In these uncertain times, navigating the challenges that have a lasting impact on your operation can be difficult. While much of the world is slowing down and responding to COVID-19 (coronavirus), farmers and ranchers continue to work, ensuring our nation’s food security.
The 27th Annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show took place in February in San Antonio, Texas. The convention was comprised of over 7,500 attendees and 350 exhibitors, and offered workshops and educational sessions, award ceremonies, and decision-making opportunities for the attendees. In this recap, we discuss the topics of interest, highlights of the convention, and the keynote speech from United States Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue.
Michelob ULTRA launched its new USDA-certified organic beer, Pure Gold, last week and promoted it in a 60-second advertisement during Super Bowl LIV this past Sunday. This program stemmed from the company’s 2019 initiative, “Contract for Change”, which are three to six-year contracts offering premiums for transitioning to organic barley.
West Coast surfer and California avocado rancher, Jamie Johnson, has spent the greater part of his adult years cultivating his love for the land. As a fourth-generation farmer, it was Jamie’s grandfather and great-grandfather who first shared this honorable way of life. As seen in our documentary Jamie Johnson: An American Farmer, Jamie’s first memories of farming began out in the avocado fields as a boy, watching his grandfather touch and closely examine each tree. “Do you have to touch every tree, Grandpa?” He would ask.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) held their 101st annual convention and trade show in Austin, Texas on January 17-22, 2020. The conference included educational workshops on trending ag topics and cutting-edge innovation in agriculture, a tradeshow floor with prominent exhibitors, and the much anticipated keynote address from President Donald Trump.
The Farm Bill, with all of its promising farm, trade, and conservation programs, was all set to go. The Senate approved it. It was just up to the House to vote in favor. Unfortunately, the result was less than favorable. The result was failure, frustration, and shock. The result was incredibly unfortunate for farmers, consumers, and the country as a whole.
What happened?
Optimism was high until a food stamp amendment was brought to the table. From here, the controversy picked up and the Farm Bill fell apart. The GOP passed an amendment to institute work requirements for food stamps. The massive cuts that were proposed to the $75-billion food stamp program caused Democrats to pull out and strongly reject the Farm Bill. The cuts were steep and Democrats feared that millions of the country’s poor would be pushed out of the program.
Yet, the opposition by the Democrats wasn’t the only reason for the bill’s defeat. There was, Democrats aside, a strong split amongst the Republicans as well.
What happens to the Farm Bill moving forward?
The future of the Farm Bill is uncertain. At this point, it is not looking very promising. It is very much in limbo as the House weighs its options, reassessing the best way to move ahead. Analysts and lobbyists predict that the outcome will simply involve an extension of the farm bill that is currently in place. There is great opposition to this option, so it will be interesting to see what will ultimately unfold.
The hope by supporters, including many agricultural groups, ag lending and banking groups, is that the bill will be re-considered. The hope is that a deal will be reached to revive the bill to provide the farming industry the support and legislation it really needs. Without it, agricultural groups are in a rocky place.
Here’s hoping.
