June 22, 2023

BLM Extends Comment Period for Public Lands Conservation Rule; CAFB Supports Legislation to Stop the Rule

The Bureau of Land Management has extended the public comment period for their proposed Public Lands Rule by 15 days resulting in a 90-day comment period. The new deadline to provide input is now July 5, 2023. On June 6, CAFB and other grazing stakeholders submitted a request to BLM seeking a 105-day comment period extension to allow for a full 180 days. Additionally, the House Natural Resources Committee approved H.R. 3397 this week, legislation that would require the BLM Director to withdraw the rule. CAFB supports H.R. 3397 and its Senate companion bill S. 1435. CAFB will submit comments on the proposed rule before the July 5 deadline.

Reminder: Prevented Planting

Listening Sessions

A friendly reminder that USDA’s Risk Management Agency listening sessions on prevented planting will commence this week with the first two for the region scheduled to be held in California and the third in Arizona. The first will be held June 27 from 10 AM to 12 PM in Tulelake, CA and the second will be held June 28 from 1-3 PM in Davis, CA. RMA regional representatives will be in attendance. During the sessions, RMA will be looking for feedback on the following: the “1 in 4” requirement for previous crop years, 10% additional coverage, coverage on contracted crops, and other general questions including higher premiums for expanded benefits and pre-planting costs for different causes of loss. For more information, view USDA’s press release at the link below.

USDA Extends Application Deadline

for ERP to July 14

The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) continues to take “Phase Two” submissions for those that experienced natural disasters in 2020 and/or 2021. Originally slated to end at the beginning of June, that submission phase remains open now through July 14^th. ERP grew out of what was formerly the Wildfire & Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (or WHIP+) and is intended to help agricultural producers offset losses from disasters such as drought, smoke exposure, excessive moisture, freeze, and other disasters. Members are highly encouraged to apply if they believe they qualify for disaster funding. Unlike the Phase One payments, which were pre-selected and relied on those already utilizing crop insurance or other programs, Phase Two payments require applicable parties to reach out on their own and provide more paperwork. Further instructions are outlined in the portal listed below.

Farm Service Agency Now Accepting Nominations for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on Local County Committees

Last week, the USDA announced that they would be accepting nominations for Local County Committees, of which farmers and ranchers are encouraged to submit nominations within their Local Administrative Area (LAA). These committees help the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in an advisory board capacity, which can help shape USDA program usage at a local level, assist in hiring decisions, and help with outreach within the community. The committees serve as useful tools in helping ensure local producers have an active stake in their regional FSA office work. FSA offices serve as the primary point of contact for USDA outreach and program involvement with farmers and ranchers. For more information on nominations or the LAAs, click below.

House Closes Farm Bill Portals, Writing Begins

Late last week, the US House Agriculture Committee closed their internal and external portals on Farm Bill submissions. The portals served as a means to help facilitate priority submissions from public and private stakeholders. The Senate had a similar setup which closed earlier in the Spring. CAFB has worked with much of our delegation and other stakeholders to help unify our message on both ends of the portals. With a September 30^th deadline quickly approaching, the House now heads into the difficult process of writing the actual legislation, while weighing all of the varied interests. Unlike other large bills, the Farm Bill is often harder to gauge where majority opinions lie. The bipartisan bill often will be broken down more along regional lines than political spectrums. It remains to be seen how practical the September deadline remains, but key ag leaders continue to suggest it is doable.