Here is the recipe that the U.S. Department of Labor used to create the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States final rule. Step one: Copy the proposed rule of the same name released on Dec. 1, 2021. Step two: Paste. Step three: Sprinkle in some references to having received comments from a range of stakeholders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, but fail to incorporate any of the suggestions. Step four: Add a dash of “it’s not our job” in response to some of the comments received. Step five: Publish the final rule, which “is adopting the methodology proposed in the 2021 AEWR NPRM without change,” in the Federal Register on Feb. 28, 2023. Barring any last-minute change of heart or legal action, this new wage regime goes into effect today, Thursday, March 30. (Credit: Veronica Nigh, Senior Economist, American Farm Bureau / Click the button below to read the full story.)
As part of legislative action by the Virginia General Assembly, funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, were appropriated to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and consumer Services (VDACS) to assist Virginia Grade A dairies. The General Assembly approved $2 million for VDACS to establish a program to provide direct financial assistance to Grade A dairies that experience financial losses in the spring of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.
All Virginia Grade A dairies that were in operation in the spring of 2020 are eligible to apply by completing the form similar to the sample form below. The completed form should be specific to your farm and contain a calculation demonstrating the estimated financial losses and the calculated direct payment for which you are applying. Please note that the maximum possible payment per farm will not exceed $5,500, and final payment amounts will not be determined until after the May 1, 2023, application deadline. Farms whose calculated dairy margin coverage payments are less than the maximum VDACS payment will receive the calculated dairy margin coverage estimated amount.
For more information, please contact the Milk Commission at 804-786-2013 or milk@vdacs.virginia.gov. You may be asked to submit documentation to support your claim. Signed applications and signed and completed COV Substitute W-9 forms should be mailed to the address below and postmarked no later than MAY 1, 2023. Failure to include both documents could exclude the farm from participation in the program.
Public Comment Period is Now Open for 2023 Wildlife, Hunting, and Boating Proposed Regulation Amendments
Following a public scoping period where ideas on changes to wildlife regulations were reviewed, the Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources proposed amendments to Virginia’s regulations governing wildlife and boating. A public comment period is currently ongoing through May 10, 2023. You can read the proposed changes and provide feedback here.
Public comment will also be taken both virtually and in-person during the May 25 meeting of the Board of Wildlife Resources. Meeting details, including an agenda and registration link, will be posted here when available. The board anticipates adopting final regulation amendments that will be effective on August 1, 2023.
Virginia Farm Bureau members can contact Stefanie Taillon at stefanie.taillon@vafb.com or 804-363-9505 with questions or concerns.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and CNH Industrial brands, which includes Case IH and New Holland, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on March 9, 2023, that provides farmers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU follows a similar agreement AFBF entered into with John Deere earlier this year.
“Our members urged us to find a private sector-solution that gives them access to repair their own equipment and I’m pleased months of discussions have again paid off,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers are more dependent on technology than ever before, so it’s critical they have access to the tools to keep things running on the farm so the food supply chain keeps running, too.”
“We understand the work our customers do is time-sensitive and critical for a safe and abundant food and fiber supply,” said Sally Johnson, Vice President, New Holland Agriculture North America. “This agreement is the next step in delivering on New Holland’s promise to better serve our customers, and in a way that helps them safely and effectively manage and maintain their equipment uptime.”
“This agreement underscores CNH Industrial’s commitment to empowering our customers by providing them with resources and tools that allow them to safely self-repair their equipment in a timely matter,” said Kurt Coffey, Vice President, Case IH North America. “We know that agricultural equipment is one of the most significant investments for the American farmer. As a farmer, Farm Bureau member myself and brand leader, this MOU is a positive step forward in continuing to put the customer at the center of everything Case IH does.”
The MOU sets a framework for farmers and independent repair facilities in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico to access CNH Industrial brand manuals, tools, product guides and information to self-diagnose and self-repair machines, as well as support from CNH Industrial brands to directly purchase diagnostic tools and order products and parts.
The MOU respects intellectual property rights and recognizes the need to ensure safety controls and emission systems are not altered. CNH Industrial and AFBF will meet semiannually to review the agreement and address ongoing concerns.
The AFBF board of directors unanimously approved the MOU with CNH Industrial brands Case IH and New Holland.
Known as Guidance for Industry #263, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a recommended process for voluntarily bringing remaining approved animal drugs containing antimicrobials of human medical importance under the oversight of licensed veterinarians by changing the approved marketing status from over-the-counter (OTC) to prescription.
The guidance document outlines a new process for authorizing the use of these antimicrobials to treat animals, including livestock, equine, and companion animals. Owners will be required to obtain a prescription from a veterinarian before accessing antimicrobial drugs considered medically important to human health in forms such as injectables and boluses for their animals.
The change is expected to take effect June 11, 2023. Labels of OTC antimicrobials that are considered medically important to human health will be required to include the following: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian,” and the purchaser must have a prescription or drug order to buy it. Existing inventory of OTC-labeled products that are already in distribution may continue to be sold.
Farmers can prepare by:
Establishing a veterinary-client-patient relationship (if one does not already exist):
A bona fide veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is one in which a veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgements regarding the health of an animal and providing medical treatment to an animal.
Talking to their veterinarian to have a plan in place for securing antimicrobial products when needed, including when a veterinary visit is not feasible or considered necessary by the veterinarian.
Becoming familiar with antimicrobial drugs impacted by the change:
Not every product will be moved to prescription-only status. For a full list of affected drugs, visit FDA’s website.
Examples of products moving to prescription only (source University of Missouri Extension; full list available here):
While the General Assembly was originally scheduled to adjourn this Saturday, unfortunately, that is no longer the case. The House of Delegates and the Senate have been unable to produce a budget conference committee report, therefore the bodies have yet to vote on final adoption of a budget. This means that the General Assembly session will be extended; however, it is unclear at this time for how long.
We will send a comprehensive update of final bills and budget items as soon as possible. In the meantime, please enjoy our annual “smiley face” bill rundown!
Plows and Politics 