News

The conference was a hit!  Farm Bureau accomplished much in the way of electing FARM-PAC officers, informing farmers, and updating committees.  Following are short summaries of four of the many speakers. 

Estil Fretwell, Director of Public Affairs at Farm Bureau gave an overview of the political state of the nation.  Using an interesting graph he showed how Missouri has changed in its make-up of Republicans and Democrats.  He also shared information about SWAT, Spokespersons Working for Agriculture Together.  This 2-3 hour training program teaches up to 6 participants how to become a better spokesperson for agriculture.  If you would like to learn more about the program or set a date, contact Estil at efretwell@mofb.com. 

Ford West, President of The Fertilizer Institute in Washington D.C. spoke about fertilizer prices and some of the issues affecting the industry.  Mr. West explained that the United States is a net importer of potassium.  We receive 90% of our potassium from Canada.   He also talked about the difficulty in obtaining permits for mining fertilizer.  Phosphorous, for instance, usually takes about seven or eight years to obtain a permit.  The underlying cause of this fertilizer difficulty lies with regulations created by the EPA and the environmentalist groups which sue the EPA to effect change. 

Dan Manternach, economist from Doane’s Ag Research, St. Louis, gave the Market Outlook.  He forecasted a "bullish" outlook for corn and soybeans, but was not as optomistic about wheat.  He backed these statements with five factors used to determine grain market, such as ending stocks.

One of the last speakers, Paul Simmons, is now from California, but grew up in Tarkio, Missouri.  He shared information about endangered species affecting water rights.  He explained how the government in CA shut down a canal, depleting all of the farmer's irrigation water.  The frustrating part of his story is the lack of scientific evidence that taking water for ag use would harm the fish.  Even proponents of the plan admit they have no true idea how much water the fish need.  It has been estimated that the loss of revenue to farmers was in excess of $1 billion dollars in 2009 alone. 

With so much going on in just a few short days this is only a glimpse of Commodity Conference/Legislative Briefing.  To learn about it all, you'll just have to attend next year!

More Ways

This week-- more ways you can be involved!  Missouri Farm Bureau holds two important conferences, beginning Monday. 

The first is District FARM-PAC Annual Meetings.  Trustees--volunteers selected by the county Farm Bureau boards, attend a meeting in Jefferson City to meet and interview political candidates.  There are six FARM-PAC committees, organized by the six congressional districts.  At the annual meetings the trustees vote to give the official Farm Bureau endorsement to a candidate running for each of the offices of U. S. Congress, U. S. Senate, Governor and State Senate .  Endorsements are made based on a candidate's stance on ag issues, not political party.  Endorsements are not made in the State Representative races, but Farm Bureau does have a Friend of Agriculture Award for members of the Missouri House of Representatives who have a proven record of support for agriculture and rural Missouri.

If you would like to be a part of a FARM-PAC, simply talk to a member of your local Farm Bureau board.  Volunteers needed!  For more information, check out this link.

The second meeting, which will be held Monday and Tuesday, is the Commodity Conference and Legislative Briefing.  This conference is designed to inform farmers about current production ag topics.  It is fast paced, and highly informative.  Past participants return year after year to hear great speakers and stay on top of their industry.  The Farm Bureau website provides more information.

Usually in attendance at the Commodity Conference are members of the commodity advisory committee.  Members of this group assist Farm Bureau staff with issues affecting that specific industry. Advisory committees include beef, cotton, dairy, equine, feed grains and wheat, forestry, horticulture, rice, sheep, soybean and swine. Each year Farm Bureau members are appointed to the advisory committees by the state board of directors. If you have an interest in serving on one of the committees, you can contact the marketing and commodities department.  Their e-mails are listed on the MOFB website.
 Though you may not be able to drop everything and walk out the door to attend sessions this year, check back with our blog for information coming from these conferences, and think about becoming involved in 2012.

We'll see you then!