The Farm Post eNews

Friday eNews from the Pike and Scott County Farm Bureaus
 

MARCH 4, 2016

Leaders back from DC
Eleven members of the Pike and Scott County Farm Bureaus returned from Washington D.C. last night from a three day study tour.

The organizations take a group of farmers to the nation's capital every two years.

One of the highlights of this year's trip was a visit to the Embassy of Argentina. The nation recently implemented a turn to more open markets and improved economic policies that will have an impact of U.S. producers.

Read more about the trip in Howdy! in the next edition of The Farm Post.
Senate Ag approves GMO Label Bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved Sen. Pat Roberts' GMO labeling bill on a 14-6 vote, a move that met with Farm Bureau's approval. The legislation is to receive a high priority for scheduling by the majority leader.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall called the bipartisan committee approval of the bill "a reaffirmation of common sense and fair play in the marketplace" in a statement. "The legislation establishes national standards for foods made with genetically engineered ingredients, ensuring consumers and farmers aren't forced to deal with a confusing patchwork of different state labeling mandates," Duvall said. Further, "It requires that labels be based in science and supports our long-standing grassroots policy for voluntary labeling and factual information sharing on the value of this important agricultural technology."
SCOTUS says no to Chesapeake review
supreme court bldg
On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it will not examine the lawfulness of the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay "Blueprint." AFBF President Zippy Duvall expressed Farm Bureau's disappointment in the decision in a statement.

"EPA has asserted the power to sit as a federal zoning board, dictating which land can be farmed and where homes, roads and schools can be built," Duvall said. "We remain firm in opposing this unlawful expansion of EPA's power." Duvall said Farm Bureau will closely monitor the agency's actions in connection with the Bay blueprint, as well as any efforts to impose similar mandates in other areas.

"This lawsuit has ended, but the larger battle over the scope of EPA's power is not over," Duvall said.
Get your OTR Booklet On-line
Did you miss the Illinois Farm Bureau's On-the-Road Seminar earlier this month? If so, you can download the OTR Winter 2016 Booklet now.

The booklet is a great resource for motor carrier safety, motor fuel taxes, hazardous materials transportation, commercial drivers' license, carrier for hire, safety testing, emissions testing, size & weight, USDOT#, UCR, vehicle registration, drug & alcohol screening program and Illinois State Police motor carrier safety officer.

Check out all the truck regulations on IFB's website.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Last CSA Flag
 March 4, 1865

 While their world fell apart around them, the Congress of the Confederate States of America passed a bill establishing the CSA's third and final national emblem.

The flag was known as the blood stained flag and incorporated the confederate battle flag. A red bar was added to reduce confusion of the flag being mistaken for a surrender flag.

In a little more than a month, Richmond would fall and the Army of Northern Virginia would surrender at Appomattox numbering the days of the Civil War.
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