Food Police Strike Again!

Hembree Brandon from Delta Farm Press recently wrote an article about the issues with food and dietary issues in America.

We all chuckle at the Chick-fil-A TV commercials in which cows stare balefully at hamburger-consuming humans and wear crudely-lettered signs saying “Eat Mor Chikin.”

And we snicker at the anti-animal agriculture folks who lambaste cows as culprits in global warming because of the methane they produce from belching/flatulence (anywhere from 25 gallons to 50-plus gallons per cow per day they contend).

For years, they've advocated less meat in our diets (even “meatless Mondays”) and more plant-based foods, such as beans, lentils, nuts, and grains (and one wonders, doesn't this kind of diet swap animal gases for human gases?).

There’s little doubt millions of Americans, and particularly we southerners, eat too much of less-than-healthy foods — one has only to check the stats on obesity and all the ills that engenders, chief among them diabetes, which has become rampant in many areas of the country.

The alarming trend of obesity in school age kids, along with high blood pressure and pre-diabetes, has led to the banishment of snack/soft drink machines in many school systems and the USDA has decreed that schools should serve healthier, more nutritious foods in their meal programs.

Now, though, the food police are reported taking a new tack on forthcoming guidelines. A draft proposal to the USDA by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, is said to recommend diets lower in meat-based foods and higher in plant-based foods as not only better for humans — but healthier for the environment.

Wait just a minute, say ag organizations, it’s one thing to advocate for healthier diets, but adding an environmental component goes too far. A cattleman’s organization terms it “absurd,” and members of Congress from agricultural states are jumping into the fray — in the massive $1.1 trillion government spending bill approved last month, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was enjoined to include only nutrition/dietary recommendations, not “extraneous factors” in the final guidelines.

Current USDA dietary “food pyramid” guidelines — which are updated every five years — suggest that people should eat lean meats, but reports are that the advisory panel has considered whether that language should be continued. The panel’s December draft recommendations noted that a healthy diet should include fewer red meats and processed meats than currently consumed by Americans.

In its work over the past year, the panel is reported to have debated the possibility of including sustainability as a dietary goal with “lesser environmental impact.”

North American Meat Institute President and CEO Barry Carpenter, says the change, “made behind closed doors during a lunch break” isn't ‘rooted in science” and doesn't “ make good public policy.”  He terms the action “arbitrary and capricious” and says the committee “fails to recognize the nutritional value lean meat offers and is ignoring the scientific evidence supporting its inclusion in the American diet.”

Check Out the New Case IH Farmalls

Agriculture.com recently displayed the new equipment from Case IH.

"Right to Farm" Could Expand to Other States

Constitutional amendments normally go unnoticed.  And that's usually for a good reason.  Most of the time the are archaic, outdated and doesn't apply to modern times.  Politicians usually just tack things on they want to pass for lobbyist and away we go.

So when the amendment "Right to Farm" was passed in Missouri, it came as no surprise no one noticed it.  The ballot asked, "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed?"

Basically it asserted the right to farm.  Why would anyone need to have that written into the constitution?  Isn't the right to farm your own land an unalienable right?  Unfortunately, in today's age, we need to have everything spelled out for us.

The law seems reasonable enough.  Proponents of this law were reasonably concerned about what's been going on in other states.  For example, in 2008, California voters approved roomier living conditions for hens.  And in Oregon, a rural county overwhelmingly passed a ban on genetically modified crops.

Considering all the hysteria surrounding GMO's recently, it's not out of the question that similar laws like the one in Oregon couldn't be passed in other states.

Missouri isn't the first state to pass a "Right to Farm" law.  South Dakota passed a similar law two years ago.  North Dakota State University law professor David Saxwosky says he hasn't seen any resulting court cases in a recent interview with South West Farm Press.

Maybe sometime in the next decades there will be some technology that even producers will say, 'Hey, wait, are we really aren't sure if we want that within our industry.'  And at that point, this language will be tested," Saxwosky said.

Other states are looking to add similar laws like the ones in Missouri and North Dakota.  Indiana recently added right to farm legislation in the form of a law.  Oklahoma had legislation that didn't make it pass the general assembly.  Many other Midwestern states have also begun conversations about "Right to Farm".

Why the Opposition?

You would think in a state like Missouri, with nearly 100,000 farms, the "Right to Farm" would pass easily.  Actually it passed by the narrowest of margins.  So slim in fact there may be a recount.

Unofficial results showed in the 3,898 precincts, it passed with only 50.1% of the vote.  Out of the 1 million votes casted, it passed by a mere 2,528 votes.

You may be asking yourself, why would anyone oppose the right of an individual to farm?  But Missouri is the "Show Me" state.  The message became muddled.  

Those supporting the amendment were portrayed as large corporate agricultural interest that were trying to avoid regulation relating to environmental and animal welfare while opponents were painted as over-zealous environmentalist who wanted to destroy traditional farming.  The debate pitted urban interests against rural ones.  The areas of Kansas City and St. Louis largely opposing the amendment.

