Senate Agriculture Committee to Review GMO Labeling Bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee is in the process of moving forward with a GMO Labeling Bill. Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, released a discussion draft of the bill in February, and has...
View ArticleFish Farming Bills Proposed in Michigan
Competing bills in the Michigan House have two very different views of allowing fish farms in Michigan. Michigan Radio Network recently reported that Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Escanaba) has sponsored a bill...
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EPA Fails To Approve Dicamba Herbicide Label in Time for 2016 Growing Season
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to timely finalize product labeling of dicamba herbicides for use on Roundup-ready (RR2X) soybeans, leaving farmers unable to make use of the herbicide...
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Stabenow’s GMO Labeling Bill Could Serve as a Potential Congressional...
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) plans to propose a GMO labeling bill after briefing groups from each side of the debate. Stabenow has shown her proposal to the Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Pat...
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Major Federal Food Safety Law Depends on Individual State Enforcement
In 2011, Congress approved the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act in response to several deadly outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. These outbreaks convinced legislators and food industry groups that the...
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H-2A Delays Cost Farmers Profits and Customers
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are responsible for processing H-2A guest worker visa applications, but farmers are seeing delays of up to two weeks...
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Senate Committee Passes Amendments Aimed at Easing PA 116 Burdens
In March 2016, the Michigan House unanimously passed House Bills 5189, 5190 and 5191, and the bills were subsequently passed by the Michigan Senate Agriculture Committee. The legislation is aimed at...
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Grower Security and Payment Protection Legislation Awaits Senate Approval
On May 5, the Senate Commerce Committee approved Senate Bills 899 and 900. The legislation would strengthen Michigan's Grain Dealer's Act and Farm Produce Insurance Act should a licensed grain dealer...
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H.R. 5240 Introduced to Extend the Biodiesel Tax Credit
In labeling renewable fuel sources such as biodiesel "critical" to the nation's energy future, American Farm Bureau President Ziggy Duvall is encouraging lawmakers to act on the Biodiesel Tax...
View ArticleBalancing Delicate Fish Issues
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on April 12, 2016; republished with permission. Aquaculture versus commercial fishing is becoming a hotly contested issue in the Michigan legislature....
View ArticleBiobased Products: The Government’s Choice?
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on May 6, 2016; republished with permission. In late April, the Michigan House of Representatives approved a bill intended to help support Michigan farmers....
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Michigan Animal Remedies Program Ending this Fall
Governor Snyder signed Public Act 257 of 2016 into law on June 27, 2016. PA 257 repeals the entire Michigan Livestock and Poultry Remedies Act (PA 134 of 1929) which regulates the sale of livestock...
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GMO Labeling Bill Signed into Law
On July 29, 2016, President Obama signed into law a bill that creates a federal labeling standard for foods containing genetically modified organism ingredients (GMO's). According to AgriPulse, the...
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USDA Announces Assistance for Milk Producers
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced financial assistance to American dairy producers, in the amount of approximately $11.2 million dollars, according to a news release from...
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IRS Rule May Result in Higher Taxes for Farmers
Recently released proposed IRS regulations may reduce the tax advantages of certain common estate and gift tax planning techniques used in estate planning. This could result in higher taxes for...
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New FAA Drone Rules to Impact Agriculture
In June, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) under 55 pounds. These rules went...
View ArticleWhat’s All the Fuss About Fracking?
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on August 9, 2016; republished with permission. Michigan's sand dunes and hundreds of miles of shoreline are some of the most notable characteristics of our...
View ArticleTrump’s Ag Advisory Committee Against Bringing Back COOL
Reports have emerged that President-elect Donald Trump's plans for his first 100 days may have had COOL (country of origin labeling) included in a potential renegotiation of the North American Free...
View ArticleEPA Releases 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes
The EPA released its Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes at the end of November. The RFS program was established by Congress to spur the development of biofuels in the U.S. transportation sector in...
View ArticleCorn Growers Concerned Over EPA’s Atrazine Report
According to AG Web, corn farmers are deeply concerned over EPA's recent report regarding Atrazine and its proposal to restrict the use of the approved, safe herbicide. In an ecological risk...
View ArticleSenator Stabenow Introduces Urban Agriculture Act of 2016
This fall, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow announced plans to introduce the Urban Agriculture Act of 2016, legislation that would support urban farming initiatives and increase access to healthy food....
View ArticleWho Will Bear the Brunt of a NAFTA Renegotiation?
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on February 9, 2017; republished with permission. President Trump's plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) give rise to a...
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Michigan Agri-Business Leaders Urge Trade Deals to Continue
In January, several of Michigan's agriculture leaders wrote to the Trump Administration emphasizing the value of agricultural trade for Michigan's economy and agricultural success. Trump often spoke...
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Ag Committee Approves the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act
In February, the House Agriculture Committee approved the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act (H.R. 953), legislation that would eliminate the duplicative permit requirement (National Pollution Discharge...
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Solar Leases Mean Michigan Farmers Could Lose Tax Incentives
According to the Midwest Energy News and the Huron Daily Tribune, state officials recently warned that farmers will have to decide between getting state tax credits under the Michigan Department of...
