Senate Adopts Durbin-Coburn Amendment Reducing Crop Insurance Subsidies to Largest Farms 

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) successfully persuaded the Senate yesterday to adopt the Durbin-Coburn amendment to the Senate's version of the farm bill.  The measure passed by a vote of 59-33.  This amendment reduces the level of federal premium support for crop insurance participants with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) over $750,000 by 15 percentage points for all buy-up policies beyond catastrophic coverage.  The amendment is projected to save $1 billion dollars over ten years.

A statement released jointly by Durbin and Coburn said:  "Four percent of the most profitable farmers in America account for nearly 33 percent of all the premium support from the federal government.  All we are asking with today's amendment is for the wealthiest of farmers - those most able to cover more of their own risk - to help us balance out that inequality.  By reducing this unbalanced subsidy for only the top one percent of farmers in America, we can save a billion dollars without putting anyone at risk.  Today's bipartisan vote shows the Senate is capable of reaching across the aisle to tackle the debt with common sense reforms." (Click here to read more.)

We also have an audio summary of the debate- plus the full video of the dance between Stabenow, Durbin and Coburn- click here to listen and look.

We also some additional reaction- that is in our second story in today's email- but we do remind you that this was the last vote on the Senate floor regarding the Farm Bill before the Memorial Day Holiday- they will start back and soldier on thru more amendments on June third.

The Pros and Cons of the Coburn-Durbin Amendment Promoted- EWG and Ag Coalition Farm Policy Facts Weigh In

The Environmental Working Group praised the passage of the Coburn-Durbin amendment we talked about in story one, seeing it as a precursor to further cuts in crop insurance subsidies in the future.  "While the Coburn-Durbin amendment will only reduce subsidies for the largest farms, the amendment sets the stage for more reforms when Congress returns from its upcoming recess.  In particular, the Senate will have the chance to consider an amendment to cap premiums at $50,000 per farmer - the same limits the Senate farm bill applies to other subsidy programs. Other amendments would end windfall profits and improve transparency."  (You can read more for EWG by clicking here.)

Farm Policy Facts released an analysis before the vote was taken, claiming the amendment would result in "a 15 percentage point reduction on the premium discount, which would result in huge increases in the real cost of farmer premiums. For example, for those farmers who purchase 75 percent coverage, premiums would rise by 37 percent. And the lower the level of coverage purchased by farmers (meaning the higher the deductible the farmer must pay) the higher the increase on the percent of their premiums they have to pay. For example, a farmer who purchases 50 percent coverage will see a 45 percent increase in the premiums he or she pays."  (You'll find more from Farm Policy Facts by clicking here.)

By the way- Farm Policy Facts is a coalition of farm and rural groups that are supportive of getting a new five year farm bill- click here to see their website and understand who they are.

NCBA, R-CALF Not on Same Page on Revised COOL Rule

The USDA's release of its final rule on country of origin labeling (COOL) has provoked wildly-divergent reactions from groups representing the cattle industry.  The rule was released Thursday, the deadline the World Trade Organization (WTO) imposed on the United States to modify COOL.  The new rule requires labels to indicate where the cattle were born, raised, and slaughtered.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Scott George, a Wyoming dairy and cattle producer, immediately blasted the rule.  

"We are deeply disappointed with this short-sighted action by the USDA. Our largest trading partners have already said that these provisions will not bring the United States into compliance with our WTO obligations and will result in increased discrimination against imported products and in turn retaliatory tariffs or other authorized trade sanctions. As we said in comments submitted to USDA, 'any retaliation against U.S. beef would be devastating for our producers.' While trying to make an untenable mandate fit with our international trade obligations, USDA chose to set up U.S. cattle producers for financial losses. Moreover, this rule will place a greater record-keeping burden on producers, feeders and processors through the born, raised and harvested label."  (You can read more from the NCBA by clicking here.)

R-CALF USA's response was wildly supportive of the rule.

Rains Bring Drought Relief to More of Oklahoma While Still Neglecting Driest Areas 

This week's Drought Monitor map shows drought marching on in some parts of the state, even as it marches right off the map in others, says Associate State Climatologist Gary McManus. The current rain shows up as a streak from the northwest to southeast, exceeding more than three inches in some localized areas. Flooding hampered recovery efforts in Moore and south Oklahoma City, prompting flood warnings. The amount of rain this week alone is enough to produce changes in both this week's map and also next week's.   Unfortunately, McManus says, there are not nearly enough of those 2-6 inch amounts across western through north central Oklahoma.

