News from Monday, June 29

 

HOUSE PASSES CAP-AND-TRADE DESPITE OBJECTIONS FROM KLA

 

     The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, passed last week by the U.S. House, would cause significant economic harm to livestock producers, according to the president of KLA. Wichita cattle feeder Todd Allen, in a letter to Kansas members of the U.S. House, said economic predictions of increased energy, feed and fertilizer costs as a result of the legislation would put some livestock producers out of business.

     Allen’s letter was sent to Kansas representatives Friday (6/26), before the U.S. House narrowly approved the bill. Kansas Reps. Moran, Jenkins and Tiahrt voted against the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill, while Rep. Dennis Moore voted in favor of the proposal.

     U.S. House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Ranking Minority Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma negotiated language in the bill that would allow farmers and ranchers to participate in a market-based carbon offset program. Allen said concerns about the negative economic impact on agriculture outweigh these improvements.

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News from Tuesday, June 30

EPA ASKED TO RECONSIDER ENDANGERMENT FINDING

 

     NCBA is part of an informal coalition of companies and organizations asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its finding that greenhouse gas emissions attributed to humans are an endangerment to public health and welfare. The finding, proclaimed by EPA in April, is the first step in a process that could require regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Tamara Thies said, considering the scientific uncertainty of whether human activity is responsible for climate change, it is inappropriate for EPA to consider only one side of the debate. The impact of EPA’s attempt to regulate emissions based on conflicting science, she said, would be devastating and could further damage an already struggling U.S. economy.

     "Before mandating drastic regulation on U.S. industry, EPA has a responsibility to conclusively demonstrate that altering human activities could mitigate climate change issues," Thies said.

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News from Wednesday, July 1

POLANSKY APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF STATE FARM SERVICE AGENCY

 

     The Obama administration has appointed Kansas Ag Secretary Adrian Polansky as director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA). Polansky previously served as state FSA director under the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001. He was appointed as the state’s agriculture secretary in 2003 by then Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and continued to serve under Gov. Mark Parkinson.

     Polansky is from Belleville . He and his family own and operate a farm and seed business.

     FSA administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of agriculture and to help farmers adjust production to meet demand. According to USDA, the desired result is a steady price range for agricultural commodities for both farmers and consumers.  

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News from Thursday, July 2

CATTLE PRICE REPORTS FROM SALINA , PRATT GET TEMPORARY REPRIEVE

     Kansas Ag Statistics (KAS) will continue to report cattle prices from auction markets at Salina and Pratt through the end of this month as a long-term funding source is identified. The extension resulted from KLA meeting with KAS and the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) to discuss the importance of this information to the cattle industry and potential funding options.  

     The availability of reports from Farmers & Ranchers Livestock Commission Company of Salina and Pratt Livestock is being threatened by general fund budget cuts at KDA and KAS. KLA asked USDA to consider picking up part or all of the funding for the reports. Discussions between KLA, state agency leaders and federal officials will continue to focus on a solution.

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News from Friday, June 26

 

KANSAS AMENDMENTS EFFECTIVELY BLOCK COW TAX

 

     Two members of Congress from Kansas were instrumental in passing amendments that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using funds to issue regulations that could implement the so-called “cow tax.” Language in both amendments would preclude EPA from mandating Clean Air Act permits for greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

     Rep. Todd Tiahrt offered an amendment during consideration of the FY2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. The amendment effectively would block EPA from regulating livestock emissions.

     “We won an important victory for agriculture producers whose businesses could have seen profits erased,” said Tiahrt.

     Sen. Sam Brownback introduced a similar amendment during U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee consideration of an appropriations package. The amendment was adopted by unanimous consent.

     “This amendment ensures Kansas farmers and ranchers won't have to pay the ‘cow tax’ this year,” said Brownback. “I'm certainly not going to support a tax on such an important industry in Kansas.”  

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