NATIONAL AG NEWS SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
National Ag News for September 26, 2022
USDA Panel Targets County Committee System
The Equity Panel investigating discrimination within the agency wants USDA to consider eliminating the county committee system that’s played a big role in managing the Farm Service Agency’s agricultural programs. Industry Update Dot Com says the Fairness Committee voted to recommend in an interim report to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack that the USDA do research and analysis on possibly ending the district county committee system and develop a fairer alternative for all farmers. The analysis should include what the county committees are currently doing in creating disparities for minority farmers. That should include the historical role of the district committee system and the current displacement of minority farmers. The commission also recommends that USDA immediately put a program in place that ensures minority county committee councilors have access to the FSA administrator to report real-time problems or issues in the county. The final report will be completed and submitted to Vilsack soon.
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Wheat Growers Applaud Efforts to Increase Export Promotion Funding
America’s wheat growers have a long history of valuing export market development by supporting the successful public-private partnership with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. That’s why U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers applaud the introduction of the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act of 2022 in the Senate. The legislation would double the funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program, both of which are administered by the FAS. “MAP funding hasn’t increased from $200 million since 2006, and FMD funding hasn’t changed from $34.5 million since 2002,” says USW Chair Rhonda Larson. “However, our foreign competition in most global markets, including wheat, has grown.” USW also uses MAP and FMD funding to enable greater use of U.S. wheat in food aid programs which have taken on more significance due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that disrupted the global wheat trade.
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The Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program Moves Ahead
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service published a Notice to Trade related to the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the Library is designed to be a tool for cattle producers, making information available that may allow them to capture unrealized value for their livestock. “We are pleased to see the pilot program progressing and note the important decision to use the Livestock Mandatory Reporting statutes as a basis for any subsequent rulemakings,” says NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “We look forward to continuing to work with staff at AMS to ensure the success of this tool as well as the protection of our members’ proprietary business information.” The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 directed the AMS to create a Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program to increase market transparency for U.S. cattle producers. AMS is drafting a rule to ensure complete contractual information gets reported.
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USDA Extends Deadline for Grazing Land Agreements
The USDA extended the application deadline for Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Cooperative Agreements to October sixth. USDA is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Project proposals for GLCI Cooperative Agreements will identify and address barriers to accessing grazing assistance for producers. The projects should address several concerns, including local natural resource concerns, use climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices and principles, and encourage existing and new partnerships through emphasizing equity in advancing the resource needs of underserved communities. The projects should also identify and implement strategies to quantify, monitor, report on, and verify conservation benefits associated with grazing management systems. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says privately-owned grazing lands cover almost 30 percent of the landscape, so addressing climate change and conserving resources will happen through voluntary practices. To apply, go to grants.gov.
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Stabenow, Boozman Expect Votes on USDA, FSA Nominees
Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow says she’s hopeful the Senate will confirm three agriculture nominees this week by unanimous consent. The Hagstrom Report says Alexis Taylor is the nominee for USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Jose Emilio Esteban is nominated for USDA undersecretary for food safety. Vincent Logan is the nominee for the Farm Credit Administration Board. Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman also hopes they can be confirmed this week. Under questioning, Taylor says she’ll work on difficult issues like Mexico’s potential ban on biotech corn. Logan, the chief financial officer with the Native American Agriculture Fund, repeatedly promised to work with young and beginning farmers. When answering questions, Esteban said he’s passionate about preventing salmonella and pledged to work together with all parties on “how we get there.” The Senate Finance Committee recently approved Doug McKalip’s nomination as Chief Ag Negotiator, and he’s waiting for Senate confirmation.
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U.S. Export Sales Take a step Back
USDA data shows export sales of corn, beans, and wheat all fell week-to-week during the seven days ending on September 15. Corn sales during the week dropped sharply to 182,300 metric tons from 583,000 tons during the previous week. Japan was the biggest buyer at 83,200 metric tons. Exports for the week hit 563,000 metric tons, up from almost 427,000 tons the prior week. Soybean sales to overseas buyers dropped to 446,000 metric tons, sharply lower than 843,000 tons a week earlier. Egypt was the top buyer with 174,000 metric tons of beans. Exports during the week totaled over 522,000 metric tons, up from almost 374,000 during the prior week. Wheat sales during the week came in at 183,500 metric tons, with Indonesia the top buyer with 136,000 tons. The USDA report says wheat exports from the U.S. totaled 678,000 metric tons, up slightly from 676,800 tons a week earlier.
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