Saturday, October 3, 1998

Farmers Union calls for Congress to try again on farm relief

By J.T. SMITH

Farm Editor

Texas Farmers Union is asking the U.S. Congress to go back to the drawing board on farm relief.

Action is needed to bolster provisions for grain and livestock producers.

TFU is expressing extreme disappointment over actions of agriculture appropriations conferees earlier this week in failing to adopt an adequate farm relief package. Farmers Union is calling on Congress to reject the weak legislation and send it back to the committee for much-needed improvements.

At the beginning of the week, conferees voted down the stronger $7.3 billion farm relief package offered by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat. His proposal included funds to cover both disaster and economic losses. A provision also was included to increase marketing loan rates for commodities. Farmers Union had fought hard for the latter.

Instead, the committee adopted a $4 billion Republican plan.

While TFU is pleased the committee included natural disaster assistance in the bill, the level and form of relief in the package to address the impact of low commodity prices falls far short.

"Congress has turned a blind eye to the economic disaster impacting producers," said TFU President Wes Sims of Sweetwater. "Not only is the funding level woefully inadequate, there is no assurance the assistance will actually get to the producers who suffered a loss."

TFU also strongly criticized House Republican conferees for their partisanship in voting down key measures to improve market competition for struggling livestock producers.

"We are extremely disappointed that House Republicans turned their backs on independent livestock producers by rejecting mandatory price reporting and country-of-origin labeling," Sims said. "It is unacceptable that these members have chosen to make these critical issues a partisan matter."

Congress has failed to get message

Congress has failed to listen to concerns of America's producers, Sims said.

As recent study by Farm Journal showed that 73 percent of the nation's farmers believe the current farm law does not provide adequate income during low-price periods.

The same percent favored lifting caps on the commodity loan rates.

Under Harkin's measure, producers would receive an estimated additional 60 cents per bushel on wheat, 32 cents on soybeans, and 30 cents on corn, as opposed to the Republican package. By contrast, it would provide only about 13 cents per bushel on wheat, 7 cents on corn and no payment to soybean producers.

The Harkin proposal would provide direct payments to producers based on actual crop losses in 1998. But the Republican plan would provide assistance based on historical production records.

"We call on the House and Senate to soundly and swiftly reject this legislation and send it back to the committee to be reworked," Sims said. "America's producers and consumers deserve better, and Congress can do better. This legislation must go back to the drawing board."

The House and Senate are expected to vote on the negotiated version of the bill in the coming week. Sims urges producers to contact their member of Congress to press for rejection of the current legislation. Members can be reached through the U.S. Capitol operator at (202) 224-3121.

Pioneer announces flat prices for 1999 ag products

Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. has announced a special pricing package for 1999 to respond to the challenging economic conditions faced by crop producers throughout the United States and Canada.

There will be no price increases for 1999 corn and soybean seed products from Pioneer.

The company also will offer a special credit package for 1999 seed purchases that includes financing at 3 percent below the prime interest rate or 0 percent interest for qualified customers.

Pioneer will introduce more than 50 new corn hybrids into the North American market for 1999.

Herbicide and insecticide package programs with price-discount opportunities in conjunction with Pioneer seed purchases include those available with DuPont, AgrEvo, American Cyanamid and FMC in the United States and with AgrEvo in Canada. Growers wanting more information on these programs should contact their local Pioneer Hi-Bred seed supplier or crop protection dealer.

Pork Producers asks USDA to donate pork to Russia

The National Pork Producers Council has asked USDA to donate thousands of metric tons of pork to Russia.

NPPC says the pork donations are necessary to remove burdensome supplies from the U.S. market and would help provide humanitarian aid to Russia.