National Farmers Union

NFU Says Dept. of Justices Ignores Anti-Trust Laws in O.K. of Tyson-Hillshire Merger

August 28, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the Naitonal Farmers Union:

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the Department of Justice has approved the Tyson-Hillshire merger:

“Anti-trust laws were put on the books to keep powerful industries – like the meat industry – from being overly consolidated. Yet nearly every merger request they file is approved by the Department of Justice. As a result, the meat industry grows more powerful by the day and the family farmer continues to get squeezed.

“This is because farmers are price takers not price makers, and when the number of buyers is decreased, the sales options left to farmers and ranchers are fewer and fewer and the ability of the buyers to dictate prices to producers continues to increase. The top four meat packers already control 80 percent of the market and now that number has just gone up.

“Once again, the Department of Justice has turned its back on family farmers.”

Margin Protection Program Replaces MILC – Enrollment Begins Sept. 2

August 28, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

USDA has announced that enrollment for the new dairy program – the Margin Protection Program – will begin on September 2.

MPP replaces Milk Income Loss Contracts.

The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson commended USDA on their timely rollout of the dairy Margin Protection Program and for including provisions that will help America’s family farmers with their risk management needs.

“America’s family-run dairy farms are in great need for these kind of risk management tools to help them manage risk that is beyond their control,” said Johnson.

“The family farmer provision, included as part of the program, will allow many of this nation’s family-operated dairy farms to breathe a sigh of relief now that they have adequate risk management tools in hand. It is unfortunate that the Congress did not include a dairy stabilization program that would have helped take the volatility out of milk prices,” Johnson added.

USDA also announced the Dairy Product Donation Program (DPDP), which will donate dairy products to low-income people, including food banks, state and local agencies and advocacy organizations.

Dairy farmers should also be aware of an online tool USDA has created to help them determine their level of coverage under MPP. Follow this link to use the tool.

The Margin Protection Program, which replaces the Milk Income Loss Contract program, gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment begins Sept. 2 and ends on Nov. 28, 2014, for 2014 and 2015. Participating farmers must remain in the program through 2018 and pay a minimum $100 administrative fee each year. Producers have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year.

Dairy operations enrolling in the new program must comply with conservation compliance provisions and cannot participate in the Livestock Gross Margin dairy insurance program. Farmers already participating in the Livestock Gross Margin program may register for the Margin Protection Program, but the new margin program will only begin once their Livestock Gross Margin coverage has ended.

Call or visit your local USDA Farm Services Agency office to learn more or to enroll in MPP. You can also view or download the USDA’s fact sheet on MPP here.

Job Posting: NFU in Washington, D.C. Looking for Govt. Relations Representative

August 7, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

If you know someone with a background in agriculture, politics and a keen interest in advocating on behalf of family farmers, ranchers and fishers around the country – and they would be interested in working for the National Farmers Union – have them take a look at the link below:

Job Posting: NFU Government Affairs Representative

Federal Appeals Court Cool with COOL

March 31, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Two Federal Courts Have Now Swatted Down Big Biz Attempts to Thwart COOL

In another victory for independent and family U.S. livestock farmers, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has rejected an appeal from an earlier district court ruling against plaintiffs in a suit to suspend Country of Origin Labeling regulations while the plaintiff’s larger suit against COOL moves through the judicial system.

Last Friday’s decision is the latest setback for plaintiffs who filed the case in an effort to have the revised COOL regulations invalidated. The case was filed on July 8, 2013, by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Meat Institute, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canadian Pork Council, North American Meat Association, American Association of Meat Processors, National Pork Producers Council, Southwest Meat Association and Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations.

While that larger case is being adjudicated, plaintiffs have sought an injunction which would have prevented existing COOL regulations from remaining in effect. For now, COOL stands.

The National Farmers Union, together with the United States Cattlemen’s Association, the American Sheep Industry Association and the Consumer Federation of America, intervened to defend the COOL regulations from challenge, and they actively participated in a briefing at the District Court and the Court of Appeals, as well as the preliminary injunction hearing at the District Court.

“I am extremely pleased with today’s decision,” said Roger Johnson, NFU president. “Yet again, claims that the revised COOL regulations are unconstitutional or inconsistent with the COOL statute have been rejected in federal court.”

“Today’s decision notes that COOL advances legitimate values, including consumer information and consumer choice. The Court of Appeals also explained that COOL labels can be seen as a sign that retailers ‘take pride in identifying the source of their products.’ NFU’s family farmer- and rancher-members certainly take pride in the products they produce, and I am glad that consumers will be able to continue to identify their products at retail as a result of today’s decision.”

Johnson is currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the World Farmers Organization’s fourth general assembly, where many of the speakers have discussed the need for farmers to connect more directly with consumers and be more transparent to enhance consumer confidence.

Johnson said NFU will remain engaged with its allies in the courtroom battles over COOL on behalf family farmers and consumers.

Comments from Public Needed on EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal

January 21, 2014 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Proposed reduction in renewable fuel blended into gasoline will hurt farmers

The National Farmers Union and Fuels America are working to ensure farmers and those concerned with cleaner burning U.S. produced fuel get their say in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s public comment period on the proposed rule for 2014 which would reduce the amount of renewable fuel blended into our nation’s gasoline supply.

Here’s what the two groups suggest you can do to help show the Obama Administration that there are interests out there other than Big Oil:

Write and submit comments to EPA on the following link:

http://www.fuelsamerica.org/page/s/take-a-stand-for-lower-gas-prices

NFU is a member of Fuels America, a coalition committed to protecting the RFS. By submitting comments through the Fuels America website, the coalition will be able to amplify your messages through social media channels. It is also helpful so that we know who has submitted comments.

