Farm Bureau to Congress: Stand Up for Farmers in CR Dispute
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall delivered a letter to Congress urging elected leaders to stand with farmers as they reconsider the contents of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government and potentially offer a lifeline to farmers and ranchers. Below are excerpts from the letter.
“Any alternative Continuing Resolution (CR) must include: a farm bill extension, aid to rebuild after natural disasters, economic assistance to bridge the gap until we can get to a new farm bill, and year-round E-15 sales.”
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Farmers Ask Congress to Pass Critical Assistance
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall today is asking Congress to pass the continuing resolution bill that includes support for farmers.
“I know I speak for farmers across the country when I say thank you to Speaker Johnson, Leaders Jeffries, Schumer and McConnell, and many other members of Congress for recognizing the incredibly difficult agricultural economy by including in the year-end legislation: much-needed economic assistance for farmers; emergency aid for communities devastated by natural disasters; a farm bill extension; and for making E-15 available at fuel pumps all year long.
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AFBF Calls For A No Vote If Congress Ignores Ag Recession
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today expressed disappointment that Congress appears to turn a blind eye to the agricultural recession in its year-end supplemental legislation. Duvall calls on farm state members to oppose the bill if economic aid for farmers is missing.
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Congress Must Not Duck Its Duty
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2024 – American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the lack of Congressional action in the lame duck session to address the immediate needs of farmers and rural America.
“Now that Congressional leaders signaled plans for yet another extension of the farm bill instead of modernizing it, it is imperative that they address the well-defined and fully substantiated needs of farmers just trying to hold on for another season.
“The recent hurricanes wreaked havoc on farms across the southeast, leaving some farmers with massive losses. They need disaster aid to recover and rebuild. Additionally, the projected two-year drop in net farm income of more than $40 billion dollars demonstrates the seriousness of the overall agricultural downturn. Without a new farm bill to help farmers manage risk, Congress must act to help bridge the gap through economic relief to help farmers cope with inflation, high supply costs and decreasing commodity prices.
“The frightening financial pinch farm families across the country are experiencing is real. There is clear evidence all around us: land auctions are on the rise; equipment purchases have slumped; and lenders are warning that operating loans are in jeopardy without some assurance farmers are going to be able to repay the loans. Today, the books just aren’t balancing.
“We’ve lost 141,000 farms in five years and no one wants to lose more. Americans overwhelmingly want Congress to act: 78 percent say U.S. lawmakers should prioritize legislation that supports farmers and ranchers. The window is narrowing for Congressional action. The time is now. I urge lawmakers to stand with rural America.”
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AFBF On Ag Producers Income Drop Of $41B In Two Years
USDA's December 2024 farm income forecast confirms just how tough a year it's been for American agriculture, with slightly revised projections offering little relief to farmers, who are losing nearly a quarter of their income in two years. Net farm income is now projected at $140.7 billion for 2024, down $6 billion (4.1%) from 2023 and $41.2 billion (22.6%) from the $181.9 billion peak in 2022
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Farm Bureau Appreciates Court-Ordered Pause in Filing Requirements
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on a nationwide injunction ordered by the federal court in the Eastern District of Texas halting enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The requirement essentially requires the filing of private business ownership information with the federal government.
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Overreaching Department of Labor Rule Halted Nationwide
AFBF and other industry coalition members achieved a crucial win yesterday that will help farmers across the country. AFBF and its partners were granted a preliminary injunction by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi barring the Department of Labor (DOL) from enforcing its Worker Protection Rule extending unionization rights to H-2A visaholders.
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Each Thanksgiving Dinner Requires a National Effort
As friends and family sit down for a Thanksgiving dinner, very few are aware that the feast on their table is a culmination of efforts of farmers from every corner of the United States. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the production of the ingredients that go into a classic Thanksgiving dinner, detailing which states produce the most commodities and the production value of those items. The Market Intel provides context to AFBF’s annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey, which found the average cost of this year’s classic holiday dinner for 10 is $58.08, or about $5.80 per person.
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AFBF Comments on Nomination of Brooke Rollins for Agriculture Secretary
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the nomination of Brooke Rollins for Secretary of Agriculture.
"We congratulate Brooke Rollins on her nomination to be Secretary of Agriculture. We're pleased she has a good relationship with our state Farm Bureau in Texas and hope to build on it if she's confirmed by the Senate.”
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Traditional Thanksgiving Meal Cheaper in Louisiana Than National Average
Although grocery prices remain high historically nationwide, they have dropped for a second year in a row.
Louisiana consumers will spend even less this Thanksgiving. According to a statewide sample of prices for the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey, Louisiana residents should expect to spend $12.24 less than the national average for a classic Thanksgiving dinner for ten people.
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Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines – Remains Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels
Cooking a Thanksgiving feast for your friends and family will cost less than last year but will still be more expensive than before the pandemic. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 39th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which is $58.08 or about $5.80 per person.
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Lt. Col. Dan Rooney to Keynote American Farm Bureau Convention
Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot, will address attendees as mid general session keynote speaker during the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention on Sunday, Jan. 26. Rooney is founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit foundation that provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. The foundation has provided nearly 62,000 military and first responder families with $290 million in scholarships since its founding in 2007.
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Inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence Presented
A newly established award recognizes veterans or service members for excellence in farming or agriculture and positively impacting local communities. Retired Army Col. Joe Ricker of Indiana is the first recipient of the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence presented by the American Farm Bureau Federation with support from Farm Credit.
Ricker served 30 years in the Army before retiring from a logistics post at the Pentagon in 2022. His service also included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country.
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Farm Bureau Congratulates President-Elect Trump
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the election of Donald Trump to be the 47th President of the United States of America.
“Farm Bureau congratulates President-elect Donald Trump on his election to lead our great nation, as well as the representatives and senators elected to serve in the 119th Congress. We are committed to working with our nation’s leaders to strengthen agriculture and rural America, and we look forward to continuing that work in the days ahead.
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Farm Bureau: A New Farm Bill Would Solve a Lot of Current Ag Issues
Lawmakers are expected back on the Hill after tomorrow’s election, and farm groups are hoping they take action for America’s producers.
“A new farm bill would have taken care of a lot of these issues. But because we don’t have that farm bill, we have different needs across the country that have not been met by Congress,” said Joe Gilson.
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