House Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill
The House Agriculture Committee Thursday night passed its version of the 2007 farm bill, which largely mirrors the 2002 farm bill with a few exceptions. In a press release on Friday, NCGA called the passage “a step in the right direction in moving a farm bill forward in 2007.”
The House could vote on the farm bill as early as next week.
The House Agriculture Committee’s bill gives farmers the option of signing up for a program similar to one now available in the 2002 farm bill or a program that allows growers to enter a revenue-triggered countercyclical program based on national price. NCGA advocates a farm bill with a county-based revenue countercyclical program that triggers payments based on a farm’s revenue rather than a crop’s price. The bill also calls for lowering the adjusted gross income cap from $2.5 million to $1 million for farmers receiving government support and conservation payments.
While Chairman Collin Peterson’s (D-Minn.) version of a revenue-based program prevailed, Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) offered an amendment that would offer a state-based program. The committee discussed the proposal favorably, and Peterson gave a commitment the committee should study the proposal in the future. Though there was support for his amendment, Moran decided to withdraw it.
The proposal has a dozen sections, and NCGA is studying each of them in detail.
WTO Draft Texts Released
On Tuesday, the WTO released draft documents recommending particular changes in order to reach an agreement in the Doha Round talks. The WTO asked the United States and Europe to lower their farm subsidies in return for increased access for manufactured goods in developing countries. The document calls for the United States to lower its farm subsidies to a range of $13 billion to $16.5 billion a year. The last U.S. offer was to lower the subsidies to $17 billion a year. The WTO proposal would also cut tariffs on manufactured imports for the United States, Europe, Brazil and India. WTO talks broke down last month in Germany, and none have been scheduled since then. The release of these documents may bring the key nations back to the negotiating table soon.
NCGA Delegates Ratify Dickey as First VP, Elect Board Members
NCGA delegates Wednesday ratified the nomination of Bob Dickey, of Laurel, Neb., as First Vice President and elected five members to the association’s Corn Board. Three board members were re-elected: Jamie Jamison, Dickerson, Garry Niemeyer, and Theresa Schmalshof. Bart Schott and Clark Gerstacker also were elected. Gerstacker picked up the two-year term being vacated by Dickey. The other four candidates will serve three-year terms. Dickey will begin his term as First Vice President in October.
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AROUND THE CORN BELT
News
from State Associations
Maryland: The Maryland Grain Producers Association and the Maryland Soybean Board invite growers to attend the 9th Annual Maryland Commodity Classic on July 26 at the Queen Anne’s 4-H Park in Centreville. Tours at the Wye Research and Education Center will run from 9–11 a.m. giving people time to arrive at the Maryland Commodity Classic at the Queen Anne’s 4-H Park in time for lunch and to see the informational displays which will be set up at 11 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 1 p.m., followed by speakers and concluding with the famed Crab Feast, Pork and Chicken Barbecue. Entry prior to 2:30 p.m. is $10, and after 2:30 p.m. the entry fee in $20, there is no entry after 3:30 p.m. For ticket information regarding the Maryland Commodity Classic, contact Lynne Hoot at 410-956-5771.
Illinois: The Illinois Corn Growers Association, along with the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, and Waterways Council Inc., will be hosting a series of educational barge tours along the Illinois River on Aug. 6 and along the Mississippi River on Aug. 8 and Aug.14. The Aug. 6 Illinois River Barge Tour will be conducted in the Peoria-Pekin area and will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The Mississippi River Barge Tour in Alton on Aug. 8 takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The final tour originating in Bettendorf, Iowa, on Aug. 14 will be a 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. tour. On the barge tour you will experience the mechanics of river transportation, hear local businesses explain how they utilize the river, as well as hear a presentation on watershed management and environmental restoration. It is a great time to sit back, relax, and experience the connection between the river, the economy, and you. For more information, visit www.ilcorn.org.
Michigan: Many farmers know that you must be fast paced to be successful, and Ohio farmer and six-time International Hot-Rod Association (IHRA) champion Funny Car driver Mark Thomas is no exception. Thomas looks to continue his winning streak in this summer’s IHRA racing season. Thomas and his ethanol-powered racecar will be at the 26th annual Torco Racing Fuels IHRA Northern Nationals at the U.S. 131 Knoll-Gas Motorsports Park in Martin, Aug. 3-5. Thomas will return to Michigan to compete in the Fifth Annual Suzuki Motor City Nationals at Milan Dragway in Milan, Aug. 24 -26. The Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM) is a proud sponsor of Mark Thomas and applauds his efforts in the promotion, education, and utilization of ethanol, America’s homegrown, renewable fuel. For more information on the CMPM and the MCGA, visit the Web site at www.micorn.org. |
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NCGA Provides New Resources on Web
Updated information on everything from historical tillage practices to how much ethanol can be produced from a bushel of corn is now available on the NCGA Web site. The new and updated materials range from simple brochures to comprehensive reports.
Sustainability: Meeting future economic and social needs while preserving environmental quality.
This document is a wide-ranging analysis of modern corn production, from both an economic and an environmental perspective. The report examines such issues as soil conservation, input management, water quality and the role of biotechnology in crop production.
U.S. Corn Growers: Producing Food AND Fuel. This brief includes the most recent statistics on corn production and use, with the current projections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help both corn growers and consumers understand the controversy over ethanol production.
Ethanol: Get the Facts. This brochure is a brief but informative look at the myths and facts surrounding corn-based ethanol.
Also new on the site is NCGA’s quarterly Corn Grower Update, detailing the association’s activities from April to June, including the challenge growers faced to plant the historic 2007 crop.
For more information on NCGA's public policy, visit the Issue Briefs page. |
KEY ISSUES
