Bobby Likis Shares the Mic With Randy Doyal (2)

Automotive Expert & Car-Talk Host Bobby Likis Talks with Randy Doyal, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Corn Clean Fuel
Bobby Likis, automotive expert and host of nationally syndicated car-talk program “Bobby Likis Car Clinic,” shares the mic with Randy Doyal, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, MN, and Chairman of the Board of the Renewable Fuels Association.

 

GMO labeling: Where are we at? (via Minnesota Rural Radio)

Dave Ladd of RDL Associates and a Center for Rural Policy and Development (CRPD) board member recently joined Minnesota Rural Radio to talk about some of the basics of the GMO labeling issue, which will be likely signed into law by the end of the month, as well as issues surrounding agricultural biotechnology.

GMO labeling: Where are we at? Pt 1

GMO labeling: Where are we at? Part 2

 

Issue Update: Status of GMO labeling legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives

Dave Ladd, President of RDL & Associates, was recently a guest on the Linder Farm Network to discuss the status of GMO labeling legislation in the United States House of Representatives.

The segments can be heard here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwodb91oehOmT1ZMMm9Gek5aTHpsUDZnNm5rRmVSQ0l5MGhj/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwodb91oehOmbUdrWXg0Q2h2STJjb1kzckl6UHhHX2ZrU2V3/view?usp=sharing

 

Media Release: Former Military Leaders Highlight the Importance of Agriculture and National Security

Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine the on-the-ground experiences of former military leaders and the connection between agricultural policy and national security. This is the fifth hearing in the committee’s hearing series focused on national security. Members heard from a panel of former military leaders who described how the United States’ investment in transportation and infrastructure, agricultural research and innovation, and risk management tools for farmers has led to a vibrant and stable agricultural industry in the U.S., which is inexplicably linked to our national security. The panel also cautioned that an insufficient focus on agriculture has led to detrimental effects on the security and stability of countries around the world.

“A strong military and sound agricultural policies are the pillars of our national security. The men and women of America’s armed services regularly witness food insecurity around the world, and today we heard from former military leaders who shared their accounts of the tremendous instability that occurs in countries where agriculture development is not a priority. The United States is consistently ranked as one of the most food secure nations in the world, which is why it’s important we understand the factors that threaten national and global markets. Sound farm policy is, and continues to be, an integral piece of our ability to prevent food insecurity in this country. I want to thank our panel for sharing their on-the ground experiences and giving us an enhanced global perspective of the importance of maintaining and protecting a safe food supply,” said Chairman K. Michael Conaway.

Written testimony provided by the witnesses from today’s hearing is linked below. Click here for more information, including Chairman Conaway’s opening statement and the archived webcast.

Witness List:
Panel I
Major General James R. Sholar, US Army (Ret.), Stillwater, OK

Major General Darren G. Owens, US Army (Ret.), Bryan, TX

Colonel Eric D. Ahlness, US Army (Ret.), White Bear Lake, MN###

One Watershed, One Plan (via Pioneer Public Television)

Dave Ladd, President of RDL & Associates, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Watershed Division director Glenn Skuta participate in an in-studio discussion regarding water quality issues.  The conversation was facilitated by Pioneer Public Television General Manager, Les Heen.

Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlY-oejqgW4

Dairy farmers shifted to catastrophic coverage under the MPP-Dairy Program in 2016 (via USDA)

The Margin Protection Program-Dairy (MPP-Dairy) is a risk management program introduced in the 2014 Farm Act. MPP-Dairy is designed to protect agricultural producers against adverse movements in the difference between milk and feed prices (the margin). Enrollees receive catastrophic coverage, for an annual $100 enrollment fee, that provides payments when a national-average margin falls below $4 (the average monthly margin was $8.30 in 2004-13). Farmers can purchase additional “buy-up” coverage, for margin thresholds ranging from $4 to $8 in 50-cent increments. Almost 25,000 farms—55 percent of licensed U.S. dairy operations, accounting for 80 percent of 2014 U.S. milk production—enrolled in the program for 2015 coverage. Forty-four percent of enrollees—with more than three-quarters of production covered by MPP—chose catastrophic coverage. Farms may change coverage annually, and many did so in 2016, as the shares of farms and production under catastrophic coverage rose, moving away from all levels of buy-up coverage.

This chart is based on data found in the ERS report, Changing Structure, Financial Risks, and Government Policy for the U.S. Dairy Industry, March 2016.