legislators voted on issues of interest to agriculture. By Washington Farm Bureau FULL SCORECARD HERE Our primary goal during the 2012 legislative sessions was once again to prevent the passage of bills that would have increased the tax or regulatory burden on the agricultural industry. Because of the makeup of […]

Tentative Deal Reached on Highway Transportation Bill by National Association of Wheat Growers Republicans and Democrats in Congress have reached a tentative agreement on a two year deal to finance the nation’s highways. The $8.4 billion dollar bill comes just days before the previous Transportation Bill expires on Saturday June […]

By National Cattlemen’s Beef Association The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee hosted a hearing today, June 27, 2012, to deliberate on the “Superfund Common-Sense Act” introduced by Congressman Billy Long (R-Mo.) According to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President J.D. Alexander, the legislation (H.R. 2997) would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency […]

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding Supreme Court Decision on Health Care: By American Farm Bureau Federation “Farmers, ranchers and rural residents need affordable and accessible health care. We remain concerned that mandating individuals and businesses to buy insurance will impose an expense that creates economic […]

By Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Debris from the March 2011 tsunami that struck Japan is starting to reach Oregon’s coast. Some of it may carry invasive species that could pose a serious threat to Oregon’s marine environment and native species. There are a number of things that Oregonians […]

American Forest Research Council, The timber industry is pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court  announced it will review a 2010 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision requiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for forest roads. “We are happy the Supreme Court recognizes the importance of this issue. EPA’s […]

Andrew Langer President of the Institute for Liberty (Excerpt) In announcing his re-election, the president has repeatedly stressed the importance of green jobs and exhaustive environmental regulations, measures taken over Obama’s term in office to appease one of his key constituencies. The pandering quickly paid off last month as Obama […]

Greg Walden helps pass bill boosting grazing permit certainty for Oregon ranchers –House gives approval to bipartisan legislation streamlining process for renewing livestock grazing permits Congressman Greg Walden The House today approved commonsense legislation that would boost certainty for ranchers dealing with grazing permits on federal land.  The Grazing Improvement […]

Cindy, Corn Commentary National Corn Growers Association New York City Mayor Bloomberg seems intent upon transforming the “City that Never Sleeps” into the “City that Never Eats.”  The latest food banning proposal being considered by the New York City Council would limit sizes of treats like popcorn and milkshakes. They […]

After nearly two weeks of commendable effort, the Senate moved for full passage of their version of the 2012 Farm Bill, S.3240 the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 by a 64-35 vote. By National Association of Wheat Growers NAWG President Erik Younggren, farmer from Hallock, Minn. commended […]