Small Ranchers, Big Problems Jan 25, 2021
Some farmers are pushing for a bill that would allow states to set their own regulations for the retail sale of meat. It has failed to pass Congress five times. Some states have a shortage of meat processors that are USDA-inspected, limiting how much livestock farmers can raise. Photography courtesy of Grace Pond Farm
1K Shares
When Rhiannon Hampson’s dairy herd births a male calf, she jumps on the phone that week to schedule its slaughter two years away. She crosses her fingers that the date she books will work or she’ll be able to trade with another farmer for the eight-hour round trip to the USDA-certified processing facility, one of only five in Maine.
Peter Dazely/iStock/Getty Images Plus Farmers be aware if tax rates go higher, death tax exemption lowered and step-up basis at death modified or eliminated.
This is the third installment of a special multi-part series offering what we might see under the incoming President Joe Biden administration.
“Plan for the worst and hope for the best.” Words of wisdom in dealing with what could be a very problematic tax situation for farmers, according to Roger McEowen, professor of agricultural law and taxation at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kan.
“I try to tell farmers, divorce yourself from the politics of it and deal with the reality of it. The problem is right now, we don’t know what the reality is going to be until we see how the politics of this plays out,” says McEowen. “It’s horrible to have your business dependent on what people in Congress do who don’t understand the full impact.”
Tom J. Bechman
SUPPORT FOR BEEF: When these cattle are sold at market, $1 per head will be forwarded to the Beef Checkoff for promotion and research. Indiana’s officer on the board explains how it works and what producers need to know.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board is the national group that oversees the Beef Checkoff. Indiana has one member on the 100-member board, known as the CBB. Currently, Norman Voyles Jr. is secretary-treasurer of the CBB. Here is an exclusive interview with him:
Can you provide a quick history of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board? CBB manages the National Beef Checkoff. Language providing for a referendum to establish the Beef Checkoff was included in the 1985 Farm Bill. By statute, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service oversees it. The referendum passed in 1988 with 79% producer approval.
This must be one of the best branding campaigns of all time when years ago the Minnesota Beef Research and Promotion Council came up with the Beef It s What s For Dinner. I cannot remember the name of the person with the deep voice on the ad but I will never forget how it sounded! Well, very soon you will see Beef It s What s For Dinner at the Daytona International Speedway, and maybe we will hear it too on one of the commercials during the race?
The Federation of State Beef Councils and Daytona International Speedway announced that the historic 40th season-opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the 2.5 mile venue will be known as the Beef It s What s For Dinner 300. This race will be held the day before the 63rd Daytona 500 and will be part of a double header that will also feature the Lucas Oil 200.