Estate tax up for debate in DC

Indiana Farm Bureau supports federal legislation introduced today in both the House and Senate that would permanently repeal the estate tax. The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 is a welcome addition to the accelerated repeal of Indiana’s inheritance tax this year by the Indiana General Assembly. IFB encourages the entire Indiana congressional delegation to support the repeal of the federal estate tax.

While significant relief was enacted last year to help farmers cope with estate taxes, IFB believes that permanent repeal is still the best solution to protect all farms. The legislation introduced today would repeal the estate tax, maintain stepped-up basis and make permanent a 35 percent maximum gift tax rate and $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption indexed for inflation.   “Individuals, family partnerships and family corporations own more than 95 percent of Indiana’s 61,000 farms,” said Megan Ritter, IFB director of public policy.  “When estate taxes on the family farm exceed cash and other liquid assets, surviving family partners may be forced to sell land, buildings or equipment to stay in business. This can not only cripple the farm operation, but it also hurts the rural communities that agriculture supports.”

The value of family-owned farms is usually tied to illiquid assets, such as land, buildings and equipment. On average, 85 percent of farm assets are illiquid, and therefore producers have few options when it comes to generating cash to pay the estate tax. Recent increases in cropland values, on average 15 percent from 2011 to 2012, have greatly expanded the number of farms that now top the estate tax exemption. “Indiana Farm Bureau believes the estate tax should be eliminated permanently,” concluded Ritter. “We fully support the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 and ask our representatives in Washington, D.C., to do the same.”

ccording to Steve Foglesong – past president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – the estate tax is a prime example of bad tax policy. He says it’s essentially a death warrant for small-to-medium sized family businesses. While significant tax relief was enacted last year to help farmers cope with estate taxes – Farm Bureau believes permanent repeal is the best solution to protect all farms and ranchers. NCBA is also fighting for full and permanent repeal of the estate tax. Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman notes individuals, family partnerships and family corporations own 98-percent of the nation’s two-million farms and ranchers. Farm Bureau notes the value of family-owned farms and ranches is usually tied to illiquid assets. With 85-percent of farm and ranch assets illiquid – the group says producers have few options when it comes to generating cash to pay the estate tax. When estate taxes on an agricultural business exceed cash and other liquid assets – Stallman says surviving family partners may be forced to sell land, buildings or equipment needed to keep their business running. Not only can this cripple a farm or ranch operation – Stallman says – but it hurts the rural communities and businesses that agriculture supports.

House version of the Farm Bill an uphill battle.

Stutzman Add to Pile of Amendments for House Farm Bill, White House Threatens Veto

June 17, 2013
Gary Truitt

Marlin Stutzman

The House Rules Committee had not yet set the rule on the Farm Bill. House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Collin Peterson are expected to ask for a rule that allows debate on all subjects House members want to discuss, but limits the number of amendments on each subject. The Rules Committee will meet Tuesday to issue a rule on how farm bill amendments will be handled on the House floor.

The deadline for submission of amendments was two o’clock Eastern on Monday afternoon. As of five o’clock Eastern, the House Rules Committee had posted 226 amendments. Twenty-eight of those were marked as late. Among those filed on time, there is an amendment to set the target price for all crops at 55percent of the five-year rolling Olympic average and change the acreage available for target price support to 85 percent of the farmer’s base acres; an effort to reform the federal sugar program; amendments aimed at changing crop insurance premium subsidies; an amendment to replace the dairy producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs; and of course, several amendments that would make changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

On Monday, Indiana Congressman Marlin Stutzman, a fourth-generation farmer, filed amendments with the House Committee on Rules to divide the farm bill into a true, “farm-only” farm bill and separate food stamp legislation. “Right now, this trillion dollar spending package is a farm bill in name only. Congress must remove welfare provisions from the farm bill and give taxpayers the honest debate they deserve on both. It’s simple: food stamp policy isn’t farm policy. Yet, most Americans are shocked to learn that about 80 percent of the farm bill’s spending goes to Washington’s out-of-control food stamp program. With our nation nearly $17 trillion in debt, the American people deserve an open, transparent debate and that can only happen when Washington stops playing games with deceptively named spending bills.”

