Several leading farm groups welcomed the introduction yesterday morning of new legislation to establish a federal voluntary labeling standard for foods made with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act would direct FDA to provide guidance for companies that wish to label their products for the presence or absence of GMOs; make mandatory an FDA safety review of all new GMO traits before they are brought to market and enable FDA to mandate labels on any product shown to pose a health, safety or nutrition risk; and directs FDA to define the term "natural" for use on food labels. Additionally, the bill would eliminate a large potential source of confusion among consumers by establishing FDA's labeling guidance as the national standard and preventing states from enacting a patchwork of conflicting requirements.

"As the nation's largest general farm organization, the American Farm Bureau represents farmers and ranchers who use every type of agricultural production system to provide the safest food possible both here in the U.S. and abroad. Our farmers and ranchers are encouraged by the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), G.K. Butterfield, (D-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) for introducing H.R. 4432, The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act," said OFBF President Bob Stallman.  (You can read more of Bob Stallman's statement by clicking here.)

National Association of Wheat Growers President Paul Penner,  a wheat farmer from Hillsboro, Kan., "It will provide a federal solution on GMO labeling and will bolster consumer confidence in the safety of American food by affirming the FDA's sole authority in food safety and labeling decisions."  (Click here for more of Paul Penner's remarks.)

Other groups which welcomed yesterday's introduction included:  the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Corn Growers and the Biotechnology Industry Association.  (Click on their names to read their reactions.)

Environmental Working Group Opposes GMO Labeling Law; Dubs it DARK Act 

Legislation introduced yesterday by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) would block any federal or state action to require labeling of foods made with genetically engineered ingredients, according to the Environmental Working Group.

"More than 90 percent of Americans support labeling of GE foods," said Scott Faber, senior vice-president of government affairs for EWG. "It's clear the public wants to know what's in their food, but if Rep. Pompeo has his way, no one will have that right."

"Consumers, particularly the eight out of ten American families who buy organic products, want to know what is in their food," said Marni Karlin, director of legislative and legal affairs for Organic Trade Association. "Rep. Pompeo's bill ignores this consumer demand for information. Instead, it ties the hands of state governments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration concerning GMO labeling. It is fatally flawed."

Click here to read the full story. 

Drought Intensifies, Triggers State Emergency Fund, Raises Concerns, Clay Pope Says

As the drought appears to be intensifying in parts of Oklahoma, state disaster assistance is starting to flow. Clay Pope, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, tells us the Emergency Drought Fund set up last year by the legislature and governor is beginning to show results as producers hunker down for what could prove to be another difficult year.

"This is the first time the state has ever put together a pot of money and a mechanism to actually deal with drought in the state. The governor has to declare a drought emergency. She declared a drought emergency toward the end of 2013 for four counties in southwest Oklahoma and one in the Panhandle."

Pope says a commission of water and conservation officials determined how the $3 million dollar fund would be allocated and, so far, $375,000 was approved for projects in the affected counties. The local conservation districts have since been working with landowners to get projects underway.

"We're glad that that money has gone out the door. It was a rather short turnaround in time frame. We're hopefully getting some help out there. Water for livestock is the primary use of the money, but there's also some money going for pasture repair... $375,000 is not that much money, it's really a drop in the bucket, but at least it's a start. And you hope the rains come and we won't need any more."

Click here to read more or to listen to my interview with Clay Pope.  He will also appear with me on this Saturday's "In the Field" segment on News 9 about 6:40 a.m.  

Allendale's Rich Nelson Say Sharp Revision in USDA Corn Numbers Surprises Analysts

The USDA's latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report surprised traders today with a sharp increase in corn exports of 125 million bushels. That's according to analyst Rich Nelson of Allendale. No other changes were made to the balance sheet numbers with ending stocks leftover as of August 31st being lowered. The previous estimate showed ending stocks of 1.456 billion bushels has now been lowered to 1.331 billion bushels. That figure was much lower than analysts' average prediction of 1.403 billion bushels.

On the world side, the USDA left Argentina's corn crop unchanged at 24 million tons, but raised estimates of Brazil's crop from 70 to 72 million tons.

USDA increased ending stocks for wheat as analysts had expected. The estimate was raised from 558 million bushels to 583 million bushels. These numbers reflected a third-quarter usage which was less than expected. Domestic usage was lowered by 30 million bushels and imports were dropped about five million bushels.

Click here to read more of this story, to watch a video analysis with Allendale's Rich Nelson or to find a link to the USDA report. 

 

Ag Committee Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize and Improve the CFTC

The House Agriculture Committee yesterday approved H.R. 4413, the Customer Protection and End-User Relief Act, by voice vote. Reps. Frank Lucas (OK-3), Collin Peterson (MN-07), K. Michael Conaway (TX-11), and David Scott (GA-13) introduced the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and improve the operations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as well as address concerns relating to protecting customers from another failure such as MF Global and Peregrine Financial. It is the product of a multi-year process that included hearing perspectives from market participants, end-users, futures customers, and the CFTC.

"I appreciate the bipartisan support of this legislation, which ensures that the federal agency tasked with regulating the multi-trillion dollar derivatives market is working in the most efficient and effective way. This bill would also cement key protections for futures customers into law. And, it mitigates the regulatory load on America's job creators like our farmers, ranchers, small businesses, government utilities, and manufacturers. I look forward to advancing this common-sense legislation in the House," said Rep. Frank Lucas, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. 

You can read the full story and find links to the bill's full text and a summary of it by clicking here. 

Checkoff Calling for Nominations for Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards

Award applications for the seventh annual checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award are now being accepted. The 2015 National BQA Awards recognize four winners in the area of beef, dairy, marketing and education:

The beef and dairy awards recognize producers that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.

The BQA award winners will be selected by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef councils and affiliated groups. Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group, or individual on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, marketer or educator. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, however the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application.

Click here to learn more and to find a link to the award application.  

This N That- McAlester Stock Cow Sale This Saturday, Oklahoma Sorghum Seeking USCP Board Candidates and Canola Crop Tour Meetings All Next Week

This Saturday, April 12th, the McAlester Union Stockyards has a nice lineup of 650 head of Bred Cows, Pairs, Bred & Open Heifers, and Bulls- all to sell staring at twelve noon.

You can see the complete lineup of consignments by clicking here and you can call 1-918-423-2895 to register as a buyer or to get more information about this lineup of animals for this weekend.

**********

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced two at-large positions will become vacant in December 2014 on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program board of directors. The Oklahoma Sorghum Commission and the Oklahoma Sorghum Association are certified producer organizations accredited by USDA that are collectively seeking sorghum producers interested in serving on the Sorghum Checkoff board.

If you are a sorghum producer- you can learn more by clicking here.

**********   

The Canola Crop Tour stops start on this coming Monday- and run the entire week- with three to four stops daily.

We have the complete lineup of meetings on our calendar page- click here for that main calendar page where you can scroll down to Aprl and take a look.  Contact your local Extension office for the exact location of each test plot in any given county.