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Federal Crop Insurance Sets Prices for Corn, Wheat, Cotton, and Soybeans

USDA /

This week, USDA’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) announced its projected prices for all FCIC crop insurance policies with March 15 sales deadlines for the 2014 crop year, including: Corn: $4.62 per bushel; Cotton: $0.78 per pound; Soybeans: $11.36 per bushel; and Wheat: $6.51 Projected prices were also announced for barley, canola, grain sorghum, popcorn,

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GE To The Rescue

Public Policy, USDA /

It’s not new news to report that genetically engineered (GE) products are under assault. We are in free trade talks with Europe. The EU public is adamantly opposed to GE food. There are bills in 23 of our state legislatures to label foods that contain GE products. The naysayers have a loud voice. However, you

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The 2014 Farm Bill: The Challenge for Farm Producers

Public Policy, USDA /

The 2014 Farm Bill creates a new environment for American agriculture far more friendly to producers who are experienced and comfortable using USDA’s Federal crop insurance program under the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC).  Not only did Congress repeal many of the older crop programs administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, including Direct Payments, Countercyclical

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After FL Convenience Store Loses Food Stamp Vendor Authorization, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Reverses Course in a SNAP

OFW Law News, USDA /

The wheels of justice frequently turn with glacial speed in federal court litigation, especially in cases brought against the United States government.  A recent Middle District of Florida lawsuit brought by OFW Law on behalf of a central Florida convenience store in a SNAP vendor case is a notable exception.  This federal action addressed the

After FL Convenience Store Loses Food Stamp Vendor Authorization, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Reverses Course in a SNAP Read More »

Practical Tips From “Dr. Doom and Ms. Gloom”

FDA, OFW Law News, USDA /

Meet “Dr. Doom” and “Ms. Gloom” “Dr. Doom” Mixed in with the attorneys at OFW Law is the former USDA Food Safety Inspection Service’s (FSIS) Administrator, Dr. Barbara Masters.  Dr. Masters is a veterinarian who spent eighteen years with FSIS – the final three years as Acting Administrator and Administrator.  During her rise to the

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Former Minority Counsel to House Ag Committee, Nathan Fretz, Joins OFW Law

1 Comment / OFW Law News, Public Policy, USDA /

We are pleased to announce that Nathaniel “Nathan” Fretz, Esq., formerly with the House Agriculture Committee staff, will be joining OFW in the practice of law.  Fretz, who will join our Government Relations Practice, also served in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Please click the announcement, below, to enlarge it.

Former Minority Counsel to House Ag Committee, Nathan Fretz, Joins OFW Law Read More »

RMA “Self Certification”: Can Federal Crop Insurance AIPs Rely on It In Defending Against Farmer Claims?

OFW Law News, USDA /

Federal crop insurance provided by USDA’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) and participating private companies (Approved Insurance Providers or AIPs) is often described as a program based on “self-certification.”  Farmers annually report their own acreage, ownership, yield histories, and other key information, mostly on an honor system.  FCIC and AIPs require support documents, and can

RMA “Self Certification”: Can Federal Crop Insurance AIPs Rely on It In Defending Against Farmer Claims? Read More »

OFW Law Wins Arbitration Decision Against Major Crop Insurance Company – Federal Agency Not Always Entitled to Deference in Interpretation of Its Rules

OFW Law News, USDA /

OFW Law recently prevailed in Arbitration on behalf of a farm producer against a major insurance provider under USDA’s Federal crop insurance program.  The case hinged on whether a foreign individual with an ownership interest several layers removed from the insured held a “substantial beneficial interest” (“SBI”) as defined in USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)

OFW Law Wins Arbitration Decision Against Major Crop Insurance Company – Federal Agency Not Always Entitled to Deference in Interpretation of Its Rules Read More »

FNS Permanently Eliminates Grain and Protein Maximums; Allows Sugar to Process Frozen Fruit in School Nutrition Programs

USDA /

According to an advance copy of the rule made public earlier today, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will be making permanent the elimination of weekly maximums on grains and meat/meat alternates, and the allowance of processing frozen fruit with sugar, within the National School Lunch Program.  The rule will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, January

FNS Permanently Eliminates Grain and Protein Maximums; Allows Sugar to Process Frozen Fruit in School Nutrition Programs Read More »

U.S. Farm Income

Public Policy, USDA /

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report from earlier in the month revealed that national net farm income—a key indicator of U.S. farm well-being—is forecast at a record $131 billion in 2013, up 15% from last year, and about $13 billion above 2011’s previous record. In addition to record net farm income, farm wealth is also at record levels.

U.S. Farm Income Read More »

Wetland Compliance: USDA’s National Appeals Division Confirms a Rule of Reason and Science

USDA /

Not all “wetlands” are equal.  And while protecting these previous environmental legacies is a high priority for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), its power to penalize farmers for inadvertent wetland conversions must be tempered by reason and science. The National Appeals Division (NAD) recently underscored this message in a Hearing Officer Determination (FSA chose not

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A Safe Thanksgiving

Miscellaneous, USDA /

I am always amazed each Thanksgiving that my friends have questions on “cooking turkey.”  I am even more amazed that they ask me questions, because I have a solid reputation for not being able to cook anything!  That said, perhaps they ask because I do know how to make certain the turkey makes it safely

A Safe Thanksgiving Read More »

A SNAP It’s Not

Public Policy, USDA /

By Marshall L. Matz with Molly O’Connor, as published by Agri-Pulse The food stamp program, currently called SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) has exploded in size and may now be the biggest hurdle to a farm bill.  As of August, some 48 million Americans participated in the program at a cost of almost $80 billion a year.

A SNAP It’s Not Read More »

FSIS Rule Expanding Generic Label Approval Should Benefit Industry, but at What Cost?

USDA /

Last week, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a final rule to significantly expand the categories of meat and poultry labels that may be generically approved without formally submitting them to FSIS for approval, as well as a Labeling Compliance Guidance regarding the final rule.  Currently, labels that are applied to meat and poultry

FSIS Rule Expanding Generic Label Approval Should Benefit Industry, but at What Cost? Read More »

Upcoming Webinar on Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (CLE Credit Opportunity)

OFW Law News, USDA /

The National Agricultural Law Center is hosting a webinar on USDA’s Country of Origin Labeling rule for meat sold in retail establishments. The webinar, “COOL or Not-So-COOL: An Overview and Discussion of Country of Origin Labeling,” will take place on November 14, 2013, at 1 PM (EST). The webinar will feature a friendly point-counterpoint discussion

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Building the Relationship

USDA /

In a time when there is an information vacuum, I would encourage all meat and poultry establishment operators to “build the relationship” with their FSIS inspection program personnel (IPP).  While these individuals have a specific job to perform, verification and enforcement of the regulations, we all have the same goal – the shipment of safe

Building the Relationship Read More »

Livestock & Meat Groups Want COOL Relief Pending WTO Review

USDA /

On Monday, a group of trade associations representing the spectrum of America’s beef and pork production system issued an urgent plea to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Froman. The coalition wants USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to hold off on enforcing new country of origin labeling requirements until the

Livestock & Meat Groups Want COOL Relief Pending WTO Review Read More »

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