“Guest Worker Program Rules Posted”
Under changes published by the U.S. Labor Department, companies that seek H-2A visas for ag workers will have to provide documented evidence that they have looked for qualified U.S. citizens to fill the jobs. Previously, they only had to indicate they had looked for qualified workers. The rule will be effective March 15, 2010.
The agency said, in announcing the changes, that the Department of Homeland Security may not approve an H-2A visa petition unless the Department of Labor, through its Employment and Training Administration, – certifies that there are not sufficient U.S. workers qualified and available to perform the labor involved in the petition and that the employment of the foreign worker will not have an adverse effect on the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman says – the new program will be the most difficult ever for agricultural employers to administer. Stallman asks – is it the right policy of the United States to require that only those who are legally eligible to work in this country should be given U.S. jobs. According to the Farm Bureau President, – it is the responsibility of the administration and Congress to authorize a useful program that enables capable, dependable and willing employees to come to the U.S. temporarily to do the jobs that domestic workers don’t’ want.
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“Dairy H-2A Bill Proposal Coming”
Vermont U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy says he will introduce legislation to address the Labor Department’s new rules that exclude the dairy industry from eligibility for certification in the seasonal agricultural worker program. Leahy says, – this rule falls short, leaving dairy farms in the lurch. The final rule continues to exclude the dairy industry from lawfully hiring seasonal foreign workers when needed. The agency claims that because dairy workers are needed year-round, they do not fit the ‘temporary or seasonal’ definition of an H-2A worker.
In its new rules on seasonal agricultural workers, the Labor Department said it has – no legal authority – to include the entire dairy industry in the H-2A visa program. The program allows farmers to lawfully hire foreign workers when needed, to help keep American farms productive. Dairy farmers have been unable to take advantage of the H-2A visa program due to the year-round nature of dairy farming.
Leahy says the law he is proposing – will make explicit in law that dairy farms can use the H-2A program, ensuring that dairy farmers throughout the nation can find the labor they need to stay in business, meeting the needs of their communities and the nation’s families.
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“Jobs Bill To Be Considered in Two Parts”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will break the jobs bill proposal into two parts and bringing the jobs-related incentives to a vote on February 22. The remaining measures, not directly related to jobs, would be offered later as a separate bill. The job related provisions are part of a business incentives and unemployment aid package negotiated by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus and his GOP counterpart, Senator Charles Grassley.
An aide to Reid says, – we’ll deal with those other provisions soon and throughout the year. Those other provisions include the estate tax, which is set at zero now but will jump to 55 percent in 2011 on estates worth one-million dollars or more. Also put on hold is a one-year extension of flood insurance and billions of dollars for research and development.
The centerpiece of the streamlined Senate jobs package would exempt companies from paying Social Security taxes for the remainder of 2010 on every new worker who had been unemployed for at least 60 days. The proposal is popular among many lawmakers. But some experts have questioned whether it will actually create many jobs for its estimated cost of 13-billion dollars over 10 years.
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“Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program Underway”
USDA is taking the first step toward addressing veterinary shortages throughout rural America by repaying the student loans of qualified veterinarians in return for their services in areas suffering from a lack of veterinarians. Implementation of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program began January 22, 2010 when the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which administers the program, released a Federal Register notice asking for comments and nominations for shortage situations.
NIFA is asking chief animal health officials from each state and insular area and appropriate federal animal health officials to nominate areas where shortages exist. Those nominations are due March 8th. A panel of federal and state animal health experts will recommend submitted nomination packages for official designation as a veterinary shortage area. The public will be able to review the areas in list and/or map form, along with information describing the nature of the shortage situation.
In return for a commitment of three years of veterinary service in a designated veterinary shortage area, NIFA may repay up to 25-thousand dollars of student loan debt per year. Benefits are limited to payments of the principal and interest on government and commercial loans received for the attendance at an accredited college of veterinary medicine resulting in a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or the equivalent. NIFA projects applications will be due June 30 and offers will be made by September 30.
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“Organic Rules Announced”
USDA has released the final regulation regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations. This rule amends the National Organic Program regulations to clarify the use of pasture in raising organic ruminants. The department says the rule provides certainty to consumers that organic livestock production is a pasture based system in which animals are actively grazing pasture during the grazing season.
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says – the final rule will give consumers confidence that organic milk or cheese comes from cows raised on pasture, and organic family farmers the assurance that there is one, consistent pasture standard that applies to dairy products.
The main components of the rule include: 1/ Animals must graze pasture during a 120 day season of which 30 percent must be dry matter; 2/ Producers must have a pasture management plan and manage pasture as a crop to meet the feed requirements; and, 3/ Livestock are exempt from the 30 percent dry matter intake requirements during the finish feeding period, not to exceed 120 days.
The final rule will become effective June 17, 2010. Operations which are already certified organic will have one year to implement the provisions and operations which obtain organic certification after the effective date will be expected to demonstrate full compliance. Although this is a final rule, comments on the exceptions for finish feeding of ruminant slaughter stock may be submitted before April 19, 2010.
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“R-CALF Resolution Addresses Extremist Groups”
R-CALF USA is getting ready to combat groups like the Humane Society of the United States and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. This spring, R-CALF USA members will vote on a proposed resolution that would put on record, R-CALF USA’ stance of opposing extremist animal rights individual’s or groups’ views and tactics.
R-CALF USA Member Jim Foster says the organization has not had, to date, policy on the books stating that cattle farmers and ranchers are the experts when it comes to the proper management of their livestock. According to Foster, – our animals are a tremendous investment in our livelihoods, so of course we’re going to give them what they need to be healthy and productive.
R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry, a Missouri veterinarian who also chairs the group’s animal health committee, says – farmers and ranchers, without doubt, are the best stewards of their land and livestock because that’s what they rely on to pay their bills. Statistics show the U.S. live cattle industry generates to the national economy about 50-billion dollars per year.
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“Soybean Board Members Announced”
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 17 members and one alternate member to the United Soybean Board. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning immediately.
Appointed Soybean Board members are: F.H. Lyons Jr., Arkansas; Mark Detweiler, Georgia; David P. Hartke, Illinois; Karen Fear, Indiana; Laura L. Foell, Iowa; Dennis R. Clark, Kentucky; Raymond S. Schexnayder, Jr., Louisiana; James A. Call, Minnesota; Todd Gibson, Missouri; Mark A. Caspers, Nebraska; Earl B. Hendrix, North Carolina; Vanessa A. Kummer, North Dakota; John B. Motter, Ohio; Jim Musser, Pennsylvania; Stanley R. Hanson, South Dakota; Wade A. Cowan, Texas; and R. Bruce Johnson, Virginia. Georgia resident Walter L. Godwin, was appointed as an alternate member.
The 68-member board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight of the board.
