In this issue: GF&P
Interim Review Committee
YF&R Summerfest
Ag Summit 2008
Policy Backgrounders available
Tomato Growers Lose $100 million in salmonella scare
No differences found in the composition of conventional,
rbST-Free, and organic milk
This August, flex your political muscle
How the Candidates view farm policies
Farm Bill Informational meetings
Ballot Question Pamphlet available
Bill Bradley to deliver keynote at AFBF Convention
DakotaFest
Quote of the Day
Upcoming events:
GF&P legislative interim review – August 11-12,
Pierre
YF&R SummerFest – August 16, Pierre
Ag Summit 2008 – August 16, Union Center
GOAC meeting – August 19, Pierre
Dakota Fest – August 19-21, Mitchell
Century Farms recognition – August 28, Huron
South Dakota State Fair – August 28-September 1, Huron
Ag Land Assessment Advisory Task Force meeting –
September 8, Pierre
Highway Needs & Financing interim study – September
24-25, Pierre
SDFB Annual Meeting – November 21-22, Sioux Falls
National Farm-City Week – November 21-27
AFBF Annual meeting – January 11 – 14, San Antonio, TX
GF&P
interim Review Committee
The interim legislative committee conducting
a review of the Department of Game, Fish & Parks meets
for the second time tomorrow and Tuesday. The agenda
includes presentations on GF&P land acquisition, rules
promulgation, public access and landowner preference
programs, trespass law, and the open fields doctrine.
Public testimony is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday)
from 10:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The meeting starts at
9:00 a.m. on the third floor of the Capitol Building in
Pierre.
YF&R
SummerFest
Remember…the Young Farmers and Ranchers
Committee is hosting a SummerFest next Saturday, August
16, at the Oahe Downstream Park near Pierre. This is a
chance for young people with an interest in agriculture
to gather for fun, fellowship, and relaxation. The
festivities start at 11:00 a.m., with lunch served about
1:00 p.m.
Ag
Summit 2008 ~ August 16, 2008
Central Meade County Community Center, Union Center
9:00
Registration, coffee
9:30
Kirk Chaffee & Michael Kenyon - SD Property
Taxes
10:45 Bill Even - State of Ag Address
11:05 Bruce Knight - National Ag Address;
COOL; NAIS
11:25 Q & A
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Panel Discussion on Animal ID/ Q & A
Moderator: Secretary Bill Even
Dr. Sam Holland -Why ID?
o
Marketing –
Ownership – Animal Health
(voluntary) (mandatory) (mandatory)
Undersecretary Knight - What is NAIS?
SD Panel and
Undersecretary Knight – Who’s Concerned about What?
SD Panel
Members:
Dr. Sam
Holland
SDSGA
SDCA
Farm Bureau
Farmers
Union
Questions
from audience
Secretary
Bill Even - Consensus on Directions for South Dakota
with respect to Animal ID
1:30 Governor Mike Rounds (tentative)
Hosted by:
Moderator:
Rep. Larry Rhoden
Senator Kenny McNenny
Representative Larry Rhoden
Representative Tom Brunner
|
Event Sponsors:
South Dakota Farm Bureau
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association
KBHB Radio
Tri-State Livestock
Farmers State Bank- Faith
Wells Fargo Bank – Sturgis
First Western Bank – Sturgis
Cenex of Union Center, Sturgis, Belle Fouche
|
Summit Panelists:
South Dakota Governor M. Michael Rounds
SD Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even
USDA Undersecretary of Marketing and Regulatory
Programs Bruce Knight
Dr. Sam Holland - SD Animal Industry Board
Kirk Chaffee - Meade County Tax Assessor
Michael Kenyon - SD Dept. of Revenue
Larry Nelson - SD Stockgrowers Association
Jason Madsen - SD Farmers Union
Scott VanderWal – SD Farm Bureau
Scott Jones - SD Cattlemen’s Association |
Policy Backgrounders Available
As Farm Bureau members go through the annual
policy development process, backgrounders on several
issues have been prepared by SDFB staff and by AFBF
staff. The backgrounders are available on the SDFB
website (http://sdfb.fb.org/).
