Farm Bill

Two Notes from USDA on Conservation Reserve Program

August 28, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

USDA has issued two recent notices on the Conservation Reserve Program.

The first is just a reminder for farmers or landowners selling acres enrolled in CRP. Essentially, if CRP acres are sold, the original CRP contract must be revised and signed by the new owner within 60 days. If the contract is terminated by the new owner, the original CRP participant will be on the hook to refund USDA some payments:

If the new landowner elects not to continue the CRP contract, the contract will be terminated. When a contract is terminated, refund of the following payments plus interest is required from the original CRP participant: all annual rental payments, all cost share payments, signup incentive payments, and practice incentive payments. Liquidated damages are also assessed.

Refunds of payments will not be required in cases where the owner’s estate or the heirs do not succeed to the contract. There are other cases that do not require the refund of payments, when a participant loses control of the land, such as eminent domain.

The other notice was that under the new Farm Bill early termination of some CRP contracts will be allowed. Early outs are available for the following contract types:

CP1-establishment of permanent grasses
CP2-establishment of permanent grasses
CP3-tree planting
CP10-grass cover already established
CP11-tree cover already established

Here’s a link to a USDA fact sheet on early CRP contract terminations under the new Farm Bill

As always, you can receive more information by contacting your local USDA Farm Services Agency office.

USDA Update on 2014 Farm Bill Implementation

August 7, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Outlined below is a list, by Farm Bill title, of the components of the recently enacted Farm Bill and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s progress in implementing the new law. This was released by USDA on August 6, 22014.

TITLE I – Commodity Programs

Agricultural Risk Coverage Program and Price Loss Coverage Program: On April 29, USDA began a competitive process to award funding for Farm Bill decision aids and outreach tools for the new Agricultural Risk Coverage Program and Price Loss Coverage Program. Awards totaling $6 million were announced in May 2014. On August 1, farmers and ranchers began receiving acreage history and yield updates to prepare them for later enrollment in these safety-net programs.

Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance: On April 14, USDA published a final rule to implement the disaster assistance provisions. Sign up for these programs began on April 15, 2014.
- As of July 31, 2014, approximately 238,000 applications have been received and $1.85 billion in payments have been disbursed through the Livestock Indemnity Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program, and Tree Assistance Program.
- On July 31, USDA extended the deadline for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program to August 15, 2014.
- On July 22, USDA announced Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) assistance for losses to bush or tree fruit crops due to frost or freeze during the 2012 crop year.
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: On June 23, USDA announced new support for beginning farmers and ranchers, including waiving fees for certain disaster assistance programs, eliminating payment reductions under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and increasing payment rates by 50 percent under Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
Dairy Forward Pricing Program: On March 21, USDA re-established the Dairy Forward Pricing Program and on March 28, extended Milk Income Loss Contracts until September 1.
Loan Rates: On June 24, USDA announced loan rates for 2014 Crop Peanuts. County and regional loan rates were announced in a press release on March 28, 2014.
Extension of Programs: On March 28, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) published in the Federal Register notices for the extension of the following programs: (1) Marketing Assistance Loans; (2) Milk Income Loss Contract; (3) Dairy Indemnity Payment Program; (4) Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program; (5) Loan Deficiency Payments; and (6) Sugar.

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OFU to Present Farm Bill Implementation Forum

July 14, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

The Ohio Farmers Union, with partners POET Biorefining, First Federal Bank and Superior Energy Solutions will present a public forum on the choices faced by farmers due to new agricultural commodity programs under the 2014 Farm Bill.

While USDA has not opened up new programs for enrollment, OFU is bringing together a panel of experts who can speak to the changes being made as farmers move away from the direct payment system and into either the Price Loss Coverage program or the Agricultural Risk Coverage program. See our news release below for more information.

The forum will be held July 25, 1 p.m. at Bowling Green State University, Bowen-Thompson Student Union in the Grand Ball Room. Moderated by OFU President Joe Logan, there will be a panel presentation and time for questions and answers from those attending. The event is free and open to the public, however, pre-registration is requested to help in planning. You may pre-register with an email or telephone call to Linda Borton at lborton@ohfarmersunion.org or 800-321-3671.

