Click here for this week’s Commodity Comments, a weekly newsletter designed to provide agricultural producers with an analysis of current market trends by Farm Bureau Market Analyst Jonah Bowles.
This Week’s Commodity Comments: May 27, 2015
Delegates Who Farm Help Educate Their Non-Farming Colleagues
 |
| Delegate Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach |
Delegates who farm said that work affords them a unique understanding of legislation that stands to affect Virginia’s farmers and rural communities.
“Until it is your blood, sweat, tears and money, you do not fully understand the situation of a farmer,” said Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, who has been a hog and grain producer and forest owner since 1975. “This is why we have citizen legislators, so they can have day-to-day experience as citizens and not politicians.”
Knight, who has been a member of the General Assembly since 2009 and also serves as Virginia Beach Farm Bureau’s vice president, said Farm Bureau provides a strong voice to help bridge the gap between farmers and legislators who do not have farming backgrounds.
Legislative support of agricultural issues is an important function of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and it helps that more than half a dozen Virginia delegates are farmers.
Del. Robert Bloxom, R-Mappsville, an aquaculturist on the Eastern Shore, said assembly members with agricultural experience are sought out by other legislators for information regarding bills that would affect farmers.
“Other legislators look to us for answers, which is good, because if they seek information elsewhere, that source may not have the farmers’ interest at heart,” said Bloxom, who has raised oysters and clams for about 20 years.
Del. James Edmunds, R-Halifax, agreed, saying colleagues without an agricultural background “lean upon those of us that do to explain how certain issues will affect our rural lifestyles.” Edmunds operates a Halifax County beef cattle, grain and tree farm and has served in the legislature for six years.
“I believe that it is important for non-ag members of the General Assembly to hear from the farmers when issues arise that they may not understand,” he said.
Farmers Seek Balance in Drone Regulations
As the Federal Aviation Administration drafts final regulations for the use of unmanned aircraft in agriculture, farmers are seeking to protect privacy and reap the benefits of a new tool for precision agriculture.
The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation supported two bills in the 2015 General Assembly that prohibit any government agency or organization from using drones to survey property except during the execution of a search warrant or when an inspection warrant has been issued. The bills also permit drone use for agricultural research and development, along with other exemptions. Both bills recently were signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
“Our members felt unauthorized aerial surveillance of their farms and forests by government agencies would be an invasion of privacy,” said Trey Davis, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations. “This legislation essentially puts some checks and balances into that use of drones, while encouraging our research institutions to find new ways to help farmers improve yields and protect the environment.”
Using unmanned aircraft to take pictures of large farm fields or use temperature and other sensors holds great promise. Virginia Tech has an entire research center, the Virginia Center for Autonomous Systems, dedicated to technology like drones. Sampling microbe data above a farm field is just one of the technologies being studied.
“Precision agriculture is all about using technology to fine-tune our existing crop production techniques and even develop new ones,” Davis said. “One of (farmers’) goals is to apply only as many nutrients as are necessary for a healthy crop. Another is to improve yields across large amounts of acreage. Data from drones could be very useful in accomplishing both goals.”
Draft rules being considered by the FAA include requiring operators to obtain an unmanned aircraft system operator certificate, stay away from bystanders and fly only during the day. They would limit flying speed to 100 mph and altitude to 500 feet. In addition, the aircraft could weigh no more than 55 pounds and would have to remain within the operator’s line of sight.
“This is cutting-edge technology. Commercial drone systems are already being demonstrated to Virginia farmers,” Davis said. “We need balanced regulations to help this new agriculture tool thrive while protecting the privacy of all Virginians.”
This Week’s Commodity Comments: May 20, 2015
Click here for this week’s Commodity Comments, a weekly newsletter designed to provide agricultural producers with an analysis of current market trends by Farm Bureau Market Analyst Jonah Bowles
Who Will Be the Next Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur of the Year?
Entrepreneurs thinking about entering the Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge – with $145,000 in startup funds up for grabs – are encouraged to pay close attention to the entry criteria, as there have been some changes since the inaugural competition.
“New this year, competitors must submit an idea for a business that is related directly or indirectly to food and agriculture,” said Dr. Lisa Benson, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s director of rural development. “This competition aims to address Farm Bureau’s mission to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities. We believe supporting rural businesses that relate in some way to food and agriculture is a winning strategy to accomplish this.”
Businesses directly related to food and agriculture include farms or ranches, processing facilities, value-added food processing, food hubs, community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), farm-to-table restaurants and farmers’ markets. Businesses indirectly related to food and agriculture include support services such as crop scouting, agritourism, ag advertising agencies and ag tech companies that develop apps.