South Dakota issues include:
Livestock Brand Inspection
Eminent Domain for Railroads
Highway Funding
State Biofuels Support
National issues:
Agricultural Sustainability
Climate Change / Global Warming
Food Safety and Labeling
Noncommercial Feed Safety Regulation
Rural Schools
Transportation
Over the next few weeks, a
backgrounder will be included at the end of each
Leader Connection. This week’s issue is Livestock
Brand Inspection.
Remember, Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization,
meaning that our policy direction comes from the members
to the Board of Directors, and from the Board to the
staff. Policy discussions start at the county Farm
Bureau level. Please take time to make your voice heard
at your county policy development meetings.
The
process, in brief:
·
Policy adopted at the County Farm Bureau
level dealing with local issues becomes county policy
·
Resolutions receiving a majority vote that
deal with state or national issues are forwarded to the
State Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee. This committee
is comprised of each County Farm Bureau president, and
is chaired by the vice-president of the SDFB.
·
The state resolutions committee prepares a
report for the SDFB delegate body to consider at the
annual meeting coming up in November in Sioux Falls.
o
The committee will combine resolutions
that are similar in nature
o
Resolutions that are already reflected in
SDFB policy will be returned to the county with an
explanatory note
o
Resolutions may also be returned to a
county for clarification, if needed.
o
Any resolution that is returned to a
county Farm Bureau may be brought up at the annual
meeting
·
During the SDFB annual meeting, the
delegate body considers the resolutions report and will
discuss, amend if needed, and vote on each resolution.
o
The delegate body is comprised of
producer-members of SDFB
o
Each county automatically has two
delegates
o
Each county is eligible to send an
additional delegate for each 100 producer-members in its
county Farm Bureau
o
Resolutions receiving a majority vote
dealing with state issues become SDFB policy.
o
Resolutions dealing with national issues
are forwarded to the AFBF and undergo a similar process.
Tomato Growers Lose $100 million in salmonella scare
Tomato growers say they lost an estimated
$100 million in sales during the Food and Drug
Administration’s investigation of the recent salmonella
investigation, according to an article in the
Washington Post. The article goes on to highlight
the difficulty of dealing with food safety concerns, as
well as the limited recourse available for growers of
produce implicated in food safety scares.
No
differences found in the composition of conventional,
rbST-Free, and organic milk
A study recently printed in the Journal of
the American Dietetic Association indicates that “there
are few and minor differences in the composition of
conventional, rbST-free, or organic labeled milk, and
that all milk is wholesome.”
While
minor differences were observed in milk composition for
the three labels, the differences were not “biologically
meaningful.” The coauthors of the study concluded that
label claims “were not related to any meaningful
differences in the milk compositional variables
measured.” The only difference among conventional, rbST-free
and organic milk is price, according to the study, with
milk labeled rbST-free or organic selling for anywhere
from $1 to $4 more per gallon than conventional milk.
This August, Flex Your Political Muscle
By Tracy
Taylor Grondine, director of media relations for the
American Farm Bureau
As the adage goes, “all politics is
local.” And no one knows this better than grassroots
Farm Bureau members, who have a long history steeped in
political affairs and community involvement. They know
when it comes to using political muscle – something that
every citizen has who holds a vote – the local political
arena is the place to start.
As congressional
members head back to their districts for August recess,
there is no better time for constituents to make their
impact on politics than by visiting with their elected
officials. It is an opportunity for producers to build
relationships and discuss their challenges and concerns
with their political leaders on their home turf.
This August also
provides a unique opportunity for producers to give
their congressional members food for thought as they
head to their party conventions later in the month and
the beginning of September. As party platforms are
adopted and presidential candidates officially
nominated, agriculture must have its voice heard.