Map of Event Location

Panelists include:

Joe Shultz, Chief Economist, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
Jonathan McCracken, Legislative Agriculture Assistant, Office of Sen. Sherrod Brown
Carl Zulauf, Professor, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
Terry Cosby, State Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Tony Logan, State Director, USDA Rural Development
Steve Maurer, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency

[Read more…]

Farm Bill Signed, Sealed, Delivered … What’s in it?

February 10, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

It was a long and sometimes ridiculous process but we have a new Farm Bill. If you’re wondering where you can go to find out what’s in the new law, here’s a list of links:

There are many links and documents on the U.S. Senate Ag Committee’s Farm Bill page
If you want to keep it somewhat simple, here’s a document that is a summary of each title and major provisions prepared by Senate Ag
If you’re into all the details, here’s a link to the final bill text, which is a conference report. Conference reports are the documents that reconcile competing House and Senate versions of legislation. The conference report becomes the final bill and is voted on by both houses.
Here’s a summary of the bill prepared by the House Ag Committee
The National Farmers Union has this page devoted to the Farm Bill
The Congressional Budget Office’s score, or budgetary impact, of the bill

Farm Bill Passes Senate, Goes to President

February 5, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown

Having moved now through final passage in both houses of Congress, the latest version of a comprehensive Farm Bill goes to President Barack Obama’s desk where a signature is expected and the bill will become law.

Both Ohio Senators – Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown – voted in favor of passage. To see how Ohio members of the House voted last week, click here.

The end of a long journey is near. This latest Farm Bill’s movement through Congress began in 2012. At various times it has been held along the way by varied issues from food stamps to the dairy program. The bill will do away with most direct payments to farmers, instead relying on a revamped system of federally supported crop insurance.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman

“The Farm Bill is more than just a long-term policy on agriculture; it’s a jobs bill; it’s a food and nutrition bill; it’s an investment in rural communities, and it provides certainty for American farmers and producers,” Brown said. “For three years, I have fought for passage of a bill that balances the need for reform while making smart investments in conservation, nutrition, renewable energy, and rural development programs. This bill achieves that balance. By streamlining programs, reducing regulatory hurdles, and replacing direct farm payments with market-based supports, we now have a system that is more responsive to farmers’ needs and more responsible to taxpayers.”

“Family farmers and ranchers have always been willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that is needed to feed, fuel and clothe our nation and our world. It is only fitting that this legislation inspired Congress to do the hard work necessary to come together and pass a comprehensive, bipartisan five-year farm bill that enacts meaningful reforms and provides an effective safety net for farmers and needy Americans alike,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson.

“One of the best ways that President Obama could expand opportunities for working families, including the 16 million Americans employed in the agriculture industry, would be to sign the single piece of legislation that benefits every sector of our economy,” Johnson added.

How Your Member of Congress Voted on Farm Bill

January 30, 2014 By Ron Sylvester 1 Comment

The U.S. House voted to send its version of the Farm Bill conference report to the Senate for final action yesterday. Here’s how Ohio’s representatives voted:

Chabot, R-1, No
Wenstrup, R-2, No
Beatty, D-3, Yes
Jordan, R-4, No
Latta, R-5, Yes
Johnson, R-6, Yes
Gibbs, R-7, Yes
Boehner, R-8, House Speaker Does Not Vote
Kaptur, D-9, Yes
Turner, R-10, Yes
Fudge, D-11, Yes
Tiberi, D-12, Yes
Ryan, D-13, No
Joyce, R-14, Yes
Stivers, R-15, Yes
Renacci, R-16, Yes

Farm Bill Update: Boehner’s Issues with Dairy Program One Hurdle

January 21, 2014 By Ron Sylvester 1 Comment

According to our advocates at the National Farmers Union, Ohio’s own House Speaker John Boehner continues to be a fly in the ointment of ongoing Farm Bill conference committee negotiations.