Also on Monday, the White House released its position on the House version of the Farm Bill. In a statement it said, “The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013.  The bill would reduce access to food assistance for struggling families and their children, does not contain sufficient commodity and crop insurance reforms, and does not provide funding for renewable energy, which is an important source of jobs and economic growth in rural communities across the country. The Administration strongly opposes the harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a cornerstone of our Nation’s food assistance safety net.  The bill makes unacceptable deep cuts in SNAP, which could increase hunger among millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, including families with children and senior citizens.  The Administration believes that Congress should achieve significant budgetary savings to help reduce the deficit without creating hardship for vulnerable families – for example, by reducing crop insurance subsidies.  Rather than reducing crop insurance subsidies by $11.7 billion over 10 years, as proposed in the President’s Budget, H.R. 1947 would increase reference prices for farmers by roughly 45 percent and increase already generous crop insurance subsidies at a cost of nearly $9 billion over 10 years to the Nation’s taxpayers.”

The President’s statement said, as it stands, he would veto the House version of the Farm  Bill. What would the Obama administration accept?  The statement  indicated that, “The Administration supports enactment of a multi-year Farm Bill that includes a long-term extension of disaster programs and promotes rural development, preserves a farm safety net, maintains strong nutrition programs, encourages the development of local and regional markets, enhances conservation, supports environmental stewardship, complies with our World Trade Organization commitments, advances agricultural research, and provides funding for renewable energy.  In addition, the Administration believes that crop insurance payments should be tied to the Nation’s soil conservation and wetland protection goals. The legislation should also contribute significantly to deficit reduction, with savings from reforms proposed in the President’s Budget.”

Putnam County Farm Bureau Inc. sponsors Fairgrounds Inside Arena

York, Farm Bureau sponsor fairgrounds buildings

Saturday, May 25, 2013

By JARED JERNAGAN Assistant Editor

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

A pair of new signs adorning Putnam County Fairgrounds buildings displays the year-round commitment of York Automotive (above) and Putnam County Farm Bureau to the success of the Putnam County Fair.

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The Putnam County Fair may be only 10 days each July, but the fairgrounds is in use year-round.
A pair of new signs recently installed on two fairgrounds buildings are indicative of that year-round use and the year-round commitment of local organizations to the upkeep and improvement of the grounds.
York Automotive is now the sponsor of the community building, while Farm Bureau Inc. sponsors the indoor arena.
Fair Board officials said they approached a pair of organizations they thought could also benefit from their continued involvement with the fair.
"York is the only car dealership in Putnam County," Fair Board president Steve Greeson said, "so we focused on them because we thought it would benefit them."
Nick York agreed, saying the auto dealer looked at the sponsorship as a mutually beneficial opportunity.
"For the past 25 years, we've been pretty involved at the fair," York said. "We look at it as a good way to support the community and to market to people who buy our product.
York said when approached by the Fair Board, it seemed like a good way to support improvements to the fair and to keep the York name in the public eye.
"They've worked hard to bring the crowd back to the fair and return it to what it once was," York said. "Growing up, we always went to the fair at least one night, and so did everybody in the county."
For Putnam County Farm Bureau Inc., sponsorship of the outdoor arena seemed to go hand-in-hand with its ongoing efforts to support agriculture in the county.
"For many, many, many years we've contributed to various programs at the fair," said, Farm Bureau president Steve Cash, who is also a former Fair Board president. "We do a lot at the fair anyway, so this is a good fit. It is a mutual benefit, I think."