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Michigan Blueberry Producers Vote to Establish Michigan Blueberry Research...
The state's blueberry producers approved a referendum establishing a Michigan Blueberry Research & Education Program. A new Michigan Blueberry Commission (made up of seven Michigan blueberry...
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Organic Production Rules Delayed by Trump Administration’s Executive Order
The Obama Administration's Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule was delayed by 60 days (until May 19) under an executive order signed by President Trump. The rules amended requirements for...
View ArticleDon’t Forget the Form When You Buy the Farm
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on September 8, 2016; republished with permission. Farmland is bought and sold every day in Michigan, and often without any thought of a short form known as...
View ArticleBack to the Drawing Board for Farmers, DEQ on Wetlands
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on March 2, 2017; republished with permission. Back in July, 2013, after years of stakeholder meetings, negotiations and debates over whether preservation of...
View ArticleExecutive Order Brings New Level of Ag Labor Uncertainty
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on March 15, 2017; republished with permission. Employers should prepare for immigration enforcement impact. President Trump signed executive orders on...
View ArticleWhat’s the Status of WOTUS?
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on April 3, 2017; republished with permission. On Feb. 28, President Trump issued an Executive Order instructing the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...
View ArticleCreate a Gun Trust
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on May 3, 2017; republished with permission. I am frequently asked "what is a gun trust and when should I create one?" The short answer is that gun trusts...
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Michigan Farmers have High Hopes for the 2018 Farm Bill
On May 6, 2017, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) joined Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) at a Hearing in Frankenmuth, Michigan to discuss the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill. In Roberts’...
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Proposed Bill Would Create Safeguards Against Agricultural Worker Deportation
In early May, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced the Agricultural Worker Program...
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New Worker Protection Standards Emphasize Safe Pesticide Handling Through New...
On January 2, 2017, new Worker Protection Standards (WPS) took effect, modifying the training requirements for agricultural workers and handlers of pesticides. New standards require employers to train...
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NAFTA Renegotiation Would Intend to Benefit Farmers, Ranchers
In recent weeks, the Trump administration took the first step toward renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative (USTR), sent a...
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Timeline for Implementation of Pesticide Applicators Rule Lengthened by the EPA
On May 11, 2017, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced a 12-month extension on the implementation of the revised final Certification and Training of Pesticide Applicators Rule. The extension is...
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Obama Administration’s Organic Animal Welfare Rule Postponed a Second Time
For the second time, the effective date of the Organic Animal Welfare Rule (OAWR) proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture during the last days of the Obama administration has been...
View ArticleTips to Prepare Now for H-2A Next Year
Originally published by Michigan Farm News on July 6, 2017; republished with permission. As more employers plan to use the H-2A program, completing the following items this year will make an easier...
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U.S. Court of Appeals Rules on Renewable Fuel Standard Battle
In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of renewable fuels advocates, including the Americans for Clean Energy and the National Corn Growers Association,...
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President Trump Signs the “Securing our Agriculture and Food Act”
President Trump recently signed the “Securing our Agriculture and Food Act” (H.R. 1238). The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs for the...
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National Milk Producers Federation Working to Improve Labor Challenges
USAgNet.com recently reported that National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern praised the work of Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) for offering an amendment to the U.S. Department...
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American Farm Bureau Federation Establishes Goals for Farm Bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has outlined the organization’s key objectives for the 2018 Farm Bill. It recently relayed goals and recommendations to congressional leaders in advance of...
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Michigan Agriculture Bills Passed Before Summer Recess
A set of agriculture bills to clarify ag exemptions were passed in the Michigan House before summer recess. Majority floor leader Dan Lauwers told Brownfield Ag News that one of the bills builds upon...
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MI Farmers React to EPA Announcement to Formally Rescind WOTUS Rule
Michigan farmers have actively challenged the necessity of the Obama administration’s Water of the U.S. or WOTUS Rule. Michigan Farm Bureau Associate National Legislative Counsel John Kran recently...
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MCARD and MDARD Seek Public Input on GAAMPs
The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently announced a public input meeting and review period for the 2018...
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The Agricultural Guestworker Act Gaining Ground
In October, the Agricultural Guestworker Act of 2017 (House Resolution 4092), introduced by U.S. Rep. John Goodlatte (R-Va.), was passed by the House Judiciary Committee and sent to the full House....
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Office of Great Lakes Moves from DEQ to DNR
Gov. Rick Snyder recently issued Executive Order 2017-9 which moves the Michigan Office of Great Lakes from the DEQ to the DNR. "Protection and management of the Lakes is critical to our future," said...
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State Seeks to Avoid TB ‘Nuclear Option’
According to the Michigan Ag Connection and Michigan Farm News, Michigan livestock farmers are closely monitoring current discussions between Michigan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)...
View ArticleNew EPA Air Emissions Reporting Requirements Start Nov. 15
(Editor's Note: This advisory has been updated with new information. Please see addendum below.) Originally published by Michigan Farm News on November 9, 2017; republished with permission. Beginning...
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