Agriculture Committee Leaders Provide Broad Frameworks for Farm Bill

May 15, 2024 Issue

INDUSTRY NEWS

This week, both the House and Senate majorities published general summaries making up the core pillars of each respective Farm Bill legislative proposal. House Republicans led off with a title by title summary of the Republican version of the bill earlier this week. Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA-15) noted his intent to hold a markup hearing for their bill on May 23rd. Full legislative text would be released several days beforehand. MORE

Source: Constitution Partners

5 Takeaways from Competing Democratic, GOP Farm Bill Plans

House Republicans and Democrats have released two dueling visions for the farm bill, the massive $1.5 trillion omnibus that underpins the U.S. food system. The contrasting proposals show the fault lines between the two parties’ visions for American agriculture as it is beset by rising supply costs and climate change. MORE

Source: Constitution Partners

Click Here for Pack & Inspect Group

USTR Releases Findings of Section 301 Statutory Review

The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced the long-awaited results of the Section 301 tariff statutory review, following congressional and industry pressure. The White House fact sheet includes industries targeted by the review, including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and critical minerals, solar cells, and medical products. Each of these sectors will see a 25-100% increase in tariff rates for products imported from China beginning in 2024 through 2026. The findings from the report indicate that China has continued to engage in technology transfer-related practices that impede U.S. commerce, despite not eliminating them. USTR comments that China’s persistence, accompanied with aggressive actions such as cyber-attacks and theft, exacerbate trade challenges. Economic analyses presented suggested that tariffs, specifically the Section 301 tariffs on China, have had a modest negative impact on the overall United States economic welfare but have bolstered domestic production in sectors directly affected by the tariffs.

Source: Michael Best Strategies

Tariffs Imposed on Some Chinese Canned Vegetables Note from MWFPA

It is our understanding that a 25% tariff rate on canned vegetable products has been imposed on the following items: beans (shelled), carrots, green or wax beans, mixed vegetables, peas, potatoes, sauerkraut, sweet corn. We will provide further details as they are made available. The import categories subject to tariff increases include rate hikes on all steel imports from China, which will go from 301 tariffs ranging between 0% and 7.5%, to blanket tariffs of 25% on all products in this category. USTR’s full report accompanying the conclusion of the review may be reviewed HERE.

Booth Registration for the 2024 MWFPA Convention & Expo Opens Monday June 3rd!

All exhibitors registering during the month of June will be assigned a location based on priority points earned via past years of membership and exhibiting

Starting July 1st booths will be assigned on a first come first served basis

Most booths include two staff attendees

Booth staff are registered via a different system than booths - an email for registering your booth staff will be sent to your primary booth contact.

House, Senate Farm Bill Summaries Show SNAP, Climate Division

House and Senate Agriculture committee leaders released summaries of proposed farm bills Wednesday as they ramp up action on agricultural policy legislation, but they remain divided on food stamp benefits and on the use of conservation funds already appropriated. Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., released a section-by-section summary that she described in a press briefing as “very mainstream,” saying it contains more than 100 bipartisan bills. MORE

Source: MBS

Click Here for Teledyne TapTone

US Vegetable Sales Soar by 82% Amid Declines in Harvest Area and Farms

According to the recently released Census of Agriculture, 69,452 farms reported the harvest of vegetables in 2022 — a 6.5% decrease from the 2017 Census. MORE

Source: CLFP

Age Of U.S. Farmers: Not A Problem

The older age of U.S. farmers remains a topic of concern (see, for example, U.S. Senate Committee on Aging). The 2022 Census of Agriculture confirms that U.S. farmers continue to age (Farmdoc Daily. Oct. 23, 2013 and Feb. 26, 2020, and Zulauf, 2021). However, U.S. farmers are also becoming younger relative to the U.S. population, and the age distribution of U.S. farmers is consistent with more farmers entering the profession when economic returns are good. In total, this evidence is not consistent with the U.S. having either a farmer aging or a farmer replacement problem. MORE

Source: Constitution Partners

Social Security Will Not Be Able to Pay Full Benefits In 2035 If Congress Doesn’t Act. Medicare Has a Little More Time

Social Security and Medicare will not be able to fully pay benefits in just over a decade if lawmakers don’t act to address the pending shortfalls, according to reports released Monday by the entitlement programs’ trustees. While the trust funds’ finances improved slightly, they remain in dire shape. The combined Social Security trust funds – which help support monthly payments to the elderly, survivors and people with disabilities – are expected to be exhausted in 2035, one year later than previously forecast, according to its trustees’ annual report. After that, payroll tax revenue and other income sources will only be able to cover 83% of benefits owed. MORE

