Estate Tax Bill Passes House! By Oregon Farm Bureau, HB 2541, the 2011 estate tax bill, has passed the House Floor and is headed to a Senate committee – most likely the Senate Revenue Committee. We have positive indications that the bill will be worked by Senator Burdick (D-Portland) and […]

With Speculation Contributing to Rising Gas Prices, Senators Demand that CFTC Produce Plan by May 23 to Rein in Excessive Speculation in West Texas Crude Oil Wyden Press Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of 17 Senators in calling […]

Cattlemen Association Cautious About EPA’s Final Dust Policy Assessment By National Cattlemen’s Beef Association WASHINGTON (April 25, 2011) – As anticipated, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Policy Assessment for the Review of the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards. According to Tamara Thies, chief environmental counsel […]

Beach visitors: Keep away from seals and sea lions By Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife GOLD BEACH, Ore. – Spring is Pacific harbor seal pupping season on the Oregon coast. Visitors should stay away from seals and sea lions resting on rocks or beaches. “Harbor seals are having their […]

This week an USDA Report Predicts Record Corn Crop and US Exports of Ethanol, Distillers Grains Grow By Renewable Fuels Association (May 11, 2011) Washington – Two important government reports show that American farmers and ethanol producers continue to meet demand. First, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today made […]

By Kate Campbell California Farm Bureau Federation A proposed federal protocol to increase checking for protected spotted owls on the North Coast has been put on hold, and small-scale timberland owners say they’ll continue working with regulators and elected officials to make sure the current rules remain in place. Landowners […]

Wood First Bill, Forest Service contract breach, WOPR suit by Rex Storm, Forest Policy Manager Associated Oregon Loggers ‘Wood First’ Bill Advances in Legislature: Championed by Oregon Forest Industries Council, the Oregon legislature is considering a bill (HB 3429) that would establish a preference for wood as the material for […]

By Dept. of Fish and Wildlife ONTARIO, Ore.—Missing Idaho man Thomas Lynch, last seen on April 19, was found on April 27th about 8 a.m. by ODFW District Biologist Phil Milburn during a sage-grouse lek survey in southern Malheur County. Milburn found Lynch along Jordan Craters Road/Birch Creek Ranch Road […]

Testimony before Congress on Crop Protection Registration By American Farm Bureau Federation WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2011 – Testifying before two congressional committees, American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Barry Bushue said the process for crop protection registration is “hopelessly broken.” Bushue, who testified before a joint public hearing of […]

Joint Hearing Examines Process for Endangered Species Review By National Association of Wheat Growers, A bureaucratic process meant to ensure pesticides will not harm endangered species is broken and in need of reform, witnesses and Members of Congress concluded at a Tuesday hearing. The hearing was held jointly by the […]