Ohio Editors Note: This release is from National Farmers Union. Just last week at an annual Ohio agricultural outlook event in Columbus, ag economists noted that farm income in Ohio is down 40 percent since 2012 and predicted sub $4 corn for the immediate future. (Roughly half the price from six years ago.) ARC and PLC, mentioned below, are the primary farm safety net programs currently used by Ohio farmers to help manage the unique risks inherent in farming.

The bill before the U.S. House of Representatives passed Thursday afternoon. A separate bill is pending in the U.S. Senate.

Congressional Tax Plans Jeopardize the Farm Safety Net, CBO Analysis Says
 
WASHINGTON – Amidst the steepest drop in farm profitability in a generation, U.S. Congressional leadership is proposing tax reform legislation that would jeopardize all funding for farm bill commodity safety net programs.
 
The two tax bills being considered in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives would add $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit. According to new Congressional Budget Office analysis of the bills, that $1.5 trillion deficit increase would need to be offset by eliminating all funding for vital farm programs such as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), among other mandatory federal spending programs.
 
“If Congress passes legislation that increases the deficit, they will subsequently be forced to cut federal spending. In the case of the tax bill, current law could require 100 percent sequestration of all commodity program payments and other farm bill programs,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson. “Tax cuts for the highest income brackets should absolutely not come at the expense of programs that protect our nation’s family farmers and ranchers.”
 
The House and Senate budget resolution that was passed earlier this year paves the way for tax cuts that would increase the U.S. federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over ten years. Statutory pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules require that increases in deficit spending be offset by reduced spending across non-exempt mandatory programs. The government would be required to cut such programs by $150 billion per year in accordance with PAYGO.
 
The total available pool of funding across all non-exempt mandatory programs amounts to, in CBO’s estimation, “only between $85 billion to $90 billion,” meaning that all impacted mandatory spending programs other than Medicare, including the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), would be entirely stripped of funding.
 
The CCC is the second largest non-exempt mandatory program, after Medicare. It funds dairy and other farm program payments, including ARC and PLC, both of which are critical for keeping family farmers and ranchers in business during times of economic uncertainty. Discretionary spending and a number of mandatory programs, including Social Security, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal crop insurance, and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), are exempt from PAYGO.
 
“Farmers Union has long opposed using budget sequestration to reduce the federal deficit, especially through cuts to agricultural programs,” added Johnson. “This proposal asks farmers and ranchers to trade any possible tax benefits for the elimination of farm safety net payments, like ARC and PLC. That would be a disastrous trade. NFU continues to advocate for a simplified, progressive tax code that does not risk programs vital to the livelihoods and well-being of American family farmers and ranchers.”

Ohio and National Farmers Union joined a coalition of 82 farm, rural and consumers groups today in sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to implement the Farmer Fair Practices Rules via executive order. The rules would provide the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers who are enduring unfair and abusive practices as a result of extremely consolidated agricultural marketplaces.

Massive consolidation in the meatpacking industry over the past forty years placed just four companies in control of 85 percent of the beef market, 74 percent of the pork market and more than half of the poultry market. In that time, 90 percent of hog farmers and 41 percent of cattle producers have gone out of business, and 71 percent of poultry growers now live below the federal poverty level.

“Family farmers and ranchers, simply put, have virtually no market power any more,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Multinational and foreign meatpackers control our market prices and are dictating much of what happens on our farms and ranches. We’re urging the President to take the first step in addressing the most abusive and unfair practices that happen as a result of our highly concentrated markets. He can do that by implementing the Farmer Fair Practices Rules.”

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) withdrew two of the three Farmer Fair Practices rules, effectively siding with multinational meatpackers in their market dominance over family farmers. In their request to President Trump, the farm groups offered the administration an avenue to reverse this action.

“You, Mr. President, have the opportunity to make the difference in the future of rural America and preserve America’s family farmers and ranchers,” the groups wrote.

The Farmer Fair Practices Rules are a necessary clarification of the Packers and Stockyards Act, which was passed to ensure competition and integrity in livestock and poultry markets. The rules were first proposed in 2016, but they are the product of law written into the 2008 Farm Bill, hundreds of field hearings conducted by the USDA, and six years of rulemaking.

The groups contend in their letter to the President that the USDA erred in its assertion that the purpose of the Packers and Stockyards Act does not include protecting individual farmers from unfair, predatory and retaliatory practices. “The original intent of the P&S Act of 1921 was to protect individual producers against the heavy hand of large corporations,” they wrote.

The groups also note that the USDA decision ignores all previous administrations’ interpretation of the intent and purpose of P&S Act and that it releases “the abusive market power of foreign corporations and foreign countries onto family farmers and consumers alike.”

“We call on you, by executive order, to do what others have failed to do and are unwilling to do: return justice to the marketplace,” the groups wrote to Trump. “We remain hopeful you and your administration can take these rules across the finish line on behalf of America’s family farmers, our rural communities and consumers.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it would be terminating the Farmer Fair Practices Rule on Competitive Injury, a rule that would have provided the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers as they endure increasingly concentrated markets and unfair treatment from multinational meatpackers.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

“It is deeply disappointing that USDA did not side with family farmers in the long-contested debate over rules for the Packers and Stockyards Act. The Farmer Fair Practices Rules offered a basic, yet important first step to addressing the unfair practice that family farmers and ranchers face in the extremely consolidated meatpacking industries.

