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As the day began on Wednesday- it seemed very unlikely that there was any way that the House would finish work on the 2013 Farm Bill as brought forward by Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas this week.  After all, it had already been announced the final votes of the week were going to be by mid afternoon Thursday.

Well, the procedural debate on the Rule that made 103 amendments "in order" by the Rules Committee got highjacked quickly and the hour of debate turned into almost a 100% bashing of the Committee plan to cut $20.5 billion out of Nutrition spending over a ten year period.  The female lawmakers were especially shrill- and seemed to be looking for new words to describe the cuts proposed by the Ag Committee- one word that popped up was "gargantuan."  Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi weighed in- saying this was all about "the children, the children, the children" as those who were against the cuts swore that the Lucas and his proposed bill would starve children- lots of them.  Rosa DeLauro claimed that a million children would lose food stamps and might certainly starve to death because of this move to slow the growth of food stamp-SNAP spending.  Between the procedural vote and then consideration of Amendment One- the Jim McGovern plan to fully restore all of the cuts- there was a flood of negativity at the front end of the farm bill debate. (later when the recorded vote was finally taken- the Democrats lost in an almost straight line party vote on this issue 188 to 234.)

There were two amendments that could have been contentious as we got past nutrition but were withdrawn by the authors.  One was the move to drastically reduce the so called "target" prices in the Price Loss Coverage program- the other was to mandate conservation compliance for buyers of crop insurance. The second of these withdrawn amendments- the one on crop insurance and the tying of a conservation plan to one buying crop insurance is already in the Senate bill so a full discussion of that is still to come. The first of these amendments was actually something pushed hard by corn and soybean folks who don't like the PLC- their reaction can be read by clicking here. (not pleased)

The debate that really got our attention came a little after nine pm central time last night- the Ron Kind Amendment that would make multiple changes in crop insurance by making sure anyone that farms more than just a couple of hundred of acres would be paying more for crop insurance.  The Rules Committee description of the measure was "Limits premium subsidies to those producers with an AGI under $250,000 and limits per person premium subsidies to $50,000 and caps crop insurance providers' reimbursement of administrative and operating at $900 million and reduces their rate of return to 12%. Introduces transparency into the crop insurance program."   

A really great overview of everything that happened on Wednesday as the debate unfolded on the House floor can be found on Keith Good's blog- FarmPolicy.  Click here for the report issued early this morning by Keith.

The Crop Insurance Battle- and What Lies Ahead Today to Finish House Action  

The debate that really got our attention came a little after nine pm central time last night- the Ron Kind Amendment that would make multiple changes in crop insurance by making sure anyone that farms more than just a couple of hundred of acres would be paying more for crop insurance.  The Rules Committee description of the measure was "Limits premium subsidies to those producers with an AGI under $250,000 and limits per person premium subsidies to $50,000 and caps crop insurance providers' reimbursement of administrative and operating at $900 million and reduces their rate of return to 12%. Introduces transparency into the crop insurance program."   

Chairman Lucas, who had been allowing some of his lieutenants  to handle the arguments opposing various amendments earlier in the evening stepped back to the podium and managed this debate- and at the end of the conversation told the House "Let's not mess up something that works."  We have an audio overview of the day- and the Crop Insurance battle and the defense mounted by Lucas and his ranking member, Collin Peterson, is featured.  Click here to take a listen.

The Kind amendment is one of 17 that will be getting a recorded vote this morning- probably around 8:30 AM central time. After that, consideration of five more amendments will be made- including:

- Reps. Pitts / Davis (IL) / Goodlatte / Blumenauer Amendment [Sugar].

- Reps. Goodlatte / Scott (GA) / Collins (NY) / Moran (VA) / Duffy / Polis / Coffman / Meeks / DeGette / Issa / Sessions / Lee (CA) Amendment [Dairy].

- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Amendment [Payment Limits].

- Reps. Huelskamp / Goodlatte / Neugebauer /Jordan / DeSantis / Stewart (UT) / Bentivolio Amendment [SNAP Work Requirements].

- Reps. Southerland / Westmoreland / Kingston / Bentivolio / Schweikert Amendment [SNAP Requirements].

After these are dealt with and likely given a recorded vote- there should still be time for a final vote on the underlying bill- HR 1947.   Are there 218 votes to pass it?  I think we may know by midafternoon.

Oklahoma Loses Long-Time Agricultural Leader, John Hughes

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry issued the following statement on the death of Bartlesville rancher John Hughes:

It is with tremendous sadness that the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry recognizes the passing of one of Oklahoma's greatest agriculture producers, Mr. John Hughes.

Mr. Hughes has been recognized as a leader in Oklahoma agriculture over his lifetime, contributing to his community and the agriculture industry in a variety of ways. Hughes was most recently inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame by Governor Mary Fallin.

"John Hughes was a legend in Oklahoma agriculture and his contributions to our state and the industry will continue to live on and benefit many generations into the future," said Secretary of Agriculture, Jim Reese.

Click here to read more and to find a link to an interview I did with John Hughes upon his induction into the Agriculture Hall of Fame.  