Further, with the
election cycle in full swing, getting involved with a
campaign has never been easier. Volunteering for voter
registration or get-out-the-vote (GOTV) activities is a
good opportunity to have one’s voice heard. And usually,
candidates who win their races remember the dedicated
work of their supporters after they take public office.
And if running for
public office is more your fancy, there’s no better
place to start than locally. Whether it’s running for
the school board, county commission or state
legislature, taking on an elected leadership role is in
everyone’s grasp. Take for instance Steve Kouplen,
former Oklahoma Farm Bureau president, who recently won
his statehouse primary race. Kouplen, like most
dedicated leaders, wanted to make a difference within
his state and be part of the decision making process
when it comes to agricultural issues.
Currently, there are
many local and statewide initiatives playing out around
the country, many of which affect producers. Getting
involved in such initiatives is not only a good
opportunity for farmers and ranchers, it is their
responsibility. Every citizen bears the weight of
upholding and maintaining our democratic
system—especially when the outcome could directly impact
one’s industry.
At the close of the
Constitutional Convention in 1787, a bystander asked
Benjamin Franklin, “Well doctor, what have we got -- a
republic or a monarchy?”
“A republic, if you can
keep it,” responded Franklin.
Being involved locally
helps our democracy thrive. And everyone can play a
part, whether they run for office, volunteer on a
campaign or just be a voice for agriculture at town hall
meetings and other public forums.
It all comes down to
what each of us can do to help strengthen our
communities by making our voices heard and flexing our
political muscle.
How the candidates view farm policies
An Associated Press article appearing in the
Miami Herald provides the following analysis of
how presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama
view farm polices:
McCain
·
Opposed a $300 billion farm bill approved
by Congress this year over President Bush's veto.
·
Opposes subsidies to divert corn into
ethanol production
·
Supports trade expansion through
negotiations "to lower trade barriers, decrease
trade-distorting subsidies and stabilize an affordable
food supply for all nations."
·
Calls for "reasonable reforms to our crop
insurance program and our system of countercyclical and
direct aid payments."
·
Would cap subsidies to farmers who have
adjusted gross income of $250,000 or more, while
providing small farmers with "a reasonable safety net."
·
Pledges to press Agriculture Department
officials to research drought-resistant and higher-yield
crops.
·
Supports indexing the food stamp program
"to reflect the current cost of living."
·
Would provide "marketing tools" for the
fruit and vegetable industries.
Obama
·
Supports the farm bill, though he said he
favored tighter payment limits and a ban on ownership of
livestock by meatpackers.
·
Calls for spending $150 billion over 10
years for alternative energy sources such as solar and
wind as well as advanced biofuels.
·
Backs a renewable fuels standard that
encourages use of ethanol and other advanced biofuels,
such as cellulosic ethanol produced from switchgrass and
wood chips. Wants a goal of producing 2 billion gallons
of advanced biofuels by 2013.
·
Voted for a measure giving tax breaks to
wind energy developments, credited for 45 percent growth
in the industry last year. Has set a goal of 25 percent
of the nation's electrical production coming from
renewable sources by 2025.
·
Would require petroleum makers to reduce
the carbon content of fuel by 1 percent a year beginning
in 2010 through the use of alternative fuels.
Farm Bill informational meetings
FSA is holding farm bill informational
meetings. The remaining meetings are scheduled for:
Monday, August 11
Gettysburg Fairgrounds 4 pm
Tuesday, August 12 Aberdeen Kessler tent
on fairgrounds 11am
Wednesday, August 13 Miller High school
theater 7 pm
Thursday, August 14 Parker Fairgrounds
1:30 pm
Wednesday, September 3 Howard Extension
building 1 pm
Ballot Question Pamphlet available
Secretary of State Chris Nelson has prepared
a ballot question pamphlet which includes information on
the seven ballot questions voters will decide on during
the November 4, 2008, election. The pamphlet is on the
Secretary of State’s website
http://sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/electvoterpdfs/2008SouthDakotaBallotQuestionPamphlet.pdf.
In addition, it will be available in mid-September at
every county auditor’s office, each public library, and
the State Library.