“The withdrawal of the competitive injury rule is unjustified, given the long-held, plain language interpretation by the Department that growers do not need to prove harm to the entire industry when seeking relief from poultry companies for unfair contract practices. It is particularly egregious given the abuses that poultry growers face in the vertically integrated marketplace.

“With this decision, USDA has given the green light to the few multinational meatpackers that dominate the market to discriminate against family farmers. As the administration has signaled its intent to side with the meat and poultry giants, NFU will pursue congressional action that addresses competition issues and protects family farmers and ranchers.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced this week, lower proposed obligations for renewable fuel usage under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the nation’s preeminent policy for encouraging the production and development of American grown and produced transportation fuels. The agency’s proposal would reduce obligations in 2018 for total renewable fuel volumes, biomass-based diesel, and advanced biofuel if finalized.

In response to the announcement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:

“This proposal undermines the intent of the RFS law, which is to expand markets for American produced renewable fuels. We need to be increasing our use of higher blends of renewable fuels like E30 and advanced biofuels, not reducing the renewable energy footprint on our nation’s transportation sector.

“The success of the homegrown, renewable energy sector is vital to family farmers and rural America, who benefit greatly from the expanded markets, investment, and high-paying jobs brought to their communities for renewable energy development. If this proposal is ultimately implemented, it would be a direct repudiation of President Trump’s promises to support the RFS and continued renewable energy development. This is especially troubling amidst the deeply depressed farm economy we are facing today.

“NFU looks forward to offering further comment on the proposal to ensure the RFS continues to be the economic and environmental success story it has been for family farmers, consumers and rural communities.”

National Farmers Union and Collette Have Teamed Up to Save You $ On Travel

Your Ohio Farmers Union membership grants you membership to National Farmers Union, and NFU continues to add great member benefits!

Collette has been showing the world to people just like you for nearly 100 years. As a third generation, family-owned company, sharing the wonder of travel is our passion. In addition to visiting iconic must-see sites around the globe, Collette’s 160 tours take travelers off the beaten path to really appreciate each destination. A partnership between the National Farmers Union and Collette opens up exclusive offers and member benefits to make your travel dreams come true!

OFU-NFU members: Save up to $500 per person on a Collette tour plus an additional $50-$100 with NFU member benefits.

Learn More About Collette:

OFU wants bi-partisan ACA fix that stabilizes marketplaces, protects rural hospitals

COLUMBUS – As the U.S. Senate begins the final week before the deadline to vote on the Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, the Ohio Farmers Union has joined its national organization in urging a ‘no’ vote on the measure.

Graham-Cassidy would repeal much of the Affordable Care Act – so-called Obamacare – and replace it with a system of block grants to states and language that many say would weaken current law regarding pre-existing conditions and the basic content of health insurance policies.

“Many family farmers in Ohio buy their own health insurance. Before ACA, that meant high premiums, high deductibles and many times very little coverage,” said OFU President Joe Logan.

“While not perfect by any stretch, Obamacare has in fact led to overall better coverage and more lives insured in Ohio.”

“Congress needs to get about the hard work of fixing the healthcare marketplaces and ensuring we don’t backslide on critical issues like protecting those with pre-existing conditions and securing the Medicaid expansion,” Logan said.

The National Farmers Union has deemed any final vote by the Senate on passage of Graham-Cassidy as one that will be scored on the organization’s legislative scorecard.  NFU is also advocating this latest ACA repeal be rejected.

NFU has sent a letter to all members of the Senate on the bill.

[Read more…]

Ohio Farmers Union Event to Hear from Farmers, Provide Farm Bill Briefing

 COLUMBUS – As Congressional committees begin prepping for the 2018 Farm Bill, the Ohio Farmers Union will hold a listening session and briefing in Wilmington on September 18.

The event will be held at the Moyer Community Room, Wilmington Municipal Building, 69 N South St, Wilmington, OH 45177. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is expected to last two hours.  The event is open to the public but will he geared to farmers. Light refreshments will be provided by the Clinton County Farmers Union.

“It’s essential that despite the current dysfunction in Washington, Congress crafts a reasonable, responsible Farm Bill that provides a strong safety net,” said OFU President Joe Logan.

Logan said that the National Farmers Union is working with state organizations around the country to hold regional listening sessions where family farmers may come and share thoughts on what’s working and not working with current Farm Bill programs like Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC).

[Read more…]

Ohio Farmers Union Event to Hear from Farmers, Provide Farm Bill Brief

As Congressional committees begin prepping for the 2018 Farm Bill, the Ohio Farmers Union and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will hold a listening session and briefing in Fremont on August 29.

The event will be held at Terra State Community College, 2830 Napoleon Rd., Fremont, OH 43420. It will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and attendees will be provided lunch. The event is open to the public but will he geared to farmers. Those who will be attending are asked to RSVP by calling OFU’s state office at 800-321-3671.

“Commodity prices have plummeted over the past four years and forecasts indicate this is a trend that will last into the foreseeable future,” said OFU President Joe Logan.

“It’s essential that despite the current dysfunction in Washington, Congress crafts a reasonable, responsible Farm Bill that provides a strong safety net.”

Logan said that the National Farmers Union is working with state organizations around the country to hold regional listening sessions where family farmers may come and share thoughts on what’s working and not working with current Farm Bill programs like Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC).

[Read more…]