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

The new Putnam County Farm Bureau sign now adorns the indoor arena at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

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Besides supporting fair week activities, Cash said Farm Bureau sponsors a number of events at the fairgrounds throughout the year, such as Ag Day each March.
"The state has been telling us that we need to be more visible in terms of our name," Cash said. This includes reminding the public of Farm Bureau's sponsorship of things like Ag Day, as well as the Friend of the Farmer and Farm Family of the Year awards.
"We're trying to make more awareness of what we do."
Sponsorship of the building is just another way to remind the public of Farm Bureau's presence.
Besides the nominal support of the fairgrounds, Greeson said the sponsorship of the two buildings brings much-needed funds to keep the fairgrounds running and improving.
"It means a lot to us because that's our only income, really, other than fair week," Greeson said. "Our goal is to use that money to make those buildings and the fairgrounds better."

CRP signup dates and information

Release 0093.13

 

 

Contact: Kent Politsch

202-720-7163

 

 

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Sign-Up

 

Landowners and Producers Can Now Enroll in Continuous CRP with General Sign-Up to Follow

 

 

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2013— Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. Vilsack also announced the restart of sign-up for continuous CRP, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other related initiatives. Sign-up for continuous CRP began on May 13 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2013.

 

“As always, we expect strong competition to enroll acres into CRP, and we urge interested producers to maximize their environmental benefits and to make cost-effective offers,” said Vilsack. “CRP is an important program for protecting environmentally sensitive lands from erosion and sedimentation, and for ensuring the sustainability of our groundwater, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Through the voluntary participation of our farmers and ranchers, CRP helps us to protect our natural resources, preserve wildlife habitat and bring good paying jobs to rural America related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

 

Vilsack encouraged producers to look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, sign-up basis.

 

CRP has a 27-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation's natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Currently, 27 million acres are enrolled in CRP through 700,000 contracts on 390,000 farms throughout the U.S., with enrollment in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Contracts on an estimated 3.3 million acres will expire on Sept. 30, 2013. Enrollment authority for all types of CRP, which had expired Sept. 30, 2012, was extended through 2013 by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

 

Offers for general sign-up CRP contracts are ranked according to an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) collects data for each of the EBI factors based on the relative environmental benefits for the land offered. FSA uses the following factors to assess the environmental benefits for the land offered:

 

• Wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage;

• Water quality benefits from reduced erosion, runoff and leaching;

• On-farm benefits from reduced erosion;

• Benefits that will likely endure beyond the contract period;

• Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion; and

• Cost.

 

CRP soil rental rates for non-irrigated cropland were updated this year to better reflect location and market conditions. A nationwide cap was placed on the maximum amount that may be paid per acre for the general sign-up. Taken together these steps help ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally responsible manner while producing the maximum environmental benefits for each dollar spent.

 

CRP is the largest USDA conservation program and continues to make major contributions to national efforts to improve water and air quality, prevent soil erosion, and protect the most sensitive areas including those prone to flash flooding and runoff. At the same time, CRP has helped increase populations of pheasants, quail and ducks and is recognized as benefiting certain rare species like the sage grouse, the lesser prairie chicken and other grassland birds. Highlights of CRP accomplishments include:

 

• The restoration of more than two million acres of wetlands and two million acres of riparian buffers;

• Prevention of more than 600 million pounds of nitrogen and more than 100 million pounds of phosphorous from flowing into our nation’s streams, rivers, and lakes.

• Providing $1.8 billion annually to landowners — dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs; and

• Sequestering more carbon than any other conservation program in the country. By placing vulnerable cropland into conservation, CRP sequesters carbon in plants and soil and reduces both fuel and fertilizer usage. In 2011, CRP resulted in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road.

 

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

 

The Obama Administration, with Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net and create opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency and resourcefulness of our producers.

 

For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA service center orwww.fsa.usda.gov.

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

 

 

Five things you should know today

Whether it’s a suggestion for a new reality show featuring real ranch wives of rural America, or discussing the latest tactics of animal rights activists, or news on the latest way the media has “pink slimed” the beef industry, BEEF Daily aims to keep readers up-to-date on everything and anything beef industry related. I’m always looking for leads for new blog posts, and I welcome emails and suggestions for future blog discussions. Today, here is a round-up of five beef-related news items submitted to me by readers.

1. A New York City school has adopted an all-vegetarian menu. First, many colleges adopted Meatless Monday; then, USDA MyPlate slashed protein servings in schools; and now, a school in New York City has established a new menu for elementary students, sans meat.

