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The corn, soybean, wheat and equine commodity advisory committees each met recently to discuss key issues in their industries and make recommendations to the OFBF policy development committee for further consideration.

Corn – The committee's recommendations included instituting a system of impact fees to be paid on prime farmland taken out of production and earmarked for farmland preservation. The aging of farm owners and operators was a priority for the committee, which urged support of a program that links retiring farmers with interested young farmers. Members also recommended supporting efforts to gain worldwide acceptance of biotechnology and to educate farmers regarding marketing biotech crops.

Soybeans – Priority issues for the committee included trade, biofuels and crop insurance integrity. Members said risk management, including crop insurance and countercyclical payments, should be a high priority in the 2007 Farm Bill. The group also wanted reforms to the crop insurance program to reduce fraud and abuse. The committee recommended amending OFBF policy to encourage the use of biofuels in all vehicles, not just government vehicles.

Wheat – The committee said Loan Deficiency Payments should be eliminated and replaced with adequate crop revenue insurance and that the federal premium subsidy should be increased. Members emphasized the need to continue to increase financial support for research and marketing efforts to develop new value-added opportunities for wheat.

Equine – The committee discussed the importance of passing Senate Bill 37, which would establish an equine promotion and marketing program. Members talked at length about finding ways to get horse owners to join Farm Bureau. The committee also was concerned about the impression that terms such as whip and spur sends to the public about the way horses are treated.