American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President for Public Affairs Sam Kieffer September 30 on confusion surrounding a proposed methane tax. “To clear up any confusion, I want to make clear that the current language of the reconciliation bill does not impose a methane tax on agriculture. Read Full Article
Neighbors helping Neighbors. It’s what we do in agriculture and in the great state of Wyoming. For the 102nd year, agricultural neighbors will gather at the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Annual Meeting to help their neighbors in the grassroots policy development process. The WyFB 102nd Annual Meeting is Nov. 11-13, 2021 at the Holiday Inn in Cody. Read Full Article
The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation along with the American Farm Bureau Federation and 45 state Farm Bureaus and 280 organizations representing family-owned agribusinesses, sent a letter September 8 to congressional leaders urging them to leave important tax policies in place as they draft legislation implementing President Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda. The letter addresses four key tax provisions that make it possible for farmers and ranchers to survive and pass their businesses on to the next generation: estate taxes, stepped-up basis, 199A small business deduction and like-kind exchanges. Read Full Article
The American Farm Bureau Federation submitted recommendations September 3 on the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The comments were filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers. In June 2021, the EPA announced its intent to revise the definition of WOTUS and solicited pre-proposal recommendations. Read Full Article
The American Farm Bureau Federation today sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack detailing a list of solutions to address critical supply chain issues facing America’s farmers and ranchers. AFBF details seven priorities for USDA to consider in response to President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains. Read Full Article
Clean water is a top priority for farmers and ranchers. The Navigable Waters Protection Rule has provided both clean water and much needed clarity. This rule fixed the problems of the 2015 WOTUS Rule bringing clarity to how you farm and ranch. Read Full Article
The American Farm Bureau August 6 sent a letter to all 100 U.S. senators expressing support for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The following statement may be attributed to AFBF President Zippy Duvall: “Modernizing America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be a priority for our members, which is why we are supporting this bipartisan legislation. The investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, ports and inland waterways are not just necessary, they are long overdue. This legislation also provides critical investments that will expand broadband internet access and repair and upgrade aging western water infrastructure that is, in many cases, 50 Read Full Article
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented July 28 on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearings on the current state of the beef supply chain. “American Farm Bureau appreciates the work of the committees in both houses of Congress to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of our country’s food systems, specifically livestock markets. Read Full Article
July 27, 2021–The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is deeply saddened to learn of Senator Mike Enzi’s passing. “We want to pass along our condolences to his family,” said WyFB President Todd Fornstrom. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” “Senator Enzi represented Wyoming well and gave unstintingly of his time to represent our citizens. “He was one of the advocates of the 80/20 principle where you looked for the 80 percent of the items you could agree on and worked to advance the policies which helped all our citizens and did not worry about the 20 percent on which Read Full Article
July 16, 2021, Cheyenne – Governor Mark Gordon is convening a Colorado River Working Group that will meet regularly to discuss important Colorado River matters and monitor potential impacts to Wyoming. The action comes in response to drought conditions in the Colorado, Green and Little Snake River basins that have led the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to announce drawdowns from Flaming Gorge Reservoir in order to maintain minimum levels at Lake Powell. At this time no restrictions on Wyoming water users are proposed. Read Full Article