(NAFB) – The comment period on proposed changes to the beef checkoff has come to a close. According to The Hagstrom Report – there is not an established time line for moving forward with the rule. The first step is to review all of the comments that have been received. Currently the Beef Promotion Operating Committee must enter into contracts with established national non-profit industry-governed organizations that were active before 1986. The date requirement would be eliminated by the proposed rule – allowing organizations that have been representing the cattle industry for at least two years to contract for the implementation of checkoff programs.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association previously stated that it supports an open and transparent checkoff program that is producer driven and this proposed rule would enhance that quest. The proposed change is also supported by National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.

(NAFB) – USDA has announced measures to better protect consumers from foodborne illness in meat and poultry products. USDA says the measures will significantly improve the ability of plants and the department to trace contaminated food materials in the supply chain, act against contaminated products sooner and establish the effectiveness of food safety systems. Ultimately – USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen says the additional safeguards will strengthen the nation’s food safety infrastructure.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service intends to implement new traceback measures in order to control pathogens earlier and prevent them from triggering foodborne illnesses and outbreaks. FSIS is also implementing three 2008 Farm Bill provisions that require establishments to prepare and maintain recall procedures, notify FSIS within 24 hours that a meat or poultry product that could harm consumers has been shipped into commerce and document each reassessment of their hazard control and critical control point system food safety plans.

(NAFB) – The Department of Labor has withdrawn the proposed rule dealing with children under the age of 16 who work in agricultural vocations. A statement released Thursday evening said the Obama Administration is committed to promoting family farmers and respecting the rural way of life. It went on to say the Administration is committed to listening and responding to what Americans across the country have to say about proposed rules and regulations. The decision was a response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms. According to the statement – this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration. Instead – USDA and the Department of Labor will work with rural stakeholders – like the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, FFA and 4-H to develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.

(NAFB) – The Senate Ag Committee has voted to approve the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 authored by Chair Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts. It will now go to the full Senate for consideration. The bill eliminates direct payments and emphasizes the need to strengthen risk management tools for farmers – saving billions of dollars. By eliminating unnecessary subsidies, consolidating programs and cracking down on food assistance abuse – the measure will reduce the deficit by 23-billion dollars.

Ahead of the Committee vote – Stabenow said she and Roberts had reformed, streamlined and consolidated to get perhaps the most significant reforms in agricultural policy of any farm bill in recent memory. Among other things – she touted strengthened crop insurance, a risk management tool to supplement crop insurance, the tightest payment limits ever, the end of direct payments ag research investments, a renewed commitment to specialty crops and organic farms and a streamlined Rural Development Title. She called the bill is a jobs bill – and expressed her commitment to getting the bill done this year.

Ranking Member Pat Roberts said he was proud of the measure. Calling it a reform bill – Roberts stressed that no other committee in Congress has voluntarily undertaken programmatic and funding reforms at this level in this budget climate. According to Roberts – the bill cuts deficit spending but still strengthens and preserves the programs that are important to agriculture and rural America.

A copy of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 – including the amendments that were accepted by the Committee – is available at www dot ag dot senate dot gov slash issues slash farm dash bill (www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill). A section-by-section summary of the bill is also available.

***Here is the short summary of the bill as provided by the office of Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow:

The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 reforms farm policy, consolidates and streamlines programs, and will reduce the deficit by $23 billion. This bill saves taxpayers money while strengthening initiatives that help farmers, ranchers and small business owners create American jobs. The bill:

Eliminates Direct Payments while Strengthening Risk Management
Farmers face unique risks unlike other businesses. Weather and market conditions outside a producer’s control can have devastating effects. A risk management system that helps producers stay in business through a few bad seasons ensures that Americans always have access to a safe and plentiful food supply. The proposal:

•           Eliminates direct payments. Farmers will no longer be paid for crops they are not growing, will not be paid for acres that are not actually planted, and will not receive support absent a drop in price or yields.

•           Consolidates two remaining farm programs into one, and will give farmers the ability to tailor risk management coverage—meaning better protection against real risks beyond a farmer’s control.

•           Strengthens crop insurance and expands access so farmers are not wiped out by a few days of bad weather.

Consolidates and Streamlines Programs
By eliminating duplicative programs, funds are concentrated in the areas in which they will have the greatest impact, making them work better for producers.

•           By ending duplication and consolidating programs, the bill eliminates dozens of programs under the Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction.

•           For example, the bill consolidates 23 existing conservation programs into 13 programs, while maintaining the existing tools farmers and landowners need to protect and conserve land, water and wildlife.

Improves Program Integrity and Accountability
At a time when many out-of-work Americans are in need for the first time in their lives, it is critical that every taxpayer dollar be spent responsibly and serves those truly struggling. By closing loopholes, tightening standards, and requiring greater transparency, the proposal increases efficiency and improves effectiveness.

•         Increases accountability in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by:

•         Stopping lottery winners from continuing to receive assistance.

•         Ending misuse by college students.

•         Cracking down on retailers and recipients engaged in benefit trafficking.

•         Increasing requirements to prevent liquor and tobacco stores from becoming retailers.

•         Eliminating gaps in standards that result in overpayment of benefits.

•         The proposal maintains benefits for families in need.

Grows America’s Agricultural Economy
The proposal increases efficiency and accountability, saving tens of billions of dollars overall, while strengthening agricultural jobs initiatives by:

•           Expanding export opportunities and helping farmers develop new markets for their goods.

•           Investing in research to help commercialize new agricultural innovations.

