EPA regulations suffocating U.S. agriculture

The enviromental wackos in the EPA are trying to enact new regulations that would endanger family farms.

According to an article in the Western Farm Press:

In just the last three years, the Environmental Protection Agency has set in motion a significant number of new regulations that will significantly change the face of agriculture. The coming changes threaten the continued operation of family farms and ranches, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Testifying on behalf of AFBF before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, Carl Shaffer, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, said EPA proposals to exert greater regulatory control over agriculture will drive up the cost of producing food, fiber and fuel.

"EPA proposals are overwhelming to farmers and ranchers and are creating a cascade of costly requirements that are likely to drive individual farmers to the tipping point," Shaffer said. "The overwhelming number of proposed regulations on the nation's food system is unprecedented and promises profound effects on both the structure and competitiveness of all of agriculture."

In his testimony, Shaffer said that "EPA is literally piling regulation on top of regulation, and guidance on top of guidance, to the point of erecting barriers to economic growth," said Shaffer.

Just what we need, more regulations that will drive up the cost of food and put family farms out of business.

To read the full article, go here.

Biofuel Policies and the Beef Industry

Harvest season is now here. I am looking forward to a nice infusion of cash from this year's sale of the corn crop from the farm in Nebraska.

I've been told that while we don't have a "bumper crop," the corn market prices will make up for any losses (we did have some hail damage several months ago).

Speaking of corn market prices, I saw an interesting article on beef prices in relation to the competing market for biofuel corn production from the Western Farm Press (I get regular reports from them via email). The article stated in part:

The question that often is asked is: What is the impact of changing biofuel policies on production agriculture? The answer requires solid data, and so does the question on evaluating production costs and herd performance for late-spring (early May) calving in contrast to the traditional spring (late-March, early April) calving in southwestern North Dakota.

Asking a question usually triggers a quick response that implies a simple answer is available. Seldom, if ever, is that true. Determining biofuel policy and its impacts on beef production systems is not simple.

Asking if increasing demand for corn by expanding market options would change prices is a simpler question than determining the biofuel policy impacts on beef production. Nevertheless, the questions are real.

As a participant on the producing end, what happens to the crop after it is sold to the buyer is not my concern. I am a free-marketer who believes in letting the free market (i.e., supply & demand) set prices without government interference. Too often, interference by the government with farm policy regulations written by clueless politicians cause more problems. Federal energy policies pertaining to oil by the current administration are insane anyway.

To read the full article, go here.