News Update
January 8, 2015
Statement by American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman Regarding the Regulatory
Accountability Act of 2015
“The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) strongly supports the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015. We applaud the leadership of Reps. Robert Goodlatte and Collin Peterson in reintroducing this measure, which has traditionally received bipartisan support, and we will work actively for swift approval by Congress.
“The Regulatory Accountability Act takes an important step towards updating and reinvigorating the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). That law is now nearly seven decades old and must be amended to ensure that the public and the regulated community, in particular, are afforded a transparent, fair and open regulatory process. This legislation would require agencies to be more open and transparent on data justifying a rule. The most costly rules would be subject to on-the-record hearings. Agencies would be required to consider such rules’ impact on jobs and the economy. Moreover, agencies’ ability to use guidance and interim final rules would be constrained.
“Goodlatte-Peterson updates to the APA will give all stakeholders a greater voice in a process that is too often one-sided and, frankly, unfair.
“Everything from the environment to trade, product safety and health, the fertility of farmland, even the security of our retirements, suffers when rule makers fail to take into account the harm they may cause.
“We need something better than attack, counterattack and litigation. We strongly urge all members of Congress to support this bill.”— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
MCA Sets 2015 Policy Priorities
During the 47th Annual Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show Jan. 2-4, at Osage Beach, Mo., several hundred cattlemen gathered to discuss priorities for the 2015 legislative session. Members of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) participated in the grassroots policy process by discussing new policy, reviewing existing policy and prioritizing policy issues.
MCA members made clear the top priority is passing legislation that was included in Senate Bill 506, but was vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon. Those issues include increasing the livestock hauling limits, enabling beef producers to vote whether or not they want a state-specific beef checkoff program and protecting the beef cattle industry from frivolous liability litigation. MCA President Janet Akers said she is hopeful these bills will move through the legislature quickly.
“All of these issues — hauling limits, livestock liability and the beef checkoff — have already been vetted by the legislative body and we hope they will be fast-tracked this year,” said Akers. “The governor just hosted a beef summit to discuss ways to advance this industry. One easy way to move the industry forward is to sign legislation that will do just that. We want to work with Governor Jay Nixon to do good things for the cattle industry, but that's impossible if good bills are vetoed.”
MCA will also lead an innovative effort to empower and enable beginning farmers and ranchers in Missouri.
“We absolutely must do everything within our power to sustain this industry, and we cannot do that without affording beginning farmers and ranchers the opportunity to have a fighting chance in production agriculture. The biggest threat to Missouri agriculture is the shrinking number of people in this business,” said MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering. “We must turn to the next generation and give them a leg up or we will be in serious trouble. This is a serious issue and this association will not sit on the sidelines. We have to wake up and do everything we can to encourage beginning farmers and ranchers to keep farming right here in Missouri.”
MCA members also believe “good government” needs to be a priority this legislative session. 2014 MCA Policy and Legislative Affairs Chairman Jimmie Long said the association would pursue eliminating the use of taxpayer dollars by state agencies and commissioners for lobbying the legislature. The association will support efforts to bring accountability to the Department of Conservation by putting a sunset on the conservation sales tax. He also said protecting producer privacy will be a priority.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Illinois Beef Cattle Meetings Coming Up
High cattle prices coupled with slumping feed costs have resulted in a very favorable situation for the cow-calf producer, according to a University of Illinois (U of I) Extension commercial beef educator.
“Good profit potential in the cattle business exists,” said Travis Meteer. “It is important to stay in touch with management strategies that can make the most out of the current market dynamic.”
Several meetings will take place during the month of January where cattle producers can gain insight. Topics to be discussed at the meetings include integrating cover crops on a diversified farm; confinement and drylot cow systems; least-cost winter rations; and managing cows to achieve successful breeding-back.
Meeting dates and locations include:
· Jan. 13, 5 p.m., Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon, Ill.
· Jan. 14, 9:30 a.m., Pecatonica Public Library, Pecatonica, Ill.
· Jan. 21, 5 p.m., Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, Ill.
Come join fellow cattlemen and enjoy a beneficial conversation and “talking cows.” Preregistration is suggested for the meeting, and cost of the meeting is only $10, payable at the door.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
International Livestock Congress set for March 4-5 in Houston
The 2015 International Livestock Congress (ILC)–USA will bring together elite livestock and meat industry international leaders to discuss a variety of proactive strategies that address the ever-changing beef industry.
The ILC–USA will be March 4-5, 2015, at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas.
The 2015 ILC will be hosted at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where the original Congress was first hosted in 1986. In 2009, the ILC was moved to the National Western Livestock Show in Denver where the ILC was well received, Reagan said.
The first day of the ILC will feature a presentation by Bernard Vallat, director general of the World Organization for Animal Health. Vallat will discuss a new global alliance for a safer, fairer and more sustainable livestock sector. Following Vallat, Kevin Ochsner, Agcellerate, will moderate a panel discussion on global production and consumption of animal protein. Panel participants will include Francois LeGall, World Bank; Jimmy Smith, International Livestock Research Institute; Bruce Feinberg, McDonald’s Corp.; and Hsin Huang, International Meat Secretariat.
Todd Armstrong, senior director of Elanco Beef Operations will open the discussion on Day 2. He will discuss using technology to provide animal protein. Next, Frank Mitloehner, University of California–Davis, will address sustainability of beef production systems. John Paterson, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), will moderate the morning panel discussion on livestock production systems. Panel participants will include Jimmy Smith, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Arturo Llavallol, Sociedad Rural Argentina; and Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Concurrent sessions will take place the afternoon of March 5. Topics and speakers include:
- Are there international markets for all kinds of beef? — Leann Saunders, Where Food Comes From Inc.
- The future of agriculture in a global market — Paul Genho, Farm Management Co.
- Beef quality, safety and sustainability in U.S. feedlots — Kevin Hazelwood, Cactus Feeders
- Antibiotic resistance issues and solutions facing the beef industry — H. Morgan Scott, Texas A&M University
- Will salmonella ever be treated as E. coli O157:H7? Should it? — Mohammad Koohmaraie, IEH Consulting
- Global animal protein production health concerns — Sam Thesagayaman, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Mandatory vs. voluntary animal tracking systems — John Clifford, CVO, USDA
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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