Agricultural News
NFU's Rob Larew Believes Transparency in the Marketplace is of Utmost Importance
Thu, 05 May 2022 14:10:40 CDT
During the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Washington Watch, in Washington D.C., Farm Director, KC Sheperd had the chance to speak with various individuals devoted to serving our farmers and ranchers who are essential in providing for the world including the President of the National Farmers Union, Rob Larew. Recently, NFU's donated $125,000 to help those involved in the agriculture industry in Ukraine and Larew said that is important.
"As farmers and ranchers out there, we certainly understand troubles and challenges and so forth," Larew said. "Looking at what many ways characterize the breadbasket of that part of the world, we know what those farm families must be going through. It is just so unbelievable."
The NFU wanted to do something to help, Larew said, because as farmers and ranchers, with our own challenges and struggles, we can understand that those in Ukraine are in need of assistance.
"Farmers and ranchers, I think everywhere, want to see what they can do for their community," Larew said.
As far as the conversation on cattle transparency acts goes, Larew said this has been a long problem in the industry for many years, and we are not going to be able to change it overnight.
"I have not seen this much conversation around real, meaningful change in the industry for a very long time," Larew said. "The fact that we have had two additional hearings, on top of the hearings that we have had in the past, I take this as all a really good sign that farmers union and many of the ranchers out there who are with us on trying to get that change, that we are making a difference, and certainly we hope that in time we will get the right legislation passed and we can see a change in the industry."
First and foremost, Larew said the most important thing for the industry is about making sure that the marketplace is transparent and that there is a cash minimum of some sort in the marketplace.
Additionally, Larew said bringing more market into the industry by building more capacity for processing would be beneficial in the long run.
"Not that we are going to compete against those big four, but at least giving some options for ranches out there, I think will help," Larew said. "Ultimately, the big game is going to be about getting some control on antitrust."
Whether it's in the beef industry or any part of the agriculture industry, Larew said bringing more competition, is really what the American economic enterprise is supposed to be about.
Larew also said they are still waiting on the DOJ (Department of Justice) along with everybody else.
"We know that there are still court cases out there that are going to be looked at, and part of the legislation that folks are talking about upon Capitol Hill is getting a special prosecutor in there to look at these issues as well," Larew said. "All of these things never happen quick enough, but I see it as a positive."
Larew said USDA is going to move forward with the cattle contract library, but he said there is some additional legislature there.
"I think that is going to be good, but that is going to have to come with that additional transparency in the marketplace along with that cash minimum and these other pieces if we are going to see that lasting change," Larew said.
KC's trip to Washington DC is brought to you by Hilliary Communications, Your local solution for internet, phone and TV.
To hear KC's full conversation with Rob Larew, click the LISTEN BAR below.
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