landowners who are looking to protect and conserve wooded and forest land on their property. Conservation Districts and private landowners – Holmes continued – have been directly involved in a number of Forestry Title programs – including the Forest Stewardship Program and the Forest Legacy Program.

The Forest Stewardship Program – according to Holmes – has produced over 270-thousand resource management plans for more than 31-million acres of private forest land. He’s seen the direct benefit of the program on his own land in Alabama – where his work with longleaf pine restoration has been – in part – a product of the program. He has restored more than 700 acres of longleaf pine in an effort to restore native forests to the southeastern U.S.

Holmes says the Forest Legacy Program has been an important part of Conservation Districts work since its creation. He says the program has allowed landowners to protect environmentally important forest areas from expansion. Holmes said a program cap of 200-million dollars annually – included in the 2012 Farm Bill framework now – should not have a negative impact on successfully carrying out responsible conservation.

Holmes told the Energy Subcommittee that forestry programs have a track record of success. He said every dollar spent has seen a return. Because of the 2008 Farm Bill – he said we are better prepared to meet future resource needs. He said we must continue to fund these programs in the next farm bill – calling the Forestry Title critical to ensuring the health and sustainability of our forests for generations to come.

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“NFU Sees Need for Continued Climate Change Adaptation”

National Farmers Union has submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Draft National Water 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change. NFU President Roger Johnson says climate change adaption is critical for the continued productivity of the agriculture sector – specifically as it relates to water quality and quantity. Given the proper incentives – he says family farmers and ranchers will be valuable partners in addressing the challenges that result from a changing climate. Historically – Johnson says family farmers and ranchers have been the nation’s best soil and water conservationists when given the economic incentives and flexibility to do so.

NFU agrees with the Draft 2012 Strategy assessment that agriculture, ranching and natural lands will likely face further pressure from a limited water supply as temperatures rise. NFU encourages EPA to seek market-based solutions to enhance climate adaptation strategies and to coordinate efforts with federal partners to address issues like risk management, nonpoint source pollution and water management.

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“Global Food Alliance Announced”

President Obama has announced a new G8 alliance for global food security and nutrition. It involves major private sector companies and governments around the globe assisting small-scale African farmers improve their products and outcomes. The endeavor – which involves 45 companies making a commitment to spend more than three-billion dollars – is an expansion of an effort launched in 2009. Since that time – U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah says agricultural productivity growth in target countries has been eight times that of the global average. He says the additional agricultural product has protected millions of people from needing food aid during times of emergency crisis.

Shah says the new goal is to extend current governmental commitments and include the private sector in tackling problems in ways the government cannot. Some examples include Pepsi helping farmers plant chick peas to be used for commercial purposes and World Food Program feeding initiatives and a Norwegian company building the first major fertilizer production company in Africa.

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“Consumers Can Celebrate this Dairy Month”

June is Dairy Month and University of Illinois Animal Sciences Professor Emeritus Mike Hutjens says consumers have reason to celebrate. Hutjens says dairy product prices have dropped in many markets as the price paid dairy farmers has dropped 20-percent at the farm gate. Dairy farmers currently receive 15 to 17-dollars per 100 pounds – while the cost to produce milk ranges from 16 to 18-dollars. U.S. dairy cows averaged 21,345 pounds of milk per cow in 2011. Continued improvements in efficiency in the dairy industry – Hutjens says – reflect higher milk yield per cow. That results in lower-priced milk and dairy products for consumers. In fact – in selected markets – he says milk is available for $2.50 per gallon.

In 2010 – the average U.S. consumer consumed 23.5-pounds of low-fat milk, 45.9-pounds of whole milk, 60.3-pounds of reduced fat milk, 26.8-pounds of fat-free milk and 13.7-pounds of flavored milk. Hutjens says they also ate 33.9-pounds of cheese, 11.8-pounds of ice cream and 5.1-pounds of butter. Consumption of flavored milk increased 13.5-percent over 2009 in 2010 and yogurt consumption increased 8.3-percent. Frozen yogurt purchases also increased – by 7.1-percent. According to Hutjens – the trends reflect the consumer’s desire for lower-calorie products. With a wide variety of dairy products available – he says consumers can pick their favorite product based on fat content, calorie content, flavor, taste, cost and food recipe alternatives.

SOURCE: NAFB News Service