Around the Dome
Dwayne O’Dell, Director of Government Relations
I hope July is going well for
each of you. July and August
bring lots of hot weather and
many county fairs to West
Virginia.
The futures markets for
corn and soybeans have been
very volatile. As of this
writing, soybeans have been over $11.00, which
is the highest in more than 2 years. Currently, the
market is under pressure due to USDA reports in
mid-July. Recent data indicate some improvement
in consumer demand for beef. However, the futures
market indicates a downward slide in fed cattle and
feeder cattle prices. Keep in mind, only 16 cents
of every dollar spent by consumers winds up in the
hand of the farmer or producer.
Recently, the American Farm Bureau Federation
received notice of the United States Supreme Court
ruling that landowners may challenge the federal
government whenever the Army Corps of Engineers
tries to improperly regulate land use. Landowners
may now challenge the Corps rulings known as
“jurisdictional determination”. When the Corps asserts
jurisdiction over low spots that look more like land
than water, it will have to do so with the knowledge
that its rulings can be challenged in court. Farmers
and ranchers can now have their day in court. Many
believe that the Supreme Court is now concerned
about the reach of the Clean Water Act, as three
justices wrote separate concurring opinions regarding
systematic consequences of the Act.
A new report from the National Academies of
Science found “no substantial evidence of risk
to GMO crops, nor did the study find conclusive
cause/effect evidence of environmental problems”.
Additionally, the research surprisingly found no
evidence of increased yields. Studies with animals
and research on chemical composition of GE foods
revealed no difference and therefore found no support
for mandatory labeling of GMO foods.
USDA recently released its 14-page notice to
completely rewrite and modernize the pre-market
biotechnology regulatory framework called “Part
340”. AFBF has been somewhat supportive of
the review. However, AFBF cautions APHIS of
unintended consequences that reduce or delay future
technology development. A number of organizations
have likewise cautioned USDA, including the United
Fresh Produce Association, National Grain & Feed
Association, American Seed Association and others.
Senator Grassley of Iowa has introduced a bill
that would amend the Packers & Stockyards Act of
1921 to prevent meatpackers from owning, feeding,
or controlling livestock for more than 7 days prior
to slaughter. The bill includes an exemption for
members/owners of co-ops for any that are not covered
by mandatory price reporting and single plant packers.
This bill is similar to ones introduced in 2003, 2005,
2007, and 2012. AFBF policy encourages USDA
see O’Dell, page 19
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West Virginia Farm Bureau News 5