The
pamphlet includes the title of each ballot question, the
attorney general’s explanation of the measure, and
statements both “for” and “against” the measure which
were submitted by proponents and opponents of each
ballot question.
The
October issue of the SDFB Ag Leader will also
contain information of each of the seven ballot
measures.
Bill Bradley to deliver keynote at AFBF Convention
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley will deliver
the keynote address at the American Farm Bureau
Federation’s 90th annual convention, set for Jan. 11-14,
2009, in San Antonio, Texas.
“Bill
Bradley is a respected bipartisan statesman who is well
known for his ability to bring people together to solve
problems,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Senator
Bradley’s comments will be particularly well suited for
Farm Bureau’s annual convention in January because a new
president and a new Congress will be coming into office.
He will provide valuable insights on what the new
president must do to achieve public policy success.”
The San
Antonio convention will also have a schedule change from
previous conventions with Stallman launching the opening
general session at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, January 11 with the
President’s Address.
“Farm
Bureau members will certainly enjoy being in San Antonio
in January with the historic River Walk and world
renowned Tejano culture,” Stallman said. “I particularly
look forward to welcoming my Farm Bureau friends from
across the country to my home state of Texas.”
DakotaFest
If you are going to
DakotaFest next week in Mitchell, please be sure to stop
by the Farm Bureau red and white hoop building on the
east end of the fairgrounds.
You
are Invited ......
“Threshers
Lunch 2008”
When: Wednesday
August 20, 2008
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where:
Dakota
Fest ~ Mitchell
Farm Bureau red and white
hoop building, lot #447
Cost:
The
value the farmer receives for the meal
Menu:
Hamburger, brats, buns, chips, milk, relish
Proceeds
will be donated to the SD Farm Bureau Scholarship
Foundation
The FFA
Foundation will also be serving ice cream on Wednesday
in the Farm Bureau building.
Quote of the Day:
“To die for an idea is to set a rather high price
upon conjecture.” – Anatole France (1844-1924)
SDFB Policy
Development
Livestock Brand Inspection
July 2008
Issue:
The hot-iron brand inspection program for cattle and
horses is the responsibility of the State Brand Board, a
five-member board appointed by the Governor. For many
years the board has contracted with the SD Stockgrowers
Association to provide the inspection service. Recent
contract negotiations broke down between the Brand Board
and the Stockgrowers Association. Since July 1, the
Brand Board is administering the brand inspection
program itself and not contracting with an outside
entity to perform inspections.
Background:
Cattle, horses, and mules in the 22 counties west of
the Missouri River must be inspected for hot-iron brands
before they leave the West River area or when they are
sold. There is no requirement for livestock owners to
brand their cattle or horses. In addition, although no
inspection is required, owners in eastern South Dakota
also may brand their cattle or horses if they have a
brand registered with the State Brand Board.
There have been publicly-expressed
concerns about how well the brand inspection program
serves the needs of the cattle industry. Concerns
include lack of training for inspectors, lack of
inspectors or unwillingness of inspectors to perform
inspections, and lack of accountability of inspection
fees. Under the contract which expired July 1, the
Brand Board paid all the expenses and associated costs
of the program, including such things as rent and
insurance, plus paid the Stockgrowers an “implementation
fee.” This year, the Brand Board will pay the
Stockgrowers $90,000 over and above all associated
expenses.
The Stockgrowers rejected a
contract offered by the Brand Board which would have
netted $25,000 to $35,000 for the Association.
SD Farm Bureau Policy:
Livestock Identification and Theft Protection
The Farm Bureau encourages the
brand inspection program become statewide and
administered by the SD Brand Board.
We oppose any effort to legalize
freeze brands for ownership identification.
Questions:
Are inspections for hot-iron brands, in the western
half of the state only, a valuable tool for the
livestock industry?
2)
Is a mandatory hot-iron brand inspection system
needed?
3)
If an inspection program is needed, what is the
most efficient and effective method of running an
inspection program?