Boehner, who as a member of the House served on the Ag Committee for several years, has described the U.S. Dairy Program as “Soviet-style,” which doesn’t leave a lot of room for compromise. His latest issue according to NFU and media sources revolves around proposed dairy price stabilization measures including dictating how much milk is produced. Supporters of greater price stabilization measures in the dairy industry say supply management is needed to forestall overproduction and price swings to the low end that would endanger the financial viability of dairy farmers. Boehner says that prices for all manner of dairy products are too high due to the Dairy Program and free market reforms are in order.

While Boehner and others propose a “burn the village to save it” mentality on dairy farming, what’s missing from their “reforms” is the very point of the Farm Bill – how do we afford some level of protection to farmers – especially independent producers – from price extremes in the market? There is U.S. commodity supply policy on other agricultural products, what makes dairy different?

NFU also reports that there could still be at least one public conference committee hearing on the Farm Bill featuring current hot button topics such as COOL. It remains important for independent, family farmers and consumers to let their members of Congress and senators know that there is strong support among their constituents for knowing the origin of their food.

While we reported in the last Ohio Country Messenger that the Farm Bill appeared to be heading toward compromise and completion, perhaps by mid-January, here we are with the Congress that can’t get things done. While most members are at home this week, leadership is expected to continue negotiations and there is a chance for a final conference report vote – and an end to the dysfunction – during the last week in January.

First Public Conference Committee Hearing Meets Oct. 30

October 24, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Ohio’s Sen. Brown, Rep. Fudge on the Committee

from the National Farmers Union:

Senate and House Agriculture Committee leaders today announced that the first public meeting for the 2013 Farm Bill conference committee will be held next week on Wednesday, October 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET in room 1100 of the Longworth House Office Building (the Ways and Means Committee Room). The agenda for the meeting of conferees will include opening statements and discussion of H.R. 2642, the House’s Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013.

[Read more…]

Presidential remark worth noting

October 20, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

In remarks about the reopening of the federal government Thursday, President Barack Obama mentioned some other national priorities caught in the morass of a dysfunctional, hyper-partisan Congress. Among them was getting the Farm Bill done:

“We should pass a farm bill, one that American farmers and ranchers can depend on; one that protects vulnerable children and adults in times of need; one that gives rural communities opportunities to grow and the long-term certainty that they deserve.

“Again, the Senate has already passed a solid bipartisan bill. It’s got support from Democrats and Republicans. It’s sitting in the House waiting for passage. If House Republicans have ideas that they think would improve the farm bill, let’s see them. Let’s negotiate. What are we waiting for? Let’s get this done.”

Full transcript of the news conference here.

NFU Outlines Its Priorities for Farm Bill Endgame

October 15, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

In a letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Committee chairpersons and ranking members, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson today outlined what the family farmer organization wants from the upcoming Farm Bill conference committee.

The Farm Bill has been stalled for over a year as part of the partisan wrangling mostly coming from so-called Tea Party Republicans in the House. Ohioan and House Speaker John Boehner has also stalled Farm Bill consideration at certain points last year and this year. There are currently House and Senate-passed Farm Bills which need to be reconciled in a conference committee. After weeks of inaction, Boehner allowed the House to form its half of the conference this past weekend.

“NFU is pleased to see the farm bill process move forward with the appointment of conferees,” said Johnson. “As you and other conferees begin formulating your positions on important farm bill conference issues, I urge you to consider the priorities of U.S. family farmers, ranchers, rural communities and hungry Americans.”

Johnson’s letter outlines several key issues for NFU and its members beginning with maintaining Farm Bill ‘permanent law.’ Dating back to requirements enacted in 1938 and 1949, the Farm Bill has had regular reviews and updates.

“Rescinding permanent law would remove the incentive to update and reauthorize the farm bill, leaving conservation, renewable energy, rural development, research, trade and other provisions without authority to continue,” said Johnson.

[Read more…]

Ohio’s Sen. Brown, Rep. Fudge on the Committee

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