Lucas Remains Disappointed That USDA Not Including APH Update for Crop Insurance for 2015 Crops

House Ag Chairman Frank Lucas is pleased with the progress being made to implement the 2014 Farm Law, but some areas are taking longer than expected. This past week Lucas held a public hearing to review the implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).   I interviewed Chairman Lucas about the hearing as well as the implementation on the rest of the Farm Bill- and what lies ahead for Congress after the election when members return for a Lame Duck Session.

First- SNAP- The Agricultural Act of 2014 provided up to ten states with $200 million to operate new Employment and Training pilot projects. Lucas this pilot project allow states to create a program to require able-bodied adults without dependents to be required to work for their food stamps. The pilot projects aims to attract participation from states in different regions of the country with different demographics. Lucas said the voluntary program allows states be innovative in developing and testing methods to help adults secure employment and job training and reduce their dependency on SNAP. Lucas said the goal of the Farm Bill was to gives states as much flexibility as possible to come up with programs that would meet that standard of requiring able-bodied adults without dependents to work for their food stamps.


"This could very well be the laboratory that establishes the way in which we handle food stamps, the nutrition programs, in years to come," Lucas said.

Vilsack was also questioned at last week's hearing about the Actual Production History (APH) adjustment for Crop Insurance for the 2015 crop year- Vilsack repeated his contention that the agency simply did not have the time or resources to get it done for the crop year ahead. Lucas calls the low priority that Vilsack has placed on this piece of the farm bill puzzle very disappointing and claimed that USDA staff knew what it would take to get it and everything else done last January and February as the final negotiations were held for the farm bill. Lucas says the resources were provided for full implementation of the bill- and that includes APH.   

Lucas also addressed the outlook for the 'Waters of the US' proposal and what he anticipates Congress will be addressing between now and the end of the year.  Click here for our full interview with the Chairman. 

Leffler Sees Little Influence from Latest Cattle on Feed Report 

The latest cattle on feed report held few surprises. The US Department of Agriculture released the latest report Friday afternoon. Tom Leffler of Leffler Commodities told the Radio Oklahoma Network's Leslie Smith Friday afternoon this report came in close to industry estimates, so he looks to see very little impact from this report. 


The number of cattle on feed in the US was down one percent below last year. As of September first, the US had 9.8 million cattle on feed. Leffer said this is the second time this year that the number of cattle on feed came in below 10 million head and only the third time in the past 48 months being below 10 million head.


Placements for August totaled 1.72 million, which was three percent below 2013. Net placements were 1.65 million head. For the month of August placements are the lowest since the series began in 1996. Leffler said August placements were 10.3 percent higher than the July placements.   

Click here for the rest of the report or to listen to Leffler's full analysis.  

ASA Welcomes USDA Deregulation of Enlist Duo 2,4-D-Resistant Soybeans

In response to last week's decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to deregulate Dow's 2,4-D-resistant Enlist Duo soybeans, the American Soybean Association issued a statement cheering the move and calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to now quickly finalize the label for the new low-volatility Enlist Duo herbicide that can be utilized with these soybeans to control resistant and difficult to manage weeds. ASA also called upon foreign markets where U.S. soybeans are exported to quickly review and approve these new biotech events so that they can be commercialized here in the United States without jeopardizing export markets and U.S. farmers can realize their benefit.


"America's soybean farmers welcome today's decision by USDA to deregulate Enlist Duo. As the problem of weed resistance spreads across the soybean growing regions of the U.S., this solution presents another integral mode of action with which farmers can fight yield-robbing weeds," said ASA President and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser. "USDA deserves a great deal of credit for recognizing delays in the biotech approvals process and working to address them. Our attention now shifts to final EPA registration of the Enlist Duo herbicide, and to approvals in key soybean export markets. For new tools like Enlist Duo to be implemented and realized, we need to have approvals in key U.S. soy export markets since approximately 60% of the U.S. soy crop is exported."


Because of the importance of export markets to U.S. soybean farmers, ASA has had long-standing policy requiring technology providers to seek and obtain approvals in key U.S. soy export markets that have import approval processes before new biotech soybean traits are openly commercialized. ASA works closely with technology companies, other members of the U.S. soy family and value chain, and the U.S. Government to facilitate timely, science-based reviews of new biotech soybean traits both domestically and abroad.

Oklahoma Wheat Commission Honors Top Bread Bakers on Final Day of 2014 State Fair

Dena Welch, Wellston, was named Senior Division Grand Champion of the "Best of Wheat" Bread Baking Contest with her Whole Wheat Bread, September 21, at the Oklahoma State Fair. Dylan Wilson, Marland, was named Grand Champion of the junior division with his White Bread.  

