, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Ag union wants House to reconsider amendments
The National Farmers Union said Thursday it wants changes made to the farm bill pending before Congress even though lawmakers earlier this week rejected such action.
The Washington-based union wants amendments made to establish a more equitable safety net for working family farms and livestock ranches.
They want creation of a strategic renewable fuels reserve and a measure targeting assistance to agricultural producers who most need help.
Both ideas were included in amendments that were rejected Wednesday by the House but union President Leland Swenson said he thinks lawmakers need to reconsider them.
"Legislation must go further to support all commodity producers, provide for more rural development, address concentration, enhance the dairy program and assist conservation efforts," Swenson said.
"Above all, the bill must not compromise the safety net for any family farmer or rancher," he said.
The fate of the farm bill became uncertain when President Bush indicated this week the $170 billion, 10-year proposal was too expensive and would have to be cut because of shifting priorities toward national security in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said she hopes the House will defer action on any bill, adding a compromise could be negotiated during the course of the upcoming year.
Republicans who run the House were upset and hinted they would proceed with plans to vote for the bill.
House Agriculture Chairman Larry Combest, R-Texas, said he feels any delay would be a slap at farmers across the United States.
"We have worked during more than a year and a half with producers to fulfill my commitment to bring them a new farm policy," Combest said.
But a House vote would not be a definitive slap against Bush.
The measure would still need to be approved by the Senate and the Democratic leadership has previously indicated many changes it wants to make to boost environmental and conservation programs.
Livestock ranchers need money for drought problems
Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is sponsoring a measure meant to continue to provide money for livestock ranchers to help them cope with problems caused by drought conditions.
Enzi said he wants the Livestock Assistance Program to be funded through the agriculture appropriations bill. He notes that the existing program is not included in the bill covering the 2002 fiscal year.
Enzi notes ranchers in his home states received more than $7 million from the program and he wants to make sure they continue to get the money.
"This is significant because cattle sales are the primary source of agricultural cash receipts in Wyoming," he said. "This program acknowledges and rectifies the risks livestock producers experience during drought."
Feds asked to fund rural development program
Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., is trying to urge his colleagues to support a measure that would formally recognize the National Rural Development Partnership and also provide a funding source for the program.
The partnership is a nonpartisan interagency working group meant to boost efforts to provide educational and economic opportunities for people who live in rural parts of the United States.
"We must do all we can to focus on strengthening our rural communities to ensure that Wisconsinites living in rural areas have opportunities equivalent to those enjoyed by citizens in America's cities," Feingold said.
The partnership has been in existence since 1990. It was created by former President George Bush by executive order but has never been formally authorized by Congress.
Monsanto official wants better conservation methods
Monsanto Co. Chief Operating Officer Hugh Grant said he thinks an international organization is needed to tout the benefits of conservation methods for agriculture.
Grant told a gathering of the Conservation Agriculture Congress -- sponsored by the United Nations -- that they should form the nucleus of a new group to promote conservation with the support of governments, non-governmental organizations, growers and industry.
"Conservation agriculture brings many benefits to the growers and the environment, yet there is still so much potential for growth of this farming practice," Grant said.
Conservation agriculture refers to a range of practices meant to improve the composition, structure and bio-diversity of soil while also reducing erosion and degradation.
Third World the best place to try soy products
University of Illinois researchers are working with the American Soybean Association to boost a program meant to increase the amount of soybean-based food products available in developing countries.
The university's National Soybean Research Laboratory is cooperating with national officials to help the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health.
"The goal of this project is to improve the diet of undernourished people in the developing countries, while providing a use for abundant U.S. soybeans," said Pradeep Khanna, coordinator for the research laboratory.
He notes that the program will find an increased demand for soy protein products from segments of society that do not consume meat, largely due to economic and cultural factors.
Grains up on CBOT
Grain futures were up at the close Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybean, corn and wheat futures all benefited from the Agriculture Department's weekly export sales report, which showed strong increases for the three commodities.
Weather forecasts calling for rain in the southern and western corn belt could slow farmer activity while also causing delays in planting for wheat farmers. Both commodities benefited as a result.
Oats were up due to the positive tone among traders caused by price increases for other commodities.
The prices:
Soybeans: Nov 4.51 off 1, Jan 4.58 3/4 off 1, Mar 4.64 1/4 up 1 1/4, May 4.67 1/2 off 1 1/4.
Corn: Dec 2.11 1/2 up 3/4, Mar 2.23 1/2 up 3/4, May 2.31 up 1/2, Jul 2.36 1/2 up 3/4.
Wheat: Dec 2.72 3/4 up 3 1/4, Mar 2.82 1/2 up 3 1/2, May 2.84 3/4 up 3, Jul 2.88 3/4 up 2 3/4.
Oats: Dec 1.75 1/4 up 1/2, Mar 1.59 up 1/2, May 1.51 1/2 up 1 1/4, Jul 1.44 1/2 up 1 1/2.
