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Posts Tagged ‘nebraska’
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
The race to fill retiring Democratic Senator Ben Nelson’s seat has recently heated up with Democrats accusing the Republican candidate, Attorney General Jon Bruning, of financial impropriety.
The money in question is a $100,000 grant given to We Support Agriculture, a Nebraska based farm advocacy organization, from funds that came out of the state’s Supplemental Environment Project fund, administered by the Attorney General and paid for through state settlements with companies fined for environmental regulations.
Democratic Party spokespeople accused Bruning of using state funds for personal political gain. In a statement blasting the Attorney General, the party stated, “This is just another example of Jon Bruning having a conflict of interest. He seems to have a gift for failing to separate what’s best for the state and what’s best for his own political ambitions.”
Democrats say that the grant was rushed through in order to give Bruning a photo op (he presented the grant at a Farm Bureau convention). They also criticized Bruning’s announcement, which contained an attack on the Humane Society of the United States (Bruning labeled it an extremist organization).
Bruning defended the grant and accused the Democrats of playing politics with Nebraska agriculture, stating, “This is an orchestrated attempt to throw mud.”
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Ben Nelson, nebraska, We Support Agriculture
Posted in General | No Comments »
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
Earlier this week, members of the Humane Society of the United States and the Farmers Union met in Nebraska. The meeting hailed by some and condemned by others, is an effort to improve dialogue between animal rights activists and farmers.
In particular, the meeting represents an effort to create an acceptable policy regarding the treatment of livestock on Nebraska farms. Several months ago, the Humane Society of the United States began gearing up towards a fight to improve the treatment of livestock in Nebraska. In several other states, such as California, Oregon, and Ohio, animal rights groups have successfully used petition drives to change radically regulations regarding the treatment of livestock.
Although the Humane Society says that they will not use such tactics in Nebraska, many farmers refuse to take them at their word and have formed a pro-agriculture group, called We Support Agriculture, to portray Nebraska farming in a positive light and to gather funds and support to block any animal rights related ballot initiatives.
The Humane Society-Farmers Union alliance was seen by many as a way to bridge divides in the state and increase genuine cooperation. However, many members of the Farmers Union remain skeptical about the Humane Society, with some Farmers Union members insisting that it will take time to establish trust between the two groups.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: animal rights, Farmers Union, Humane Society, nebraska
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Sunday, November 27th, 2011
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is currently mobilizing farmers and agricultural advocates to oppose new Department of Labor regulations regarding child labor.
Earlier this year, the Labor Department published new guidelines regarding child labor on farms and agricultural operations. The purpose of the new regulations, according to Labor Department officials, was to update and modernize child labor laws, which have not been changed since the 1970s.
The new laws would significantly limit the ability of children to work on non-family farms. Children would be forbidden to work with livestock, to operate most mechanical farm equipment, and to work in silos.
The regulations, farm advocates say, do not take into consideration the modern face of farming. For example, some Nebraska children, who have worked on farms all their lives and are currently employed at farms operated by their parents, would no longer be able to work because their parents do not own the farm.
According to the National Affairs Coordinator of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, “There are some hazardous things on a farm, however when you look at the reality of the situation and the things they’re trying to protect against, they’re going above and beyond and really have no backing.”
Labor officials, however, claim that they are merely concerned with the welfare of children.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: child labor, Department of Labor, nebraska
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Monday, November 21st, 2011
The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health has recently commissioned a study investigating the nature of farm injuries. While many people may not think of it, farming is one of the most dangerous professions in the United States today. Working with animals, operating heavy machinery and sharp tools, and frequently working alone for hours on end all contribute to the high injury rates.
The University of Nebraska was awarded a $5 million federal grant to study farm injuries and collect data on farm safety. The study will examine farm injuries in Nebraska and Iowa, two major agricultural states. Nineteen Nebraskans and seventeen Iowans died last year due to farm injuries.
Major technological and safety innovations have radically improved farm safety and lowered farm injuries. Some combines, for example, will automatically shut off if the operator leaves the seat. In addition, some agricultural researchers believe there is a stronger culture of workplace safety today than there was several years ago.
Several safety measures the study will most likely look at include increased use of roll bars and cages in tractors, improved grain bin safety measures, and education on the importance of sleep and adequate rest when operating farm machinery.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: farm injuries, farm safety, iowa, nebraska
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Thursday, October 20th, 2011
An unlikely alliance between a farm advocacy group and an animal rights organization has created a firestorm in Nebraska. The Nebraska Farmers Union and the Humane Society of American have recently teamed up to find common ground regarding humane treatment of livestock and ethical meat production.
The controversy stems from fears among Nebraska farmers that animal rights groups, particularly the Humane Society, were trying to craft restrictive animal protections that will hinder meat production in the state. In other states, groups like the Humane Society have been successful in petitioning governments to institute various crate and space policies, requiring better treatment of livestock.
In response to fears of a similar push in Nebraska, farm several farm advocacy groups and local politicians formed We Support Agriculture. This organization has stood on the front lines in opposition of any increased government regulation of animal treatment.
The response from We Support Agriculture over the cooperation between the Farmers Union and the Humane Society has been overwhelmingly negative. Pete McClymont, director of We Support Agriculture, recently stated, “We are shocked and disappointed that any Nebraska agriculture group would align itself with an extreme animal rights organization such as the Humane Society of the United States.”
The Farmers Union, however, sees their move as beneficial to small family farms, which frequently practice more humane treatment of their livestock than their large-scale counterparts.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: animal rights, Farmers Union, Humane Society, nebraska
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Sunday, September 18th, 2011
Several of Nebraska’s major agricultural organizations have joined together to combat animal rights activism. With many Nebraska farmers faring that the animal rights activists will persuade voters and state legislators to toughen regulations on farms and ranches across the state, these agricultural groups are hoping to preempt potential activism.
