SDFB Members to Attend National Farm Bureau Meeting

 Twenty-five South Dakota Farm Bureau members will be in Salt Lake City next week for the 88^th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation.  Nearly 5,000 members are expected to attend the annual meeting of the nation’s largest general agricultural organization.

 Two resolutions adopted by South Dakota delegates will be discussed during the organization’s policy development session.  The first resolution asks for support of the industry-wide beef checkoff task force report.  The task force made four recommendations:  an opportunity to petition for referendum, adjusting the checkoff rate to offset 20 years of inflation, better understanding of the federation of state beef councils, and making the checkoff more inclusive.  The second resolution asks that groups who file and lose lawsuits to prevent timber harvest be held responsible for economic losses caused by the delays of their appeal.

SDFB President Scott VanderWal, Volga, said that delegates will also discuss issues affecting national farm policy including the 2007 Farm Bill, animal identification, and horse slaughter and the need to protect property rights.  Other topics will include biofuels and energy, as well as international trade. 

 “Scenic Vistas, Expanding Horizons” is the theme for the meeting.  In addition to the policy development session, other highlights of the AFBF convention include a keynote address by long-time ABC News anchor Sam Donaldson, performances by country musician Michael Martin Murphey and cowboy poet and humorist Baxter Black, as well as professional development seminars. 

- 30 -