The official notice in the Federal Register can be found here:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-11-29/pdf/2013-28155.pdf

Here are some talking points you may want to use in your comments:

The Proposed Lower 2014 RFS Targets:

Hurt rural economies
USDA is expecting a record corn crop (slightly above 14 billion bushels)
EPA’s proposal would reduce demand for corn and hurt farm income/the rural economy
Devastates the advanced biofuels industry
Investors are spooked by this reversal in policy and will likely take their investment dollars elsewhere. This will hurt the advanced biofuels sector
Embraces fictitious “blend wall”
The oil industry claims that it cannot blend more ethanol into the nation’s fuel supply. The reason isn’t that they can’t, it’s that they won’t
Contradicts President Obama’s climate initiative
The proposal goes against Obama’s climate initiative. According to a recent study by Argonne National Laboratory, corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30 percent compared with conventional gasoline

For more information, contact Jan Ahlen at jahlen@nfudc.org.

NFU Accepting Applications for 2014 Beginning Farmer Institute

December 18, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

National Farmers Union is now accepting applications for its 2014 Beginning Farmers Institute (BFI) program. The annual program, now accepting its fourth class of students, is open to individuals who are new to farming, are in the process of transferring an operation from a relative or non-relative to themselves, or are contemplating a career in farming or ranching.

“The Beginning Farmers Institute underscores NFU’s commitment to growing a new generation of family agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “One unique feature of the Institute is that participants direct the agenda, allowing them to gain information on topics that will be most relevant to their particular operations. The small size and diversity of the group also ensures valuable interaction and learning opportunities among the participants.”

[Read more…]

Farmers Union supports raising fuel storage level permit requirements

March 10, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

National Farmers Union sent a letter today commending Sens. Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Roberts, R-Kan., and Reps. Neugebauer, R-Texas, and Peterson, D-Minn., for their bicameral legislation that would increase the allowable exemption for transporting fuel to 1,000 gallons.

“National Farmers Union delegates recently adopted policy during the organization’s annual convention in Springfield, Mass., that supports raising the current full HAZMAT protocol requirements threshold for portable fuel to 1,000 gallons,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This is a perfect example of NFU’s grassroots membership engagement levels on today’s issues.”

Current law requires agriculture producers to obtain a permit for transporting diesel fuel in excess of 119 gallons.

“This law is overly burdensome to our producers, and only increases costs and red tape,” Johnson said. “NFU supports common sense environmental and agriculture policy that balances environmental stewardship without placing extra costs on producers.”

Click here and here to view the letter.

NFU Delegates Adopt 2013 Policy Document

March 5, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 111th Anniversary Convention adjourned Tuesday afternoon in Springfield, Mass. The four-day event concluded with the delegates considering and adopting the organization’s policy for the next year.

“Farmers Union is truly a grassroots organization, and our policy adoption process is an example of the value of Americans’ right to free speech,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The policy adopted by the delegates today is what will guide the advocacy work of our organization for the next year.”

Just as we do in Ohio at OFU’s annual convention, NFU also adopted several special orders of business which are topical, “of the moment” policy concerns. They include:

“The voices of family farmers, ranchers and fishermen and women have been heard,” said Johnson. “NFU will continue to work on behalf of the providers of our nation’s feed, fuel, food and fiber. As we head back to Washington, D.C., we have a very clear message to relay to Congress: a five-year farm bill must be completed as soon as possible to provide certainty and protection against multi-year price collapse.”

Delegates adopted policy favoring comprehensive reform of immigration laws in relation to agricultural workers. Existing NFU policy that supports conservation compliance requirements for federal crop insurance premium subsidy eligibility was reaffirmed. The body renewed its support for affordable healthcare, with an emphasis on disease prevention and access to nutritionally sound foods. Policy was put in place to address the challenges that small boat fishermen and women face.

Click here to read or download the entire 2013 NFU Policy document.

Mel Borton honored at National Farmers Union Convention

March 4, 2013 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

L-R: John Hansen, president, NE Farmers Union; Roger Johnson, president, NFU; Mel Borton; Roger Wise, president, OFU. Photo Courtesy of NFU.

During National Farmers Union’s 111^th Anniversary Convention, Mel Borton was presented with the organization’s Award for Meritorious Service to Farmers Union and American Agriculture.

Meritorious Service Awards honor those who have made particularly noteworthy contributions to agriculture, humanity and Farmers Union. This honor is the highest award the NFU Board of Directors can bestow upon an individual.

“Mel Borton has dedicated six decades of his life to Farmers Union,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “His passion for the organization has made him a true leader in membership growth and advocacy for U.S. family farmers, and for that we are grateful.”

Borton was born and raised on a farm in northwestern Ohio. He started farming on his own in 1948 as a sharecropper and joined Ohio Farmers Union that same year. He has held several leadership roles in Farmers Union and on other national committees. Today he continues to lobby on the state and national level on behalf of family farmers.

Before receiving his award, a video of congratulations from Ohio Farmers Union President Roger Wise was played for Borton and convention delegates and attendees.

“Mel has been an integral part of Ohio Farmers Union and National Farmers for many years,” Wise said. “When I was a young man and my Dad was on the OFU Executive Committee, Mel was one of the first people I met. He has been an important part of our organization nationally and in Ohio – he’s always advocating for family farmers.”

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Two Federal Courts Have Now Swatted Down Big Biz Attempts to Thwart COOL

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