Essentially, politics as usual.

Where ever you stand on the issue, we might be seeing similar legislation soon in Southern states.  In states like Alabama and Georgia, the "Right to Farm" issue would seem like a softball issue.  And we all know our esteemed legislators love softball issues.

Enrollment for Dairy Risk Management Program Begins Sept. 2nd.

Starting Sept. 2, 2014, farmers can enroll in the new dairy Margin Protection Program. 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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also launched a new Web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the Margin Protection Program that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections.

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.

The 2014 Farm Bill also established the Dairy Product Donation Program. The program authorizes USDA to purchase and donate dairy products to nonprofit organizations that provide nutrition assistance to low-income families. Purchases only occur during periods of low dairy margins. Dairy operators do not need to enroll to benefit from the Dairy Product Donation Program.

Visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/factsheets, or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the Margin Protection Program or the Dairy Product Donation Program.

Crop Insurance Is A Good Investment

"We believe a lot of people are farming this year who wouldn't be without crop insurance," says Brandon Willis, administrator, USDA Risk Management Agency in a speech he gave to the Plains Cotton Growers annual meeting in Lubbock, TX.  It was covered by South West Farm Press.

Around 296 millions of acres in the US are covered by crop insurance.  It has saved many farmers from going under and many employees their jobs.

Farmers need to be aware of the new programs so they can sign up before later this year.  Farmers need to be educated on what works best for their area so they can choose the right plan for them.  Otherwise, there could be some problems.  As a matter of fact, the sign up date for Livestock producers started April 15th for disaster assistance.

In the fall, farmers need to update their production history and be ready for publications of farm program details.  By late fall they can choose between Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC).

In 2015 there will also be available a STAX program for Cotton growers and a Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO).

Beginning farmers, with less than five years in farming, can get benefits from a new program yield adjustments and a 10 percent reduction in premiums.  This will begin in 2015.

Any criticism of crop insurance is usually due to the lack of understanding how it works.  Most farmers are working today because of crop insurance.  And there are things in place to make sure farmers aren't taking advantage of it.  For example, the farmer must follow good farming practices and can't receive more than 85 percent of what they would have made without a disaster.  This makes sure farms break even and never make more than they would have normally.

It's good for consumers because it saves money.  It allows farmers to invest in new technology making them more efficient and productive.  Government likes it as well because it saves the tax payers dollars.

What Does Farmers National Company Do?

What is Farmers National Company?  Well, that's a hard thing to say.  Basically, if it has anything to do with land or minerals, Farmers National Company can help you out.  Want more info?  Just watch this video.



To find out even more go to Farmers National Company.

The Return of El Nino?

As most of you know, predicting the weather is about like throwing a dart at a board.  No one knows for sure what's going to happen.  However, it's Spring!  And us in the agriculture industry can't help but watch the sky's and the evening weather forecast.

Farmers are making the preparations.  In some places the seeds are already down and in Southern Texas, the sorghum is already knee high is some places.

Generally the forecasts are calling for a continued drought in the West and Southwest.  However, the National Weather Service, independent weather forecasters and university weather scientists are hinting at a change.  What is that change?  El Nino!  This could be very welcome news for the Southwest including an increased chance of rain in the mountains.

 Right now the National Weather Climate Prediction Center is calling for a 50-50 chance of an El Nino this year.  An El Nino is a fluctuation in the water temperatures of the tropical Pacific Ocean.  An El Nino means warmer water and an La Nina means colder water.

What Does This Mean For Farmers?

It all depends on the location of your farm or ranch, influences from water temps, wind and an ever-shifting tropical jet stream.  If there is no El Nino the Southwest could be looking at something reminiscent of the dust bowl.  However, even if El Nino is late developing that could mean a wet snowy winter which would lead into a great 2015.  

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been noticing some positive changes in the water temperatures in the Pacific.

Nothing is written in stone.  So like most folks I'm suspicious of long range weather forecasts.  But anytime there is a possibility to help us get out of this drought then I'm all for it.  Is El Nino returning?  I sure hope so.

Disaster Assistance

The 2014 Farm Bill, formerly known as the Agricultural Bill of 2014, makes the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) permanent programs and provides retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011.

LFP provides compensation to eligible producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought and fire.  LIP provides compensation to livestock producers who suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government or protected by Federal law, including wolves and avian predators.

USDA is determined to make implementing the livestock disaster programs a top priority and plans to open program enrollment by April 15th, 2014.

As USDA begins implementing the livestock disaster assistance programs, producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:

• Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and loss.
• Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts.
• Cost of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures.
• Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.
• Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records.
• Pictures of on-farm storage facilities that were destroyed by wind or flood waters.
• Evidence of damaged farmland.

Many producers still have questions.  USDA is in the process of interpreting the Farm Bill program regulations.  Additional information will be provided once enrollment period is announced.  In the meantime, producers can review the LIP and LFP fact sheet.  The USDA is working dilligently to put the Farm Bill programs into action to benefit the Farmers and Ranchers of rural America.