With Congress back in session this week and Farm Bill action gearing up shortly, we'd like to highlight an excellent web resource for advocates of Farm Bill conservation Programs. The Wildlife Society, a scientific and educational association of professional wildlife managers, has developed an extensive searchable database of Farm Bill programs and benefits. Users can search any or all of the various conservation programs, like CRP, WRP and WHIP, and receive information on what projects are underway in each state. The site also contains a database of quotes and facts about the need for these programs and the benefits to producers, wildlife, recreationists and the general public. All queries are searchable by region and state, so that advocates can approach their lawmakers armed with specific relevant information. The site also provides funding level recommendations for the main conservation programs and gives tips on communicating with lawmakers. 

As Congress reconvenes this week in Washington, an alliance of conservationists, family farmers and sustainable advocates brace for a battle in the Senate to protect pending conservation programs gained in the last session. Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. George Nethercutt, R-WA, told a farm group last week that the Senate should "decouple" some conservation programs and quickly adopt the House farm fill passed last year. According to the Spokane Review (January 17), Nethercutt did not respond when asked to address criticisms that the House bill favors big farms, spurs overproduction, and lowers prices. Such complaints have been especially sharp after the Environmental Working Group recently released a searchable Internet database that details government payments to farmers. The results found that the largest 10 percent of American farms collected more than two-thirds of all government subsidies from 1996 to 2000. The House plan does nothing to resolve this and promotes a farm subsidy plan that is essentially status quo.

Congress, Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-ND, said he thinks that US Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has failed farmers and that it is " time for her to go." At the heart of Pomeroy's complaint is the lack of action by the USDA secretary to set "loan rates" in time for spring crop planting. Pomeroy made his comments on a radio show that aired last Monday in Fargo, North Dakota. The loan rates in question are one mechanism by which farmers receive federal support for crops. Indicating that his sentiment has bi-paritisan support, Pomeroy also told listeners that, ""I've had no fewer than two House colleagues of mine, Republicans, tell me that they have met personally with the president and said she needs to go." Though Pomeroy later clarified that he was not actually calling for her resignation this development throws increased uncertainty into a farm bill re-authorization process riddled divisive and partisian politics.

As independent livestock producers struggle against corporate packers for open and competitive markets, a new study by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) reveals that captive supplies accounted for 32.3% of cattle in 1999. This figure is 28 percent higher than previous figures voluntarily reported by the packers. 

The study resulted from new GIPSA authority to count cattle owned or contracted by the employees, subsidiaries, or the holding companies of the nations beef packers. Fred Stokes of the Organization for Competitive Markets remarked that captive supplies have only increased since 1999, and that "the hog industry is reported to have at least 83% captive supply." 

Before adjourning for the holidays, the Senate took a step to rectify the problem by passing the Johnson-Wellstone-Grassley amendment to ban packer ownership of livestock the last 14 days prior to slaughter. The ban is supported by a wide array of farm advocate groups, from the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture to the American Farm Bureau Federation. However, the American Meat Institute and Excel Corporation (a Cargill subsidiary), are lobbying for an overturn of the ban.

The Organization for Competitive Markets: www.competitivemarkets.com/whats_new

The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture: www.sustainableagriculture.net

Farm Bureau Packer Ban Position: www.fb.org/news/nr/nr2002/nr0109.html

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