News Update
May 15, 2013
Senate Agriculture Committee Completes Farm Bill Markup
With the Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2013 Farm Bill completed May 14, farmers and ranchers now look toward the House Agriculture Committee markup of its version of the bill, scheduled for May 15, as Congress moves one step closer toward passing a full 2013 Farm Bill, which would set American agriculture policy for the next five years.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George, a beef and dairy producer from Cody, Wyo., said his organization is pleased with the outcome of the Senate markup, adding that having cattle producers’ top farm bill priorities included in the legislation is paramount to ensuring the viability and sustainability of the beef industry.
“This version of the farm bill incorporates the priorities which NCBA and our membership fought hard for last year. There is not a livestock title, the conservation programs are maintained and the research title is sustained,” said George. “These priorities address the needs of cattle producers while limiting invasive federal oversight and ensure that farmers and ranchers can continue to produce a wholesome, safe and affordable food supply.”
The bill passed by the committee this afternoon did not include the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)/United Egg Producers (UEP) language. After announcing two weeks ago that it planned to include language in the draft farm bill legislation that would codify an agreement between HSUS and UEP to seek federally mandated production practices for the egg industry, the Senate Agriculture Committee made the decision last week that the proposal would not be included in their markup of the farm bill.
“Including the HSUS/UEP legislation in the farm bill would have created a potential slippery slope to allow the federal government to mandate on-farm production practices for all sectors of agriculture. Cattlemen and women have worked closely with the committee and leadership over these past years and we are very pleased the Senate used commonsense judgment and decided to not include this proposal in the bill,” said George. “We support this legislation that has come out of committee today and will continue working with both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to ensure the passage of agriculture policy which will provide certainty to farmers and ranchers.”
Multi-county New Landowner Field Day Set for May 17
The Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington County offices of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Multi-county New Landowner field day May 17 at the John Howard Farm, located at 5781 Old 36 Road between Bellville and Kenney.
The field day will include an overview of value-added hay production, information on irrigation to maximize production and the how-to’s of adding value to hay crops presented by host John Howard.
Tam Garland, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, will discuss poisonous and noxious weed control in pastures, and Sam Feagley, AgriLife Extension specialist, will present information on soil fertility, interpretation of a soil analysis and fertilizers for growing forages.
Demonstrations on conducting a forage analysis, soil test and controlling pasture pests will also be done during the course of the field day.
The field day will begin at 1:30 p.m. with registration at the farm. The program and field tour will follow. Participants can register at the door on the day of the program for $20 per person.
Three continuing education units will be given to pesticide applicators, two general and one integrated pest management, and handouts will be provided.
For information, contact the AgriLife Extension office of Austin County at 979-865-2072, or email austin-tx@tamu.edu to sign up.
National Grange Supports Supreme Court Monsanto Decision
The National Grange announced its support of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in the Bowman vs. Monsanto case, regarding the sale and usage of self-replicating products such as Monsanto’s genetically modified soybeans.
The case began when Vernon Hugh Bowman, an Indiana soybean farmer, used replicated soybean seeds to create eight successive crops. Monsanto sued Bowman in a lower court, insisting that his subsequent plantings violated their patent and that the self-replicating properties of their genetically modified soybeans did not excuse him from paying for new seeds every year. Both the lower courts and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto.
“The National Grange, along with everyone else in the Washington ag community, has been eagerly awaiting the Court’s decision on this case, as it has the potential to be a significant game changer not only for agriculture, but for any product that contains a self-replicating element,” National Grange Legislative Director Grace Boatright said. “If the Supreme Court didn’t rule in favor of Monsanto’s argument there would be little incentive to produce and promote inventions if a company or individual lost all profit-making potential after the first sale of a self-replicating product.”
National Grange President Ed Luttrell said the move also assures an abundant food supply into the future.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is not only good for agriculture and ag business, but it reaffirms the fact that genetically modified products are not only safe, but also necessary if we intend to produce enough food to meet future needs,” Luttrell said. “The Grange is a supporter of GMO (genetically modified organisms) products and a supporter of the individual farmer’s right to use this technology when available. Until credible scientific evidence suggests that a real danger exists, there is no reason not to utilize GMO technology.”
Monsanto is the world’s largest producer of genetically engineered seeds, with more than 650 seed patents. Together with Dupont and Syngenta, Monsanto controls over half the world’s seed production.
AgriLife Extension Program Helps
Young People Grow Through Gardening
“Okay, what’s the difference between a butterfly and a moth?” asked Natalie Cervantes, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service youth gardens coordinator for Bexar County, during her recent “Butterflies of the World” presentation to fourth-grade students at Wilshire Elementary School in San Antonio.
“Today I’m telling the kids about butterflies and insects and their role in the environment as pollinators,” Cervantes said. “We’re concentrating on native Texas butterflies because those are the ones they’re most likely to see.”
Through its Youth Gardens Program, the Bexar County office of AgriLife Extension, an educational outreach agency of the Texas A&M University System, provides education on gardening, horticulture and water conservation, as well as educational presentations to supplement and enrich classroom science objectives.
Youth Gardens Program education efforts are focused on introducing kids to nature and helping them develop a respect for the environment. Program efforts include Classroom Gardens Programs, the Children’s Vegetable Garden program in cooperation with the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Terrarium Programs, educational camps and special events.
David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension horticulturist for Bexar County, said AgriLife Extension conducts spring and fall teacher trainings for educators interested in installing a school garden and using gardening as a teaching tool. The agency also conducts Junior Master Gardener adult training once a year during the summer, focusing on the Junior Master Gardener curriculum. This past year, the Classroom Gardens Program alone had 278 teachers representing more than 50 schools throughout Bexar County participating, along with more than 5,200 students.
Other Youth Gardens Program offerings through the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County include a youth speakers bureau, educational camps and special events.
For more information, contact Rodriguez or Cervantes at 210-467-6575 or go to www.bexaryouthgardens.com/.
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