A city public school, Public School 244 in Queens, is one of the first in the nation to adopt an all-vegetarian menu. The menu includes items like tofu wraps, vegetarian chili, black bean and cheddar quesadillas and roasted potatoes. The elementary school houses 400 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade.

"We think this is a really exciting development," says Ryan Huling, who coordinates PETA's work with colleges that serve vegetarian fare. "The school should be commended for providing students with low-fat, nutrient-packed brain food." Read more about this here.

I think this is nothing short of child abuse and a nutritional decision based not on science or wellness, but on emotions and popular politics. It’s been proven that children need protein to fuel their active lifestyles, growing bodies and developing brains.

According to the New York Beef Industry Council, “Are your kids getting enough nutrients to support their active body and learning needs? Are you not feeling as energetic or sharp as you should be? Do you know iron brings oxygen to our muscles as well as our brain? Iron deficiency is common among young children and women. Beef is the number-one natural food source of iron in our diet.

“Iron is an essential mineral which plays a role in a variety of body functions. Iron’s primary role is to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide within the red blood cell from one body tissue to another. Iron is also necessary for the production of energy and to support the immune system. Many foods in the diet contain iron, but this iron is not always easily absorbed by your body. Iron in meat such as beef is better absorbed and available to our bodies than plant foods.”

2. Orthorexia is on the rise. This disordered eating eliminates entire food groups such as meat and dairy. One nutritionist warns about the dangers of excessive eating and dieting.

Michelle Roberts for WBZ-TV writes, “This is the time of year when many people are excited to get in shape and eat healthier. The problem is many people are going too far. A dangerous phenomenon called ‘Orthorexia’ is becoming more prevalent.

“Staying healthy means following a balanced diet. A growing number of people, however, are eliminating entire food groups, seeing only negative qualities in things like dairy, eggs, meats, grains, and fats. Over time, the only things left in their diet are fruits and vegetables. Taken to an extreme, it’s now treated as an eating disorder called Orthorexia.

“This is how Boston University Nutritionist Jenn Culbert defines Orthorexia: ‘What it essentially means is that someone is obsessed with eating only healthy food that they consider to be pure. Fat helps us absorb fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, and it also helps us absorb phydo-chemicals in fruits and vegetables.”

Eating disorders are certainly something to take seriously, and eliminating entire food groups can prove dangerous. After reading the comments, I have to agree that focusing on a healthy diet and active lifestyle shouldn’t be categorized as disordered eating. More and more consumers are paying closer attention to the label, and I certainly empathize with those who abstain from certain foods because of allergies. But, for those who take diets to extremes in order to get a six-pack, this is a valid concern.

3. Women’s Health & Fitness Australia lists lean red meat as its number-one healthy food in a list of top 10 foods for active women. According to the article, “Lean red meat is an excellent source of iron, zinc, protein and vitamin B12. Iron deficiency is a very common problem for women and may lead to anemia. Symptoms include tiredness and fatigue due to a lack of oxygen in the blood and other body tissues including muscles. It is very difficult to keep active or perform optimally if you are anemic. “Female athletes are at a particularly high risk of iron deficiency irrespective of the type or intensity of exercise. While there are many physiological factors involved in female athletes’ vulnerability to iron deficiency, low dietary intake of iron is a major factor.

“The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) of iron for menstruating women aged 19-50 years is 18mg/day. Iron from animal foods like red meat is more easily absorbed than iron from plant foods, with 100g of red meat containing about 3-4g of iron. Generally, the redder the meat, the higher the iron. For example, 100g of liver contains about 10g of iron, whereas 100g of pork has only 1g of iron. The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend red meat to be eaten three to four times/week, especially for women and athletes, to maximize iron absorption. Diet tip: Combine red meat meals with dark green leafy vegetables to enhance plant iron absorption.”

Other foods that made the list included bananas, oranges, berries, sweet potatoes, pasta, oats, natural yogurt, soybeans, and salmon.

