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February 2, 2001
A recent Agriculture Department report reveals farm income will fall about 10 percent this year without supplemental federal assistance. The department predicted that net farm income will decrease to $41.3 billion this year, $45.4 billion less than last year. Net farm income was boosted to $45.4 billion in 2000, thanks to $8.9 billion in emergency assistance from Congress. Average farm income for the 1990s was $45.3 billion a year.
Last year was the third year in a row that Congress approved a multibillion-dollar aid package to supplement the government's regular farm program.
Government payments were a record $22.1 billion in 2000,
up $1.5 billion from 1999. Emergency assistance originating from special legislation
comprised $8.9 billion of total government payments in 2000 and is forecast
to be $3.6 billion in 2001. Higher crop prices in 2001 will result in nearly
$2 billion less in loan deficiency payments, which were also a significant
component of total payments in 2000.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch,
Jan. 18, 2001
Proposal would end foreign
meat grading
In a move applauded by U.S. meat producers, the Agriculture
Department is proposing to end official agency grading of imported beef, lamb,
veal and calf carcasses.
The proposal is to "assure U.S. consumers that the USDA grade shield only appears on meat products from livestock slaughtered in the United States."
USDA currently puts quality grades on both imported and domestic
meat, which the U.S. meat industry says does not distinguish between foreign
and U.S.-grown meat and confuses consumers who assume the quality grade indicates
they are buying a U.S. products.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch,
Jan. 22, 2001
House Ag Committee considers
'safety nets'
The House Agriculture Committee is beginning the process of considering
a number of scenarios, involving several types of income protection for farmers.
The Agricultural & Food Policy Center, Texas A&M
University (AFPC), has been asked to assess the farm-level impacts for three
safety net options: (1) a modified Supplemental Income Program, based on a
proposal floated by Congressman Charlie Stenholm earlier this year; (2) raising
marketing loan rates; and (3) continuing Market Loss Assistance payments.
Source: AgConnection, Texas A&M University,
Winter 2001, Vol. 8, No. 2
Water
rights are profitable for some
In perhaps a sign of things to come, a Walla Walla County,
Wash. farm couple has received $405,000 from the Washington state Department
of Ecology for their water rights to irrigate 225 acres.
The sum is nearly half of the state's $1 million budget for such purchases, aimed at increasing stream flows for threatened and endangered fish. "Buying water for fish is a key part of managing water in the 21st century," an official with the department said. "These purchases and leases prove that water has a price tag attached to it, even for fish."
Another official with the ecology department said they will
ask the legislature for $10 million to buy water rights next year.
Source: Speedlines, AFBF Executive Newswatch,
Dec. 1, 2000