•           Growing bio-based manufacturing (businesses producing goods in America from raw agricultural products grown in America) by allowing bio-manufacturers to participate in existing U.S. Department of Agriculture loan programs, expanding the BioPreferred labeling initiative, and strengthening a procurement preference so the U.S. government will select bio-based products when purchasing needed goods.

•           Spurring advancements in bio-energy production, supporting advanced biomass energy production such as cellulosic ethanol and pellets from woody biomass for power.

•           Helping family farmers sell locally by increasing support for farmers’ markets and spurring the creation of food hubs to connect farmers to schools and other community-based consumers.

•           Extending rural development initiatives to help rural communities upgrade infrastructure and create an environment for small businesses to grow.

(NAFB) – Speaking to members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. this week – House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas expressed complete confidence that Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow would move heaven and earth to get her work on the farm bill done in the Senate. On Thursday – her committee advanced their version of the farm bill. Lucas called it an important first step in the development of the next farm bill – adding that he looks forward to concluding the House Ag Committee’s hearing process and working with Ranking Member Collin Peterson and committee members to write the House bill in the coming weeks.

Lucas has been watching the Senate’s farm bill work closely and has his thoughts on what the final measure must include. Lucas says a federal comprehensive farm bill – in the Commodity Title – must address all regions and all crops. He says everyone should be able to participate. Lucas is disappointed that the Senate bill’s commodity title does not work for all of agriculture. Instead of providing a viable safety net – he says the bill locks in profit for a couple of commodities. The chief priority for Lucas is making certain the commodity title is equitable and provides a safety net for all covered commodities and all regions of the country. He says a shallow loss program is not a safety net. He says it doesn’t provide protection against price declines over multiple years and does not work for all commodities.

(NAFB) – Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee Collin Peterson says the Senate Ag Committee’s approval of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 brings us one step closer to having a farm bill in place before the current one expires in September. He says Chair Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts found a bipartisan way to move forward and the full Senate should now take action. He added the House Ag Committee should now move quickly to mark-up a farm bill.

The bipartisan tone set by the Senate mark-up gives Peterson more confidence that a farm bill can be completed this year. While he’s sure there will be differences between the House and Senate bills – Peterson expressed confidence that the differences could be worked out in conference committee.

(NAFB) – In order to avoid further disruption to an emerging American industry that’s creating jobs and diversifying the nation’s energy supplies – the National Biodiesel Board is calling on Congress to reinstate the biodiesel tax incentive. NBB Vice President Anne Steckel – in written testimony submitted to a House Ways and Means Subcommittee – emphasized that the biodiesel industry achieved record production of nearly 1.1-billion gallons last year before the per-gallon tax incentive expired on December 31st. To prevent a drop in production and potential layoffs – she urged lawmakers to pass an extension of the incentive as quickly as possible.

According to Steckel – new energy industries need support in the early stages. She says every energy sector up to now has had that support – and if the U.S. wants to diversify its energy supplies and gain the resulting benefits in terms of jobs, energy security and the environment – investments need to continue.

(NAFB) – Testifying in Washington, D.C. this week – MF Global trustee James Giddens said investigators have tracked down the 1.6-billion dollars in customer funds that disappeared after the firms collapse. Giddens said the analysis of what happened and where the money went has substantially concluded. Now the more complex phase – according to Giddens – is getting it back. He says the company is aggressively pursuing the recovery of the funds – and will continue to pursue that with a goal of getting back as much of the property as possible.

Based on his planned testimony for the U.S. Senate Banking Committee – Giddens also supports civil fines for executives when their commodities brokerages lose customer money. His testimony stated that where there is a shortfall in customer funds – Congress should consider making the officers and directors of the company accountable and personally and civilly liable for their certifications. Giddens recently said he may bring civil lawsuits against MF Global executives for breach of fiduciary duty and other alleged violations.

(NAFB) – April is Soyfoods Month and U.S. soybean farmers are highlighting the benefits of soy products and their availability in products that may not come to mind. Shoppers can find many soy-based choices in grocery store aisles. United Soybean Board and soy checkoff Vice Chair Jim Stillman says he uses soy flour and soy oil when baking cookies or brownies. And soy has its health benefits. The Food and Drug Administration approved a claim that says 25 grams of soy protein a day – as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol – may reduce the risk of heart disease. Stillman says soy products provide a variety of choices to reach that goal – including milk, flour and tofu.

(NAFB) – This (Wednesday) morning’s farm bill mark-up has been postponed. According to Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow – the committee has made significant progress and has bipartisan agreement on the bulk of the Farm Bill. She says they are committed to continuing to work together in a bipartisan way to come to agreement on a few outstanding issues. Noting that the bill impacts 16-million jobs and a huge sector of America’s economy – Stabenow said it is important to move prudently to create the best possible product. A new date and time for the rescheduled hearing was not announced Tuesday night.
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“Groups Ask Senate Ag Leaders to Delay Markup”

(NAFB) – While some groups have urged the Senate Ag Committee to move quickly on the 2012 Farm Bill – others were asking them to postpone the markup that was scheduled to begin today (Wednesday). A coalition of farm groups asked Chairman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts to hold off until at least after the recess that begins Friday. According to a letter signed by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the Western Peanut Growers Association, the National Cotton Council, National Sorghum Producers, U.S. Rice Producers Association, USA Rice Federation and the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association – the mark raises serious equity issues and grave concerns over planting distortions. They would like more time to consider the bill.