Also new, Farm Bureau will endeavor to connect top-scoring teams with resources for crowdfunding loans to help them jumpstart their businesses.
“Taking a startup company from innovative concept, to strategy, to reality often hinges on access to funding,” Benson said. “The challenge and crowdfunding are great options for small rural business owners to access necessary funding to take their business to the next level.”
Applications for the competition will be accepted beginning June 1 through June 30. Entrepreneurs will compete for $145,000 in startup funds. The challenge, now in its second year, provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations being cultivated in rural regions of the United States. It is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs working on agribusinesses.
Again this year, competitors must be based in a rural community as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Competitors’ primary residences or businesses must be located in a county with less than 50,000 residents or a town with less than 2,500 residents.
The application includes a business plan, video pitch and photo. Judges will review the applications and provide feedback to the participants. Participants have the option of resubmitting portions of their applications based on feedback from the judges; resubmission is optional and participants are not penalized for not resubmitting their applications.
The top 10 teams will be announced on Oct. 15. This includes six teams who will win $10,000 in startup funds and four finalist teams who will win $15,000 in startup funds and compete in a live competition at AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, in January.
Finalists will compete for the grand prize title Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur of the Year and $15,000 in additional startup funds to implement their ideas. One of the finalists also will be honored with the People’s Choice Award and $10,000 in additional startup funding.
The challenge timeline, detailed eligibility guidelines and profiles of the 2015 finalist teams are available online at http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge. A preview of the online application is available. Applications may be submitted online beginning June 1.
Judges for the challenge come from a wide range of economic development backgrounds, including banking, universities and rural development non-profit organizations. Farm Bureau staff at the county, state and national level may not serve as judges.
VSU to Hold Informational Field Days This Spring
Blueberry is the fastest growing crop in many states including North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Market demand for blueberry is high and profit potential for growing locally grown blueberry is considerable. One major issue for blueberry growers is the planting of the new blueberry cultivars (varieties) that are becoming available with superior fruit size, taste, color and disease tolerance.
New and experienced blueberry growers will learn about new and better cultivars for planting.
At Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm a collection of 45 different blueberry cultivars (15-20 plants/cultivars) have set fruit. All are different in terms of cluster density, productivity, plant structure, bush size, vigor, etc. This is an opportunity to see these cultivars and decide which one may be suitable for your future blueberry production.
To register: visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10DymLW5I0jLZ1UXCHD3MEJNktaud03hjhdLdbSS7OmE/viewform?c=0&w=1
Beginning and experienced farmers will learn from Cooperative Extension Specialists about the latest research, trends and proven techniques for maximizing farm profits on limited acreage. USDA representatives will be on hand to explain how government resources can open doors for small farmers. Visit farm-related exhibitors and enjoy an Iron Chef competition demonstrating how to prepare winning meals with locally grown produce.
This Week’s Commodity Comments: May 13, 2015
Click here for this week’s Commodity Comments, a weekly newsletter designed to provide agricultural producers with an analysis of current market trends by Farm Bureau Market Analyst Jonah Bowles.
American Farm Bureau Hails House Passage of ‘Waters’ Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives voted May 12 to overturn a rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency that would redefine which bodies of water and farm activities are subject to EPA oversight.
H.R. 1732 would force the EPA to withdraw its “Waters of the U.S.” rule and develop a new proposal. It will now be considered by the Senate.
The “Waters” rule was cause for concern among the nation’s farmers because it would give the EPA broad jurisdiction over dry land features and farming practices that historically has been relegated to individual States under the Clean Water Act.
Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said House members “sent a strong, bipartisan message that the flawed ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule is unacceptable and should be scrapped. Furthermore, it was refreshing to see members of Congress order regulators back to the drawing board with an admonition to listen to the very real concerns of people who would have their farm fields and ditches regulated in the same manner as navigable streams.”
The AFBF has characterized the “Waters” rule as an end-run around Congress and around U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and Stallman said it focused more on regulating land than on protecting valuable water resources.
“Farmers and ranchers know all about the importance of protecting water, and they will continue to put that belief into practice,” he said. “Through cooperative conservation measures, we have helped cut land erosion by more than 50 percent in just the last 20 years.”
U.S. farmers also have reduced pesticide use and today use cutting-edge technology to apply just the right amount of fertilizer at just the right time, Stallman said.
“We look forward to a new water rule that recognizes the enormous work we have done and honors the limits authorized by Congress and the Supreme Court.”
