Farm Bill news, Federation scholarships given, a utility tax takes effect, and more!

And now, national news.

The US Senate adjourned Friday, October 2nd, without taking up the Farm Bill that passed out of committee along a party-line vote.

The Farm Bill is three years late in updating, with the third extension expiring at the end of this Senate session.

A frustrated majority leader and ag committee member John Thune complained recently.

There were 100 Democrat amendments in the Farm Bill that they block voted against.

That is inexcusable in farm country.

Top ag committee Democrat Amy Klobuchar insisted at the Farm Bill markup that Democrats don't oppose the Farm Bill, but only after a Snap funding fight is worked out and after the midterms.

There's a lot we agree on this bill, and that we really can't afford to not get this done by the end of the year.

But Thune claims it's all about the elections.

I have never seen a time in my time in public life, and certainly as, as it relates to dealing with farm bills, where you had the, this kind of a partisan, and, and frankly, on a bill, on a bill that the Democrats were involved in negotiating.

With the outcome of the November elections hanging in the balance, the bill could either continue where it left off before the break or, depending on the makeup of a new Senate ag committee, start from scratch.

As the Senate stands today, Republicans lack the 60 votes needed procedurally to take up the Farm Bill on the Senate floor.

Director of Governmental and Agricultural Programs Mitt Walker had this to say about the delay in passage.

I think both parties are kind of looking to the, uh, election in November before they're really gonna be ready to budge on this.

They've adjourned, uh, until after the election.

That can be a, a positive thing, though.

Lots of times after you get past the election, cooler heads prevail.

We certainly hope that'll be the case, uh, in getting this bill wrapped up, and, uh, certainly don't wanna have to start the, the process over in the next Congress.

The, the hard work's been done, and it's just time to get it across the finish line.

Farm groups like the Alabama Farmers Federation urge Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill rather than another extension.

The United States and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries, including several major US agriculture commodities.

Under the US-China Board of Trade, each country recommended $30 billion in non-sensitive goods for more favorable tariff treatment.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the move would improve market access for about 30% of US exports to China.

Reuters said China's list includes US corn, wheat, sorghum, meat, dairy, vegetable oils, and meals.

However, soybeans were excluded from the tariff cut list.

And now, national news.

The US Senate adjourned Friday, October 2nd, without taking up the Farm Bill that passed out of committee along a party-line vote.

The Farm Bill is three years late in updating, with the third extension expiring at the end of this Senate session.

A frustrated majority leader and ag committee member John Thune complained recently.

There were 100 Democrat amendments in the Farm Bill that they block voted against.

That is inexcusable in farm country.

Top ag committee Democrat Amy Klobuchar insisted at the Farm Bill markup that Democrats don't oppose the Farm Bill, but only after a Snap funding fight is worked out and after the midterms.

There's a lot we agree on this bill, and that we really can't afford to not get this done by the end of the year.

But Thune claims it's all about the elections.

I have never seen a time in my time in public life, and certainly as, as it relates to dealing with farm bills, where you had the, this kind of a partisan, and, and frankly, on a bill, on a bill that the Democrats were involved in negotiating.

With the outcome of the November elections hanging in the balance, the bill could either continue where it left off before the break or, depending on the makeup of a new Senate ag committee, start from scratch.

As the Senate stands today, Republicans lack the 60 votes needed procedurally to take up the Farm Bill on the Senate floor.

Director of Governmental and Agricultural Programs Mitt Walker had this to say about the delay in passage.

I think both parties are kind of looking to the, uh, election in November before they're really gonna be ready to budge on this.

They've adjourned, uh, until after the election.

That can be a, a positive thing, though.

Lots of times after you get past the election, cooler heads prevail.

We certainly hope that'll be the case, uh, in getting this bill wrapped up, and, uh, certainly don't wanna have to start the, the process over in the next Congress.

The, the hard work's been done, and it's just time to get it across the finish line.

Farm groups like the Alabama Farmers Federation urge Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill rather than another extension.

The United States and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries, including several major US agriculture commodities.

Under the US-China Board of Trade, each country recommended $30 billion in non-sensitive goods for more favorable tariff treatment.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the move would improve market access for about 30% of US exports to China.

Reuters said China's list includes US corn, wheat, sorghum, meat, dairy, vegetable oils, and meals.

However, soybeans were excluded from the tariff cut list.