The contest is an annual event sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and State Fair of Oklahoma.


"We had 122 entries from 39 counties this year, all champion or reserve champion winners in the county contests," said Don Schieber, chairman of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. "We had great attendance and always enjoy the opportunity to award the top bread bakers in the state." 

Click or tap here for details of the contest and the state winners in all of the categories from the show that was a part of the closing weekend of the 2014 State Fair.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be investing $68 million in 540 renewable energy and energy efficient projects across the country, helping to spur domestic energy production while also growing the rural economy and helping to create jobs. The investment, part of the Rural Energy for America Program, aids farmers and landowners in developing homegrown, renewable energy and also in making energy efficiency improvements - helping to reduce overall energy consumption and the need for foreign energy sources. The 2014 Farm Bill includes a robust energy title that received significant funding.


"These rural energy programs are critical in strengthening small businesses across the country and helping to spur local economies and create jobs," Stabenow said. "Through these investments, farmers will be able to install energy efficiency upgrades to their operations to cut energy costs. They will be empowered to harness the energy potential of American grown agriculture - by developing innovative systems to fuel and grow their businesses. Farm energy programs were a major priority for me when writing the 2014 Farm Bill, and I'm pleased to see producers across the country using these programs to strengthen their businesses, grow profits, and continue creating more jobs." 

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has helped nearly 4,000 farmers, ranchers and rural business owners lower their energy bills by installing renewable and energy efficient systems.  Click here to learn more about applying for REAP funding.  

First Angus Means Business National Convention

No matter how you make your living in the cattle business, there's a place for you at the 2014 Angus Means Business National Convention and Trade Show. The event, scheduled Nov. 4-6 at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, Mo., is a meeting place for everyone with an interest in quality beef production.


The $25 early-bird registration fee, applicable until Oct. 1, grants access to Angus University, a comprehensive all-day educational event; and nationally known entertainers, including cowboy comedian Baxter Black, country legend John Michael Montgomery and an Eagles tribute band. Plus, all attendees will be given a chance to win a brand-new Yamaha Viking VI.


"The Angus breed offers much to the industry, and the Association is proud to welcome all partners to the convention this fall," says Bryce Schumann, American Angus Association® chief executive officer. "This is an unprecedented opportunity for everyone with a stake in the success of the beef cattle business to congregate, share ideas, see old friends, make new ones and enjoy an in-depth look at the future of our industry."


Other schedule highlights include a slate of acclaimed speakers, such as Richard Picciotto - the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse, and two evening galas on the Trade Show floor, featuring nearly 100 allied industry partners.  Click here to learn more about Angus University and how to register for the convention.
 

Oklahoma Lobbyist Bart McSpadden Found Dead- Memorial Services Planned Wednesday in Oklahoma CIty

Bart McSpadden was found dead early Friday morning of this past week at his Edmond home.  The long time lobbyist for the Oklahoma Pork Council was 46.   

McSpadden is the son of the late Clem McSpadden,  

One of McSpadden and Associates' clients from Bart's first days at the firm established by his dad was the Oklahoma Pork Council- and he established a friendship quickly with their new Executive Director Roy Lee Lindsey. The Oklahoman quotes Lindsey about Bart- "He and his father both taught me very early in my career that when you're working at the state Capitol or you're working in state government ...the only thing you really have to offer is your integrity, and if you ever compromise that or if you ever lose that, it's very difficult for you to be successful in doing that job," Lindsey said. "...That's how they operated, and that's what they taught anyone and everyone that ever worked with them." 

McSpadden was involved as a representative at the Capitol for pork producers during what he liked to call the "Hog Wars."  The Oklahoma Pork Council honored McSpadden in 2013 with their Distinguished Service Award because of his many years of work that began in a time when there were those who wanted to push the rapidly expanding pork industry out of the state.  Here's the summary of that era that was detailed a couple of years ago as the Pork Council honored McSpadden. 

The Tulsa World quoted our friend Jami Longacre - "Bart McSpadden was one of the most wonderful men I know. He adored his wife, Kate, loved his four children and thought his mother, Donna, was queen of the world. Bart carried on the legacy of his father, Clem, by having the highest standards of integrity as a longtime lobbyist at the state Capitol.

"Bart was a kind-hearted, tender man who would do anything for those in need. His good humor was always contagious, and he was loved and respected by all who knew him."

Services for Bart McSpadden will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM at the Crossings Community Church Chapel on North Portland in Oklahoma City.   

For details about a memorial that has been set up for Bart's children- here's the Obituary that has been released by the Funeral Home.