Archives

May 27, 2016 - Spending Bill: Defunds EPA rule, Ag exemptions, more

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Statement by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Tracy Brunner on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies mark-up of the fiscal 2017 spending bill: “The spending bill marked up by the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee contained a number of priorities for cattlemen and women. […]


May 25, 2016 - Farmers take on Fred Meyer for misleading GMO ads

By Oregon Farm Bureau, When some Oregon farmers discovered an ad by Fred Meyer for “GMO-free” herbs, tomato, and cucumber starts last month, they were not impressed. Why? Because of the nine GMO crops that are commercially available, these are not among them. Even if they were, a grocery store […]


May 23, 2016 - Judge Overturns Josephine County GMO Ban

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Pat Wolke granted plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment yesterday, overturning the county ballot measure that banned farmers from growing genetically engineered crops in the county. Judge Wolke made clear that the crop ban is expressly preempted by state law. […]


May 20, 2016 - Congressional Testimony: EPA harms farmers

By American Farm Bureau Federation Three Farm Bureau members today called on the federal government to use more carrots and fewer sticks with farmers who care for land that has often been in their families for generations. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Richard Ebert, former Ohio Farm Bureau President Terry McClure […]


May 18, 2016 - Ag awards wolf grants to stem 36% rise

The Oregon Department of Agriculture The Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved $129,664 in funding distributed to 13 counties as part of the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Funds for 2016 have been distributed for actual livestock losses or injuries caused by wolves, for […]


May 16, 2016 - Reasons for optimism in timber, logs

By Rick Sohn, PhD Umqua Coquille LLC Timber Industry Report April 27, 2016 While lumber production is slow and prices are low, there are favorable trends in mortgage rates and steady increase in home value nationally. Pockets of demand for homes and apartments in cities has created serious localized shortages […]


May 13, 2016 - Farmer’s Right to (data) Privacy

 By American Farm Bureau Federation Farmers and ranchers want to control the information their equipment collects every time it passes through a field, a survey released today by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows. Farmers also believe that creating a cooperative-style central repository for their data is the best way […]


May 11, 2016 - BOLI over-reaches on minimum wage rule

By Oregon Farm Bureau, The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) recently released draft rules to implement the new minimum wage law passed in Feb. 2016. We need your help to make sure the voice of small businesses and farmers is represented during the public comment period! BOLI’s draft rules […]


May 9, 2016 - Ag Dept. unveils Hemp rules

By the Oregon Department of Agriculture The Oregon Department of Agriculture has adopted temporary administrative rules to implement legislative changes to the state’s industrial hemp program. The rules, which take effect immediately, modify production and handling requirements for registered growers and handlers of industrial hemp. Several modifications are now in […]


May 6, 2016 - Labor Visa backlogs put 2016 crops at risk

By American Farm Bureau Federation Agency delays in processing visas for workers who tend and harvest America’s food crops are fast approaching crisis proportions, all but guaranteeing that crops will rot in the field on many farms this year, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said today. Communications with […]