VFBF President Responds to Politifact Article on Estate Tax
 |
| VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor |
Last week, Politifact published “Hurt amiss in blaming estate tax for sales of family farms and businesses. Here is VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor’s response.
“As a Virginia farmer and president of the state’s largest farmers’ advocacy organization, I would be remiss if I did not point out that PolitiFact Virginia’s “Hurt amiss in blaming estate tax for sales of family farms and businesses” serves to marginalize the threat that the federal estate tax poses to Virginia’s and the nation’s farmers.
The value of family-owned farms typically is tied to illiquid assets such as land, buildings and equipment. A strong appreciation of land values since 2002 has dramatically increased the number of farms that stand to be affected by the estate tax.
USDA reports from 2002 and 2013 indicate Virginia farm real estate appreciated $2,060 per acre—83 percent—in that 11-year period. Virginia cropland values appreciated $2,250 per acre—92 percent—in the same period.
Based on those 2013 land values, farms with more than 1,099 acres, or 1,064 acres of cropland, would reach the $5 million exemption. Based on the 2012 Census of Agriculture, the percentage of Virginia farms that exceed the $5 million exemption has increased from 1 percent to 2 percent, and the number of crop producers who exceed the limit has increased from 1 percent to 3 percent.
Individuals, family partnerships and family corporations own about 97 percent of U.S. farms, and I can assure you that 0 percent of them build and continue their family businesses to ultimately enrich the federal government. Perhaps, as Mr. Fiske asserts, “few families are wealthy enough to be bothered by the estate tax,” but the farm families who are that wealthy are the ones who are producing the majority of the nation’s food, fiber and fuel commodities.
They face a tax that penalizes them for their work and initiative and stands to claim the essentials of their livelihoods.
Virginia Farm Bureau is grateful to Reps. Hurt, Forbes, Goodlatte, Griffith and Wittman for their support on this issue.”
Wayne F. Pryor, President
Virginia Farm Bureau
From the Field: May is National Beef Month
From the Field is a bi-monthly column written by Mark Campbell, Farm Bureau Field Services Director for the Central District. He writes about Farm Bureau member benefits and County Farm Bureau activities.
It’s hard to believe it is May already. The old adage about time going by quicker as we get older is true. While May is when hay making season starts, temperatures in the mid-80s the past few days served as a wakeup call to get the hay equipment out of the sheds and out into the fields.
May is also national beef month and is the beginning of grilling season. Food today encompasses many thoughts and discussions other than just sustenance. In addition to nutrition; consumers consider source, brand, integrity, how it was raised, genetics, technology, price, humane treatment and even environmental impact.
This morning I read this article that came through my email. It is an interesting perspective of a former vegetarian that is also a registered dietician/nutritionist. I give her credit for not only allowing herself to once again enjoy a tasty steak, but she researched her misconceptions for herself. Here is the link. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2015/04/16/the-other-side-of-the-beef-is-bad-story.
She is not alone as many more consumers have misconceptions about beef and other foods. To make matters more complex, the national dietary guidelines advised in one generation to stay away from certain foods like eggs because of cholesterol and then a generation later are now heralded as a great protein source. The same goes for beef. It was bad for your heart. Now beef has been proven to lower bad cholesterol in the Beef in an Optimum Lean Diet (BOLD) study. This year for the first time in history the dietary guidelines factored in environmental impact. These are supposed to be dietary guidelines for nutrition, but the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee delved into environment and sustainability which is considered by many as being beyond the committee’s expertise. I don’t know if the federal dietary guidelines carry as much credibility with the general public as they used to, but the guidelines can still be far reaching as they are considered by federal food programs such as school lunches, nutritionists, and doctors.
So if your food product is being misportrayed, what are you to do? Most all of the commodity groups have lots of factual information for you to use as a resource to share with your doctor, neighbors, and others. These resources are backed by credible research and can be a reliable source for those you may be trying to educate or influence. This can be comforting to the consumer who is bombarded with conflicting messages on a regular basis.
There are also great testimonials on the internet such as https://feedyardfoodie.wordpress.comwhich is a blog by Anne Burkholder. She was raised in an urban setting, but is now an influential leader in the beef industry. Doing a little research of my own, I went to www.beefitswhatsfordinner.comand there was a lot of good information for consumers. The recipes looked good and gave me some new ideas to use ground beef. The www.incredibleegg.org is another good website. I could go on. But if you have not done so, take a look at your commodity’s website. It can be a great resource to refer someone to if you get questions. Happy grilling.
Until next time,
Mark
Plows and Politics 