The House Agriculture Committee's Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee held a public hearing Wednesday to examine the implications of potential retaliatory measures against the United States in response to its country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements for beef and pork.


In 2002, Congress initially adopted a country-of-origin labeling requirement for meat products despite serious concerns that it would not comply with trade commitments. Subsequently, the law was amended in 2008 and immediately challenged in the World Trade Organization (WTO) by Canada and Mexico, the main livestock exporters to the U.S. The WTO has since ruled three times in their favor, and members and witnesses at today's hearing stressed the significance of the U.S. potentially losing its fourth and final appeal.

At the hearing- all the witnesses, except for Roger Johnson of the National Farmers Union, testified that it is highly likely that the WTO will rule against the US in our final appeal- and that retaliation by Canada and Mexico could begin very quickly after that decision is made public in Mid May.

In our writeup on the hearing, available here, we feature the audio of the comments made by Michael Smith of Harris Ranch out of California- who told lawmakers that his company has experience no benefit from COOL, only costs and that he believes the rule and underlying law cannot be fixed- and need to be repealed.  

Other witnesses agreed with Smith. in addition to the audio comments from the Harris Ranch executive, we have links to the written testimony of several of the witnesses in our story- linked above.


In written testimony, R-CALF USA argued that "Congress must continue upholding COOL to ensure that imported meat is no longer allowed to deceptively assume the positive reputations of U.S. farmers and ranchers through non-disclosure of the meat's origins."  Click here to read more from R-CALF.   

The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 Introduced- Ag Groups Applaud

Reps. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., and G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C.,will reintroduce a bill today to provide important reforms to America's food supply. The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 will ensure that America's farmers will continue to be able to innovate and improve  the quality and quantity of their crops and provide nutritious, affordable food on families' tables both here and across the world.   

The potential for a 50-state patchwork of varying labeling standards would increase costs for producers and translate into higher prices for consumers to the tune of more than $500 per year for the average family," said Rep. Butterfield. "This bill will provide clear rules for producers and certainty for consumers at the grocery store checkout lane."  More details available here on how the lawmakers contend that this works for GMO and NonGMO interests alike. 

Several Ag Groups quickly shouted out their approval.

"This legislation is vital to giving both farmers and consumers the certainty they deserve when it comes to labeling of food containing GMO ingredients. At the same time, it would preserve choices in the marketplace for both groups," said Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.  Click here to read more from NCGC. 

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) applauds the introduction of legislation that will create a national, science-based labeling standard for foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and urges Congress to quickly pass the bill.


"We are pleased by the introduction of this bipartisan legislation. A uniform standard will bring the clarity desired by the consumer while ensuring they have direct access to fact-based, accurate information about how their food is grown, which is just not possible through conflicting state-by-state labeling laws," said Brett Blankenship, NAWG President and wheat grower from Washtucna, Wa.  Click here to read more from NAWG.  

"This legislation provides a common-sense solution for American consumers looking for additional information about the food they buy, while providing certainty to the farmers who produce it," National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling, a farmer from Maryland.  "We urge Congress to support it."  Click here to read more from NCGA.

Talking Farm Bill Safety Net, SNAP and More  with Congressman Frank Lucas

Implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill continues to take place. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its proposal on defining actively engaged in farming. Former House Ag Chairman and Third District Congressman Frank Lucas calls the implementation slow but sure as there were several dramatic changes made in the 2014 Farm Bill over the previous legislation from 2008. He said farmers have had to make decisions on their base acres, along with selecting a farm safety net program- and that he is pleased we are approaching the wrapup of that phase of farm bill implementation.


One frustration that has stuck with the Former Chairman was the lack of implementation for the 2015 crop year of Actual Production History (APH) for winter wheat. Lucas said USDA has included APH in 2015 spring seeded crops- with APH expected to be in place for winter wheat in the 2016 crop year. Lucas says he met numerous times with U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, but could not get the USDA to move as quickly as they could have for southern plains wheat farmers last summer and early fall.

We also talked with the Congressman about a variety of other subjects including the roll out of pilot programs at the state level of requiring single head of households who have no dependents to work to qualify for SNAP support- he is looking forward to seeing what innovations the states come up with that will make this program more effective and efficient.


Click here to read more or to listen my interview with Lucas.  He discuss his efforts to improve the Environmental Protection Agency and how Congress is working to stop the Affordable Care Act.   

Informa's Mike Sands Outlines Supply and Demand Uncertainty for Beef

Herd rebuilding is underway in the United States. There were thousands of cows culled in the 2010 - 2012 time frame because of significant drought. Informa Economics Senior Vice President Mike Sands said Texas and Oklahoma are at the epicenter rebuilding the herd.