Much of eastern Oklahoma is now completely free of drought. At the same time, extreme and exceptional drought increased across western parts of the state.   So, oddly enough, the state's area completely out of drought rose from 17% to 25%, but the area of exceptional drought rose from 10% to 11%. The area with extreme-exceptional drought fell from 33% to 27%.   McManus says the short and sweet explanation is there has been too much rain across central and eastern Oklahoma, and not nearly enough across western Oklahoma and the Panhandle.

There is good news on the horizon, however. McManus says forecasters are now predicting increasing chances for rain in the western part of the state. 

To see the latest maps, please click here.
 

Wheat Producers Should Keep an Eye on Foreign Production Numbers, Kim Anderson Says

In his weekly analysis of grain markets for the SUNUP program, OSU Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson says the just-released foreign wheat production numbers bear some watching by producers here in the U.S. Estimates for production in the European Union and in the former Soviet Union have been raised, causing concerns in this country.

"Since they will compete with us this next marketing year, I think we've got to watch the foreign wheat production in that the USDA is predicting a record wheat crop for the world and they're not predicting a record for consumption, so I think we'll see some building of stocks on the world market this year."

He said corn planting had been running way behind schedule, but producers planted a record 42 million acres last week. "Producers have just worked miracles if they can get that in. Of course, corn prices have backed off a little bit after that report came out and that bleeds over into the wheat market."

Click here to listen to more from Kim Anderson and to see the full lineup for this weekend's SUNUP. 

Animal Agriculture Alliance Deploys Emergency Vet Medical Services to Oklahoma

Shortly after the devastating tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, Dr. Rod Hall, state veterinarian for Oklahoma, extended a formal invitation to American Humane Association's (AHA) Red Star Animal Emergency Services to officially deploy to the disaster in Moore.    

The tornado, reported to be EF-5 strength and two miles wide, touched down in the Oklahoma City area on Monday killing at least 24 people.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the people in Oklahoma as they begin recover and rebuild. Just as people are adversely affected by a natural disaster, so are our animals--both those we keep as pets and those on our farms and ranches," said Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. "The Alliance is encouraging its members to donate to worthy causes which will be on the ground in Oklahoma helping in this devastating storm's aftermath."

AHA's Red Star Animal Emergency Services in Oklahoma will include two large "Big Rig" rescue vehicles which serve as mobile veterinary hospitals and triage centers for animals and also transport crates and medical supplies. The "Rigs" also provide lodging for AHA's staff and first responders.

You can read more of this story by clicking here. 

This N That- Memorial Day Cometh, Roy Lee In the Field and Mike Schulte in the Panhandle

Memorial Day weekend has arrived- and its a bittersweet holiday weekend for Oklahoma- after the tragedy in the Newcastle-Moore area on Monday- and in Shawnee-Carney on Sunday- a lot of folks are more concerned about surviving rather than kicking back and enjoying a three day holiday.  Funerals are being help for the victims of the tornados- President Obama raises the national awarenesss of the tornados on Sunday with a visit to the Moore area and lots and lots of help continues to pour into the area.

For those of you that have given goods, money or in some cases, your time, thank you for caring- more help will always be appreciated as lots of folks have a lot of rebuilding of their lives in the days ahead. As we hear about needs and opportunities to serve- we will pass those along to you.

In the meantime- please stop for a moment and remember that our freedom in this country has relied upon those who have served- many of whom gave their lives in that service to protect America and freedom here at home and abroad.  As I walked around the World War II Memorial in Washington a couple of weeks ago- I was reminded of the service my Dad gave in the Pacific- he came home upright while others he served with did not- and I am thankful for their service and sacrifice.  We each have our own story along these lines- contemplate on that this weekend and especially Monday as our country celebrates Memorial Day. Even though we often don't deserve it- May God Continue to Bless America.

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Our In the Field guest this Saturday morning on KWTV News9 will be our friend Roy Lee Lindsay of the Oklahoma Pork Council- as we talk about how agriculture has responded and helped in the recovery efforts after the outbreak of tornados earlier this week- and we will also talk about summer promotions of pork on behalf of the Oklahoma pork farmers.

Our In the Field segment is seen at about 6:40 AM on Saturday mornings during the morning news segment on News9- and we will have it posted on our website later in the weekend.

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Finally- we are hoping to have a phone interview with Mike Schulte of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission after lunch today- getting his end of the week take on wheat crop conditions in the Panhandle after two wheat plot tour meetings are held today- and we will also be talking to Mike about conditions all across the state- and even harvest might begin.  We will be posting that later today on our website as part of our WheatWatch2013 series of reports that are a service of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.  Be watching for that as we approach the holiday weekend.

There will be NO daily EMAIL on Monday- we will be back on Tuesday after the three day holiday weekend.