4. Obama family enjoys steak supper every Friday night.

Admittedly, there are some things that First Lady Michelle Obama do that makes me ask, “What the hell, Michelle?” Friend and Nebraska rancher Trent Loos has a blog post titled just that. You can read his responses to some of Obama’s positions here.

When she slashed protein servings in the updated USDA MyPlate food guidelines, I scratched my head, wondering how these kids would fuel up to get through advanced math classes and late-night sports practices. But, setting politics aside, in a recent interview with CBS News, Michelle dishes on everything from her Let’s Move campaign, to gun violence, to growing food in the White House garden, to the President’s favorite meal -- beef.

“Most nights, the White House menu is driven by what comes out of the ground right there. But Friday nights, all bets are off. Friday is Steak Night.

"You know, we're not vegetarians. We love red meat," says Obama. "We generally have steak on Friday, and that's the President's favorite dinner, so Friday nights are steak nights." Like her or leave her, if she called me up to a Friday evening meal at the White House, I would be hard-pressed to turn it down. I wonder what the President’s favorite cut of beef is?

5. The Chew On This Tour is a unique, interactive road show traveling the nation to heighten awareness about one of the biggest problems facing the world today: hunger.

Tour spokesperson Bill Goldberg, former NFL lineman and champion wrestler, answers questions about world hunger and sustainable food production. A reader sent me information on this informative, educational tour, which aims to bring awareness to the one in four American children who go to bed at night hungry. The tour is full of facts to “chew on.” Here are a few to ponder this morning:

• Chew On This! About 870 million people worldwide don’t get enough food.
• Chew On This! Hunger kills more people worldwide than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
• Chew on This! According to the United Nations, by the year 2050, the global population will be 9 billion. We will need 70% more food and 70% of that food will have to come from efficiency-enhancing technology.
• Chew on This! Less than 2% of Americans farm for a living. So many people lack knowledge about where their food comes from and how it’s produced. For more information on the tour, including facts, event photos and details for how to get involved, check out the website here.

Pence signs Soil Productivity Bill

Super Bowl Ads Part II

Super Bowl Ads Part II: Educating Viewers On HSUS Deception

Feb. 6, 2013by Amanda Radke in BEEF Daily

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Super Bowl ad educates viewers on the deceptive fundraising tactics of the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS).

If you were one of the 111.3 million people who tuned into the Super Bowl over the weekend, I’m betting you have an opinion or two on the commercials. There was the race to get to the giant Coke bottle, the goat that loved Doritos, the darkened corners of a Budweiser party, the chiseled abs of a guy in Calvin Klein boxers, and the fun adventures of the beloved M&Ms characters. And don’t forget the Clydesdale colt.

Of course, there was the much-talked-about Dodge Ram “So God Made A Farmer” commercial.

There was also another notable commercial that aired just before the game, which I hope caught the attention of a lot of viewers. That was the commercial by HumaneWatch.org, a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), which highlighted the deceptive fundraising practices of the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS). The ad explained that only one penny of every dollar raised by HSUS actually goes toward the support of animal shelters. “Paw-thetic,” was the HumaneWatch.org ad’s catchphrase. Watch the entire commercial below.

HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle responded on his blog that he thought the HumaneWatch.orgad was a waste of cash. However, I think any effort to educate consumers about the fact that HSUS, the 72nd largest charity group in the U.S., has consistently received a D grade for its lack of honesty and integrity in using donated funds to actually help animals is well worth it. Instead, HSUS is an animal rights organization focused on abolishing animal agriculture and eliminating meat, dairy and eggs from the dinner table. Hopefully, viewers who saw the commercial followed up by checking out HumaneWatch.org and will think twice before donating to HSUS in the future.

“Most viewers will be bowled over this Sunday to find out that HSUS doesn’t operate as a pet shelter umbrella group,” says CCF Senior Research Analyst J. Justin Wilson. “HSUS purposely uses emotionally manipulative ads featuring sad-looking dogs and cats in cages, yet it gives just one penny of every dollar it raises to hands-on local pet shelters.”