Agricultural News
Oklahoma Farm Bureau's Rodd Moesel Describes Delegate Work and More at 2022 AFBF Convention
Tue, 11 Jan 2022 20:35:35 EST
A total of 346 Delegates from across the United States came together on Tuesday in Atlanta on the final day of the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention to set policy for the general farm group for the coming year. Rodd Moesel, President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, led the Oklahoma delegates- and he tells Ron Hays, Senior Farm/Ranch Broadcaster for the Oklahoma Farm Report that two issues commanded the most were cattle market issues and the Biden Administration's proposals to advance their 30 by 30 agenda.
The cattle market debate resulted in American Farm Bureau coming down on the side of letting markets work without government interference. Delegates from Iowa Farm Bureau attempted to have language on this stance removed in floor debate this morning. Moesel tells Oklahoma Farm Report that "and today there was a several hour debate and in the end a resolution opposing government mandates in the beef marketing area passed after several hours of what I would call very spirited and passionate debate." The resolution approved by a 178 to 159 reads "We oppose Government mandates that force any livestock slaughter facility to purchase a set percentage of their live animal supply via cash bids."
Steve Thompson, Vice President for Public Policy for Oklahoma Farm Bureau says that this statement means there is now official AFBF policy the opposes the cash market mandate as included in the proposed Grassley-Fischer compromise bill introduced in late 2021 in the US Senate.
Regarding the 30 by 30 agenda- AFBF delegates established their opposition to the proposals that many in agriculture consider President Joe Biden's goal of conserving 30% of the nation's land by 2030 is a "land grab." Oklahoma Farm Bureau also has policy opposing the 30 by 30 agenda.
Regarding other issues handled by the delegates- they updated policy on biofuels to include renewable diesel. The addition recognizes the innovation and potential that sustainable biofuels play in providing environmental benefits while creating opportunities for America's farmers.
Also, as farmers and ranchers continue to increase their reliance on digital technologies, delegates voted to support raising the standard for federal broadband projects to be at least 100 Mbps for both uploads and downloads.
Recognizing the growth of urban agriculture and importance of ensuring the success of all forms of agriculture, delegates voted to create new policy to support its continuation and acknowledge its economic contributions.
Moesel also discussed the work by American Farm Bureau to oppose the Biden Administration's plans to replace the Trump era NWPR- the Navigable Waters Protection Rule- AFBF and others in agriculture like the transparency of the NWPR as what is include in the federation jurisdiction and what isn't. They fear the more expansive reach that seems to be likely with the Biden proposal once it is known.
And Moesel says one of the highlights in Atlanta for Oklahoma was the presentation of the New Horizon award for the OKFB-Oklahoma 4-H ATV Safety facility in Guthrie.
Hear Ron and Rodd discuss the week in Atlanta at the AFBF Convention by clicking on the Listen Bar below.
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