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Farm Bureau to Offer Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance

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The American Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with American Farm Bureau Insurance Services, has developed a new risk-management insurance product for dairy farmers. Approved by the Agriculture Department’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, “Dairy Revenue Protection” insurance will provide dairy farmers the opportunity to manage risk by focusing on revenue from milk sales.

“We know that the level of risk protection available to dairy farmers was inadequate and we saw a clear opportunity to help by specifically addressing the impact of milk price volatility on a dairy farmer’s revenue,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “This coverage will help shield dairy farmers from unexpected declines in milk prices as well as unexpected declines in milk production by addressing overall revenue. We are excited about teaming up with American Farm Bureau Insurance Services to offer this new risk management tool to dairy farmers.”

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AFBF President: Agriculture and America Need the 2018 Farm Bill Now

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27785818639_cc8c9b5d6a_oFrom AFBF President Zippy Duvall:

Thanks to the hard work of Farm Bureau leaders across this country, we have been sowing the seeds for the 2018 farm bill for many months, but now we need all hands to come out for the harvest. Together, we’ve looked at what works and what doesn’t, and what can be done better. The House Agriculture Committee has heard and heeded the concerns of farmers and ranchers across this country, and they are ready to help deliver the 2018 farm bill we need.

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Take Action: Voice Your Support of the Farm Bill

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Farm BillCongress has introduced the long-awaited Farm Bill (H.R. 2) and it addresses many long-standing issues important to farmers and ranchers:

  • The bill would improve dairy and Agriculture Risk Coverage programs.
  • Much-needed help for cotton farmers is included in the commodity title.
  • The bill proposes improvements to federal crop insurance.
  • Additional proposals include improving conservation programs, the specialty crop program and research and development programs.

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Governor Northam Announces New, Innovative Land Conservation Strategy

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Northam govGovernor Ralph Northam today announced a new land conservation strategy that will focus resources on preserving lands with the highest conservation value for the Commonwealth. Working with state agencies and partners, the administration will first prioritize permanent protection of the top two percent of lands with the highest conservation value, with the goal of achieving protection of the entire top ten percent within the next ten years.

“I believe that we need a land conservation strategy that is focused and targeted toward making measurable progress on our natural resource goals, from restoration of the Chesapeake Bay to providing resilience against sea level rise and other impacts of climate change,” said Governor Northam. “Through this data-driven process, we will prioritize the top ten percent of targeted lands and direct limited resources toward those conservation projects that provide the greatest benefit in the most cost-effective manner.”

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Hemp Farming Act of 2018 introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell

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hempSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced “Hemp Farming Act of 2018” on Thursday that would remove federal barriers to hemp.

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 aims to establish hemp as an agricultural commodity, protect state regimes, add crop insurance, and bolster research. And right off the bat, the bill puts to rest any questions about whether those hemp-derived CBD-rich extracts are indeed legal:

“The term ‘hemp’ means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”

The bill, if successful, would end the debate that has picked apart the hemp plant in piecemeal and end interpretations that hemp-derived extracts rich in cannabinol and other cannabinoids are illicit substances. This would permanently legalize hemp removing it from the purviews of the Controlled Substances Act.

The bill is also backed by Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). A companion bill has been introduced in the House.

AFBF Comments on 2018 Farm Bill Introduction

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27785818639_cc8c9b5d6a_oOn Thursday the House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conway released details on H.R. 2, the Agriculture & Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill).  It is Virginia Farm Bureau’s understanding that the bill will be marked up next Wednesday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m.

Introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill is a critical first step in getting a Farm Bill done this year.

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Submit Comments to Stop the Trade War

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fb372-port-of-richmond2American farmers are already facing low commodity prices and the uncertainty of a ‘trade war’ drives prices even lower hurting farmers and ranchers and rural communities.  Commodity prices will fall as both sides ratchet the trade dispute upward.

China continues to add more agricultural products to its target list which includes beef, cotton, pork, nuts and soybeans to receive tariffs up to 25 percent.  Soybeans and cotton are our top two ag exports to China.

Tell our Trade Representative to negotiate on behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers to reduce tariffs and to open markets for our products!

Comments are being accepted through May 11 and we need your voice to make sure Farm Bureau members are heard loud and clear in the process.

Go to FBadvocacy.org to submit comments.

VALOR Applications for Cohort IV Due April 30

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VALOR apps 2018  

Offering premier leadership development for Virginia’s largest industry, VALOR (Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results) is a two-year program for adults in agriculture who want to develop their communication, problem-solving, and critical- thinking skills, as well as broaden their knowledge of global and local agriculture, in order to become an advocate for agriculture and an industry leader.  Applications are due April 30.

U.S. Soybeans, Cotton, Beef on China’s Most Recent Tariff Target List

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Soybean_fields_at_Applethorpe_FarmFarmers are well-aware markets ebb and flow, but the tariff tit-for-tat between the U.S. and China is testing both the patience and optimism of families who are facing the worst agricultural economy in 16 years, cautioned American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

“Growing trade disputes have placed farmers and ranchers in a precarious position. We have bills to pay and debts we must settle, and cannot afford to lose any market, much less one as important as China’s. We urge the United States and China to return to negotiations and produce an agreement that serves the interests of the world’s two largest economies,” Duvall said in a statement.

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Gov. Northam Names Dr. Jewel Bronaugh VDACS Commissioner

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8889a-dr-hairsonGovernor Northam has appointed Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Dr. Bronaugh is an accomplished leader in the agriculture community, in government, and in higher education.  She brings many years of experience in administrative governance and collaboration from her public service in state and federal government.

After several years teaching, Dr. Bronaugh joined Virginia Cooperative Extension where she served in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Administrator. During her tenure, she developed lasting partnerships with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Department of Forestry, USDA Rural Development and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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