 

NCBA, AFBF Support Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced in Congress

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation came out in support of the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013, introduced in Congress yesterday by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas). The legislation seeks to abolish the estate tax, which is one of the leading causes of the breakup of multi-generation family farms and ranches.

During a press conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill, both Thune and Brady stated it was time for the estate tax to be repealed. As it currently stands, the estate tax exemption level remains at $5 million ($10 million per couple). Unfortunately, the top tax rate on the value of the estate over the exemption level increased from 35 to 40 percent as part of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations which took place at the beginning of 2013.  

Steve Foglesong, owner of Black Gold Ranch in Astoria, Ill., and past president of NCBA, said during remarks at the conference today that the estate tax is a prime example of bad tax policy and is essentially a death warrant for small-to-medium sized family businesses.  (Click here for more from the NCBA.)  

"Individuals, family partnerships and family corporations own 98 percent of our nation's 2 million farms and ranches," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "When estate taxes on an agricultural business exceed cash and other liquid assets, surviving family partners may be forced to sell land, buildings or equipment needed to keep their businesses running. This not only can cripple a farm or ranch operation, but also hurts the rural communities and businesses that agriculture supports."  (You can read more from Bob Stallman by clicking here.)

Ethanol Industry Lobbyists Take Issue with Motorcycle Association Lobbyists

Leaders of two ethanol industry groups took issue with the American Motorcycle Association's "E15 Fuel for Thought Lobby Day."  Members of the AMA met with their representatives on Capitol Hill yesterday.

"This is a rally without a cause," said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.  "E15 is not mandated for any vehicle and EPA has specifically prohibited its use in motorcycles and other small engines.

 "I guess we should be flattered that AMA would dedicate Members of Congress' and riders' precious time to a fuel option they cannot use and is only available in a handful of gas stations nationwide."  (Click here to read more of Bob Dinneen's comments.)

TSCRA Assists in Truck and Copper Theft Suspect Arrest in Claremore

Authorities have arrested a Chelsea man who they believe is responsible for the May theft of a pickup truck and 3,000 pounds of stranded copper stolen from a ranch near Chelsea, Okla.

Matthew James Fuller, 26, was apprehended Tuesday by the Rogers County Sheriff's Office and charged with burglary II, grand larceny and malicious destruction of private property. He was released on a $5,000 bond.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger John Cummings said that the suspect allegedly broke into the victim's barn, loaded the pickup with three 750-foot coils of large diameter copper cable and drove off. The wire was worth approximately $7,000.

Authorities recovered the pickup from Chelsea Lake June 3, and the copper wire was recovered June 12 in brush on a property in Rogers County. TSCRA had offered a $500 reward through the association's Operation Cow Thief hotline for any information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

Click here for more.

 

This N That- Ag in the Classroom Falls Back, Cattle on Feed and Follow Us on Twitter

The Ag in the Classroom Bus Tour in northwestern Oklahoma fell back an hour yesterday, as they ate lunch in Kenton- the only town in the state that is on Mountain time- Dana Bessinger is along on the trip as state Ag in the Classroom Coordinator and offers us these observations about what we was seen during the day- "We started day two On the Road with Ag in the Classroom with rain. The Panhandlers are so happy to see water puddles. We went to No Man's Land Beef Jerky, a Made In Oklahoma company. Their story is truly inspirational. Next we headed up to the highest point in Oklahoma, Black Mesa. We looked at the cattle, buffalo grass, and heard about the problems with little or no water and School Land leasing. The history in the region is exciting. We saw dinosaur tracks on the Labrier Ranch and a rebuilt homestead on The Hoot Owl ranch. The afternoon continued with a visit to Arthaud Farms. Their operation is truly a family farm. Scott Arthaud gave us a windshield tour of dry land wheat, corn, petit millet, and canola. He discussed the process of over stubble planting. He talked about the importance of and processes of saving water and soil. We also saw some irrigated lands. Several implements were set out for teachers to get up close and photograph. Boise City FFA helped serve supper." These teachers are the cream of the crop and they are getting fresh ideas and inspiration about how to use Ag in the Classroom.

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Our next Cattle on Feed report is tomorrow- June 21st and Rich Nelson with Allendale dropped us an email about what they are expecting in the 2 PM central time report-

"May Placements are expected to be 1.0% lower than last year. Almost any number will be smaller than last year (May 2011 placements were a large 15.1% larger than 2010). Feedlot margins remain negative. Cash cattle prices averaged $125 in May compared with April's 128 and May 2011's $121. Cattle placed in May will be marketed from October through January.

"Allendale anticipates a Marketing total 2.5% lower than May of 2012. There was no calendar adjustment made this month.

"Total Cattle on Feed as of June 1 will be 2.5% smaller than last year. This would be larger than the May 1 survey which showed 3.4% fewer cattle. Market ready cattle numbers are tight now and will transition to adequate by late summer."

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We tweeted a lot yesterday as the House Floor Farm Bill debate unfolded- and you can go back and see what we said and then stick around and follow our reports as the day unfolds with more farm bill action on the floor of the US House.  Click here to jump to our tweets- we invite you to follow us if you are a twitter user.