Over the last several months, animal rights activism has been a hot-button issue on American farms. In the wake of several controversial undercover farm videos, two states, Iowa and Florida, have considered legislation that would outlaw videotaping farm activities without the consent of the farm owner.
Several other states have seen their regulations toughened as a result of petitions by animal rights groups like the Humane Society of the U.S. Petition drives in Arizona and California both resulted in restrictions on tight confinement spaces on animal farms. In Ohio, the threat of a petition drive drove the state government to voluntarily impose restrictions.
The newly formed Nebraska group, We Support Agriculture, has already received $5,000 contributions from the Nebraska Cattlemen, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and the Nebraska Poultry Industries. The money will go to opposing a feared campaign by animal activists to outlaw certain confinement practices.
While the CEO of the Humane Society of the U.S. says that his organization is not planning a petition drive and wants to work with farmers to develop human standards that are acceptable to farmers, WSA and several state officials, including Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, are skeptical.
In a speech to the Nebraska Cattlemen, Heineman stated, “They’d be better off going somewhere else, because they’re going to lose if they stay in Nebraska.”
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: animal rights, farm bureau, Humane Society, nebraska
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Sunday, July 31st, 2011
According to the latest reports, Latino farms are on the decline in Nebraska and Missouri. A report by the Nebraska based Center for Rural Affairs, aided in part by information from the latest agricultural census, revealed a sharp drop in Latino farms from 2002 to 2007.
Overall, Missouri saw a 37 percent drop in Latino farms with Nebraska experiencing a 44 percent decline. While neither state has an enormous number of farms with Latinos as the principal operator, Nebraska has 166 and Missouri 444, the decline is troubling.
Not all Latino farms are disappearing in the two states. Overall small farms saw a substantial increase in Latino principal operators. Nebraska doubled the number of small farms (less than 10 acres) with Latinos as principal operators, while Missouri saw their numbers increase by 18 percent. These increases, however, were not enough to offset the larger demographic shifts.
The decline in Latino farms is troubling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which in recent months has sought to emphasize diversity in agriculture. The last several years have seen the USDA sued by a number of minority farmers who have advocated discriminatory lending practices. The drop in Latino farms in these two states serves as an indicator that the USDA has a long way to go still.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: missouri, nebraska, usda
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Monday, February 8th, 2010
The Nebraska Farm Bureau has released a list of the top five agricultural problems for Nebraska producers in 2009.
It is not a surprise to many that the number one concern for producers in 2009 was the livestock industry. With such epidemics as the H1N1 virus, many people were apprehensive to buy pork. There was also a strong decline in exports overseas. Farm Bureau President Keith Olsen said, “The year 2009 was a year most livestock farmers would like to forget.”
The second biggest concern was a late harvest. The harvest was comparable to the slowest harvest ever recorded in 1972. The high moisture level in the soil was to blame.
Water problems and developments with the Republican River compliance, The Lower Platte Basin and integrated management plans also greatly affected producers in 2009. “Agriculture has a lot of issues related to water that are being dealt with,” Olsen said.
Another problem in 2009 was the increase of interest in animal cruelty and production tools. Many bans and plans for laws put a strain on many producers. This includes animal tagging and the treatment of livestock animals.
Finally the use of commodity check-off funds influenced the industry by helping balance the state’s deficient.
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Tags: farm bureau, nebraska, usda
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Although soybeans are the most desired crop in the U.S. this season, they are at their lowest price this month and most of it is thanks to favorable weather this summer.
Nebraska is the fifth-biggest soybean-producer and found that pod counts are up 9.1 percent from last year. Experts say the crop is “unbelievable” and the weather is to thank.
Prices for soybeans dropped to its lowest of $9.405, its lowest since July 30. However, it made a recovery to $9.58 a bundle.
Soybeans are the second-biggest crop bringing in $27.4 billion annually. Act now to join the booming industry.
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Tags: crop, nebraska, soybeans
Posted in General, Nebraska Farm Loans | No Comments »
Thursday, February 19th, 2009
Economic development officials pushed to provide two rural counties with national rankings for high-speed Internet access on farms and have seen great success thanks to aggression.
The development project is for Kearney County, Nebraska and Clay County, Iowa. Developers feel that the broadband access will gives farms in the area a competitive edge.
“We may have someone from Minden, Nebraska, come up with the next Yahoo,” said Lisa Stadler, executive director of the Kearney County Economic Development Agency based in Minden.
According to the 2007 agriculture census, Kearney County, Nebraska ranks seventh among rural counties with the highest percentage of farmers connected to high-speed Internet. 65 percent of Kearney County’s farms are connected to high speed Internet.
Clay County on the other hand ranks 20th with 58 percent of its farms connected to high-speed Internet.
The numbers are most important because they show that rural farms have the opportunity to run modern businesses. The Internet provides not only connection to less rural areas, but it is a gateway to deliver goods and services as well as strike up more business. Farmers mostly rely on it to conduct business that cannot be done face to face.
In comparison to the rest of the country, Kearney County, Nebraska was beat by Nantucket (Mass.), Pitkin (Colorado.), Hood River (Oregon.), and three other ski counties in Colorado.
If you are interested in buying rural land for agriculture, farm loans and ranch loans are available today. Contact a representative at Farm Plus with any questions about farm loans or ranch loans. Interest rates are at historic lows. Call toll free 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information.
Tags: colorado, iowa, nebraska, rural
Posted in Iowa farm loans, Nebraska Farm Loans | No Comments »
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