Missouri Valley Times News, IA
09-05-06
Farm Bureau leaders set new policy to aid young farmers and livestock
producers
Farm Bureau voting delegates concluded their Summer Policy Conference Friday
in West Des Moines by giving new incentives to young farmers and rural
communities, establishing several new policy issues on the Conservation
Reserve Program and livestock regulation authority.
The grassroots policy organization voting delegates reaffirmed their support for
the continuation of the 2002 Farm Bill even beyond its 2007 expiration date,
since the World Trade Organization did not reach agreement on global trade
policies which affect Iowa farmers' access to global markets.
Farm Bureau members also agreed that priority needs to be given to the
research and development of new blends of renewable fuels. Promising research
into new types of ethanol made from biomass continue to spark national interest.
Farm Bureau members were instrumental in getting a Renewable Fuels Standard
passed in the last Iowa legislative session. The organization also recently
contributed $1 million to Iowa State University's groundbreaking biofuels
research.
After much debate, consensus was also reached on future signups for the
Conservation Reserve Program, (CRP). Voting delegates agreed that Iowa's
young farmers need an opportunity to have access to purchase qualifying
cropland. "This is about helping the next generation of farmers contribute to their
rural economies by having a chance to farm viable land that was taken out of
production for the CRP program," said IFBF President Craig Lang. "Iowa has
more than 1.9 million acres in the CRP, which began during the Farm Crisis of
the 1980s. In addition to devastating the cattle industry in the state, CRP also
had a profound impact on main street businesses across the state," said Lang.
"We call on rural and urban residents to continue to work together to protect
streams, rivers, lakes and fragile lands through the increased plantings of buffer
strips and grass waterways. Iowa leads the nation in buffer strips to protect the
lands and waterways on which farmers depend."
The voting delegates also approved a policy encouraging all livestock producers
to adopt nutrient management plans to ensure utilization of manure as a
resource. Such practices reduce odors and concentration of livestock production
and water quality concerns statewide.
The controversial passage of the Department of Natural Resources Director
Discretion rule and the DNR's push for local control in livestock citing led to the
easy adoption of a new policy on regulations.
Farm Bureau members say a state agency or appointed commission should not
regulate without having specific authority approved by the legislature.
IFBF members also approved support of an animal identification program to
control the spread of animal disease, ensuring the continued health and welfare
of all national and international consumers.
This is the first year that Farm Bureau members have held their policy
conference in the summer. Delegates in December 2005 approved moving the
process up so that there is greater preparation time before the legislative session
and more time to learn the positions of candidates seeking public offices.