Source: MBS

Click Here for Forward Food Solutions

U.S. Employers Scaled Back Hiring in April but Still Added 175,000 Jobs in the Face of Higher Rates

The nation’s employers pulled back on their hiring in April but still added a decent 175,000 jobs in a sign that persistently high interest rates may be starting to slow the robust U.S. job market. MORE

Source: MN Chamber

Click for JAX

Exploring the Impact of Food Fraud

According to estimates from the Food and Drug Administration, food fraud could affect at least 1% of the global food industry, costing as much as $40 billion. It's a much more common issue than many may think, and it has knock-on effects on both consumers and the farming industry producing the food. MORE

Source: CLFP

OSHA Advisory Committee Gives a Thumbs-Up to Proposed Heat Rule

OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health has unanimously recommended that the agency move forward with its proposed standard on protecting workers from excessive heat. “As part of the rulemaking process, the agency will seek and consider input from a wide range of stakeholders and the public at-large as it works to propose and finalize its rule,” OSHA says a May 8 press release. MORE

Source: WMC

Click for Clean Water Technology

Webinar: Entity Filing Obligations

The Corporate Transparency Act Requirements Explained

Wednesday May 22^nd at 10 AM – Compliments of Ruder Ware

Entities are now legally obligated to report beneficial owner information to the federal government under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Since the CTA came into effect on January 1, 2024, individuals and businesses alike are grappling with the question: “Do I need to file?”

If you own any interest in an entity (corporation, LLC, or any other entity created by filing with a secretary of state's office or similar office), this webinar will help you understand your obligations under the CTA. Join Amy Ebeling, Jake Schraeder, and Lucas Sczygelski on May 22 where they will provide clarity on reporting requirements and address the challenges with complying with the CTA requirements.

Don’t miss this opportunity to demystify the CTA and ensure your compliance. Register

DEED Says Minnesota Paid Leave Program Could Need 25% Higher Payroll Tax Than First Proposed

Evan Rowe of DEED said during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing that the agency will seek a payroll tax of 0.88% for the state’s new paid leave program — split between workers and employers — rather than the 0.7% that was originally discussed last year, if the bill becomes law. Rowe told the committee that the new payroll tax rate comes from an updated actuarial analysis conducted by Milliman. MORE

Source: MN Chamber

Click Here for Miura

Wisconsin Retains Top Spot in National Cheese Production

Wisconsin's dominance in the American cheese industry continues. In 2023, the state maintained its position as the nation's leading cheese producer, accounting for an impressive 25% of the total national cheese production. Specialty cheeses, renowned for their premium quality and distinct characteristics, are a significant driver of Wisconsin's cheese industry. MORE

Source: WMC

Click Here for Lubrication Engineers

Florida Bans Lab-Grown Meat

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Wednesday banning lab-grown meat in the state, claiming it is being pushed for “authoritarian goals.” The technology to produce lab-grown meat is still in development, though two companies recently received approval to sell lab-grown chicken. Lab-grown meat usually begins with a sample from animal cells that is fed with essential ingredients like vitamins and amino acids to produce meat. Florida isn’t the only state to try to ban the production and sale of meat grown in a lab, with Alabama, Arizona and Tennessee also attempting to ban the product. MORE

Source: WMC

Imaginasium Announces Jen Fietz as New Owner and CEO

Imaginasium, a research-based and strategy-led marketing agency for manufacturers, is proud to announce Jen Fietz as its new owner and CEO. Fietz replaces former owner and CEO, Denis Kreft. “I knew shortly after meeting Jen in 2019 that she had what it took to lead Imaginasium into the next era,” said Kreft. “She has proven time and time again how skilled she is at strategy and leading the team as well as our clients to new heights.” MORE

Source: WMC

Ampco Applied Products Becomes the New Rep for HST Homogenizers in North America

Ampco Applied Products (AAP) continues to expand its mixing and blending capabilities with the introduction of HST homogenizers and pre-2000 Gaulin replacement parts. HST, a German manufacturer and a fellow member of the Krones Group, has been manufacturing quality homogenizers for more than 20 years. The company's HL Series is based on the robust drive-end technology of pre-2000 Gaulin homogenizers. In addition, HST models incorporate several innovations designed to improve efficiency and service life. AAP will provide replacement parts and service support for HST homogenizers in North America. MORE

Managing Mind & Body Health: Fruits & Veggies to The Rescue!

Our mind and body are so integrated we even use “heartache” and “gut-wrenching” to describe our emotions. Research shows that fruits and veggies can benefit our mental, physical and long-term health. Food and nutrition scientist Dr. Taylor Wallace explains. MORE

Source: PBH Foundation