"Obviously it's not forgotten by anybody in the cattle business in this part of the world," Sands said. "From here all the way to the west coast, there are still lingering effects of the drought and that does have some on-going implications about how much expansion we really might see. It's still a very delicate balance. We got to continue to see favorable pasture conditions, good pond water, all of those types of things that we're typically looking at this time of year. So, it's not a slam dunk yet by any stretch of the imagination, but at least we have seen some rather significant improvements over the last couple of years." 


The nation is already starting to see much bigger calf crop and the nation's beef production has declined as more heifers are held back and cows are retained longer in the herd. Sands said the nation's beef production last year declined by five percent, which is significant. He said there is no doubt heifer retention has had an impact on short term beef supplies.

To read more or to listen to Sands discuss some longer term challenges facing the beef industry, click or tap here.   

Farmers and Ranchers Embracing Drones for Agricultural Production

America's farmers and ranchers embrace technology that allows their farming businesses to be more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly.  While unmanned aerial systems have many commercial applications, they are expected to have the greatest impact on the agriculture industry - by one estimate, adding more than $75 billion to the economy by 2025. UAS are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, and are currently banned for commercial use.

The National Corn Growers Association hopes to see that changed.  NCGA Manager of Public Policy Clint Raine told a group of policymakers and reporters during a panel about the applications of UAS technology for the agricultural industry.  

"I'm optimistic about the possibilities for UAS technology and what it could mean for farmers," said Raine. "These devices will make farms more efficient and sustainable. Lowering the costs and environmental impact of farming is good not only for farmers, but also consumers."  Click here to read more from NCGA.   

According to Farm Bureau member and Michigan farmer, Jeff VanderWerff, UAS would provide a valuable tool for farmers and ranchers to manage their fields and respond to threats quickly before they turn catastrophic. "Currently, I spend about 12 hours a week walking the nearly 3,000 acres of land we farm. This may be effective, but it is not efficient," he said. UAS can also help farmers reduce their environmental impact. "With the imagery from unmanned aircraft, I can spot-treat sections of my fields as opposed to watering and spraying the entire field," VanderWerff said.  Click here to read more from Farm Bureau.

Deadline Approaches to Renew Expiring Conservation Stewardship Program Contracts

Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who signed Conservation Stewardship Program contracts in 2011 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have until Tuesday, March 31, 2015 to renew those expiring contracts.


These farmers, ranchers and forest landowners have the option to renew their existing contracts non-competitively if they are willing to adopt additional conservation activities aimed at helping them achieve higher levels of conservations on their operations, said Jason Weller, Chief of NRCS.


Changes in the 2014 Farm Bill will allow CSP participants with expiring contracts to renew them by exceeding stewardship thresholds for two or more existing natural resource concerns specified by NRCS or by meeting stewardship thresholds for at least two new natural resource concerns such as improving water quality or soil health.


About 9,300 contracts covering more than 12.2 million acres are nearing the end of their five-year term and can be renewed for an additional five years. Click here to read more about the CSP deadline.  

Happenings- Peanut Expo and OBI Bull Sale Today- Agri Women, TSCRA and Superior Tomorrow

Some quick reminders- click on the name of the event below to check out more last minute information about each of these things happening today and tomorrow:

Peanut producers from across the state will gather TODAY, March 26 for the 2015 Oklahoma Peanut Expo at Quartz Mountain Resort near Lone Wolf. The annual event, a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission (OPC), Oklahoma State University, USDA - ARS and peanut sheller interests in the southwest, has become the state's premier industry meeting drawing participants from across the southern U.S. peanut belt.  

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The 43rd Annual OBI Test Station Bull Sale begins at high noon TODAY- at the Test Station located on State Highway 51 between I-35 and Stillwater.

160 Bulls will be offered in today's sale of animals that have gone through the bull test at the station.

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The midyear meeting of the American Agri-Women organization is underway now through Sunday at the Best Western Saddleback Inn, I-40 and Meridian in Oklahoma City.  

This is an important meeting for the group as they are finalizing policy priorities ahead of their Washington Fly-In planned for early June.

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The 138th Annual Convention of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers gets a full head of steam tomorrow and rolls right into the weekend.  

That includes their Cattlemen's College as well as their always outstanding Expo (or trade show) which runs Friday and Saturday.  

TSCRA has its biggest membership in Texas- but also has a substantial number of Oklahoma ranchers that are a part of the organization as well- and have several TSCRA Rangers who help with cattle theft issues in both states.

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The next regularly scheduled sale for Superior Livestock is set for tomorrow morning- happening live from their studios in Ft. Worth, Texas. Start time is 8:00 AM central with Superior Sunrise starting 30 minutes earlier at 7:30.  

A total of 33,000 cattle will be selling on Friday- and the sale can be seen on DISH Network Channel 232 as well as on Superior Click to Bid. Com.  

After the feeder cattle sale- there will be a special Superior Select Replacement Female Sale- about 2,500 replacement females will be featured- starting around 3:00 PM central time.

Details can be had by calling Superior at 1-800-422-2117.