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Instead of holding one large Commodity Conference this year at which most Ohio Farm Bureau commodity committees would meet and discuss policy and issues, the individual groups gathered for separate meetings during the past three months.

"The input we receive from these advisory committees is very important for Farm Bureau’s policy development process," according to David White, OFBF director of commodity relations. "We are able to take any suggestions we obtain from these meetings and present them to Farm Bureau’s board or the state policy development committee for their consideration. So the input we get from these advisory committees is extremely valuable."

Here are summaries of those sessions:

Committee members recommended continuing to support current OFBF and AFBF policies regarding check-offs. The national beef check-off was created by the 1985 Farm Bill. In June 2002, a federal district court ruled it unconstitutional. Hearings were scheduled to begin in March appealing that ruling.

OFBF policy calls for support of commodity organizations in their promotion efforts and continued check off funding. AFBF policy "recognizes the right of producers to promote increased research, sales and consumption of the commodities they produce. … We support commodity check-off programs."

Advisory committee members also discussed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rules for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding provisions included in the 2002 Farm Bill.

Also discussed were issues surrounding Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). From those discussions, the committee recommended that Farm Bureau work with USDA to ensure reasonable, cost-effective, realistic and beneficial rules are developed regarding COOL.

COOL was also a concern for members of the swine advisory committee. Producers also were concerned with appropriate state funding for Ohio’s Livestock Environmental Permitting Program, and supported the American Veterinary Medical Association’s policy regarding gestation crates.

Committee members expressed concern that imported grain meets the same quality standards as domestically produced grain.

Some issues discussed included a shortage of bees, the decreasing number of professional pollinators, the need to create more value-added products from honey, and a need to acquire market development grants from USDA.

Advisory council members recommended that food safety rules be standard and consistently enforced; that counties adequately fund bee inspection programs; encourage processors and retailers of honey and honey products to have adequate liability insurance; monitor imports of honey and honey products and pursue anti-dumping cases.

The committee urged that Farm Bureau continue to communicate and develop relations with Ohio State Beekeepers Association, Ohio Fruit Growers Society, Ohio Vegetable & Potato Growers Association, The Ohio State University, OARDC and the Ohio Department of Agriculture in an effort to establish common goals regarding bees and honey.

Policy recommendations included:

• Expanded crop insurance coverage for more Ohio counties
• Monitoring the licensing and enforcement of Ohio public water systems for agricultural, horticultural and related operations and provide assistance to affected members with compliance
• Supporting an increase in the quarterly payroll threshold to keep pace with unemployment insurance costs
• Clarification of an 11^th Circuit Court of Florida ruling on who is responsible for certain seasonal worker costs
• Seeking reform and coordination of laws and regulations that would maintain the integrity of the Social Security Number.

Committee members supported government programs that guide public dollars directly to the farm gate – programs like Women, Infants and Children and senior citizen voucher programs that direct dollars to farm markets.

The committee identified several issues for consideration, including increasing property values, agricultural-use determination for greenhouses for CAUV purposes, storm water assessments and fluctuating energy costs.

The committee recommended implementation of timely trade dispute resolution processes, the regional multi-lateral trade agreements take into consideration the perishable and seasonal nature of greenhouse crops, and continued monitoring of U.S. EPA and USDA pesticide actions.

Winter storms, new pests, land taxation and land-use planning were just some of the issues discussed by Timber Advisory Committee members.

Ice and snow storms in late February and early March caused significant ice damage to forested lands in southeastern Ohio. A total damage figure for private lands has yet to be determined.

One policy the committee recommended was to add several pests to the list causing economic loss in timberlands in Ohio. The committee called for adequate funding to eradicate the pests. Committee members urged Farm Bureau to implement a policy calling for the registration of all-terrain vehicles, proof of insurance, and licensing for identification purposes. Committee members also called for the forfeiture of any ATV used by someone while trespassing.

County auditors continue to challenge eligibility of land with timber qualifying for CAUV. The committee called for farmers and woodland owners to use an operation management plan for their forested areas and for the law to include woodlands as an agricultural use.

The committee also called for landowners to be assessed impact fees for removing lands from permanent agricultural production to help pay for farmland preservation plans.

Committee members reviewed various proposals that should be forthcoming regarding possible quota buy-outs from the federal government. A key issue is how such a program would be funded and administered if it became a reality. They also recommended that Farm Bureau support the efforts of Ohio Partners for Tobacco Free Kids.

Wheat Advisory Committee members suggested developing a forum that would bring together plant breeders and developers, millers and producers to address crop quality traits and characteristics.

Policy recommendations included:

• Continue to increase, expand and develop exports
• Fully review grain grading standard
• study loan rate disparity of soft red winter wheat
• Identifying needs that could be addressed through a wheat-specific check-off program on the state level

• Opposition of federal grain warehouses being exempted from state grain indemnity laws and coverage
• Discussion about the need for improvement of the country’s navigable rivers so grain and other agricultural commodities can have better, cheaper access for more markets.

Other commodity committees are planning to meet throughout the year. Those summaries will appear in Buckeye Farm News as they happen. For information about any OFBF commodity advisory committee, contact White at 614-246-8288 or e-mail dwhite@ofbf.org.