Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations available to Ohio Farm Bureau members
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
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Earlier this week, Ohio Farm Bureau’s state and county leaders were given an opportunity to visit exclusively with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Topics covered included trade, dairy pricing, labor and water quality.
OFBF president Frank Burkett expressed his appreciation for programs like both Market Facilitation Programs and both Coronavirus Food Assistance Programs that provided to farmers assistance through trade wars and the COVID-19 crisis, but also shared his concern for how sustainable these programs are and how farmers are looking for a more steady income from selling to the markets.
“I don’t know of a good, honest farmer that wouldn’t rather have a good crop at a fair price over a government check, but when you are not having a profitable year, those checks do come in pretty handy,” Perdue said. “The reality is that those programs are not sustainable and even though farm income has gone up, as a farmer you don’t feel like it because you are not earning it across the scales, but through the mailbox.”
Perdue said that the new trade deals with Japan, China, Mexico and Canada appear to be paying off, as commodity prices are higher than they have been in some time.
Mike Videkovich, who represents District 15 on OFBF’s Board of Trustees and farms in Fairfield County, told the secretary that he was alarmed by the price differential between what the meat packers were receiving as compared to what was being seen at the farmer level. He also asked how USDA can create more competition and more domestic and regional processors across the state and the country.
Perdue said the price disparity in the beef industry isn’t just alarming, it is obscene and the investigation into that issue continues. As for adding capacity at a more local level, Perdue said that he is suggesting to those in the cattle industry to form cooperatives much like those seen in the pork and poultry sectors in order to take the benefit from integrating those inordinate retail prices when they go up.
“We are also looking at any other flexibilities from a regulatory standpoint that may facilitate the ability for local processors to participate,” Perdue said. “The consumer really likes that locally grown product so we want to help the consumer to have the availability there.”
On the regulatory front, Perdue talked about the unusual, but necessary relationship between his department and the U.S. EPA. He said both entities have worked together nicely, realizing the decisions they make, individually and collectively, have a major impact on agriculture and how the farmer does their job and applauded the new Clean Water Rule from EPA, that replaced the Waters of The U.S. rule earlier this year.
The guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
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ODA will enroll 500,000 acres into the program for a two-week sign-up period, beginning April 22, 2024, through May 6, 2024. Contact local SWCD offices to apply.
Read MoreKatie Share of Columbus has been named ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreMary Klopfenstein of Delphos has been named Young Ag Professional and Ag Literacy Program Specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreThe plan has been updated to give sole proprietors access to more rate stability and a smart solution that offers potential savings on health care.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.
Read MoreAdele Flynn of Wellington has been elected treasurer of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and now holds the third highest elected office in Ohio’s largest and most influential farm organization.
Read MoreProducers are urged to work with their veterinarian to practice enhanced biosecurity measures and review and limit cattle movements within production systems.
Read MoreThe changing seasons bring with them the need to thoroughly inspect pole barns for any damages that may have occurred during the winter months.
Read MoreHundreds of Ohio businesses and sole proprietors are raving about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Health Benefits plan with lower, predictable costs and easy enrollment and administration options.
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