2018 Farm Bill Can Benefit Pet Diets & Reduce Obesity

Tim Cansler — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:11:15 +0000

We have often said that if you raise a crop or put food in your mouth, the Farm Bill that is debated and reauthorized by Congress every five years or so, impacts you. It also can benefit our furry friends, dog and cats in over 107.3 million U.S. households (APPA, National Pet Owners Survey Statistics:…

Analysis of “No” on the Farm Bill

Tim Cansler — Sat, 19 May 2018 09:38:56 +0000

They say history repeats itself. After the U.S. House defeated 198-213, H.R. 2, The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 on May 18 history did repeat itself – albeit with some different nuances when comparing it to the last reauthorization of the Farm Bill in 2014. Below is a chart listing alphabetically current Republican Members…

US House 2018 Farm Bill Adopted Amendments

Tim Cansler — Tue, 15 May 2018 20:21:42 +0000

The U.S. House failed to adopt H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, 198-213. Speaker Ryan introduced a motion to reconsider the vote on H.R. 2. This vote has been postponed and it is yet to be determined when it will occur. Of the total 112 amendments submitted, 51 amendments were Made In Order. …

Protected: Local Jurisdictions & Water Utilities Can Enhance WIFIA Application Scores

Tim Cansler — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:30:44 +0000

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

USDA’s Plant Pest & Disease and Disaster Management Program by the Numbers

Tim Cansler — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:43:42 +0000

During the 2014 Farm Bill Congress authorized the Plant Pest & Disease and Disaster Management Program and National Clean Plant Network (Section 10007, P.L. 113-79), a highly successful & collaborative biological program to help combat threats posed to U.S. agriculture by numerous invasive plant pests and diseases. Congress mandated that the program funds be targeted…

House Committee on Agriculture Maintains Two-thirds of Programs From 2014 Farm Bill With No Budget Baseline Beyond FY 2018

Tim Cansler — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:05:38 +0000

In our blog post on March 7, 2017, we highlighted that 39 programs in the 2014 Farm Bill do not maintain a budget baseline beyond the current fiscal year, FY 2018. These programs had estimated mandatory spending totaling $2.824 billion over the five-year window of the 2014 Farm Bill from FY 2014-2018. After review of…

Water Utilities Must Act Now and Use Innovative Technologies

Tim Cansler — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:22:32 +0000

There are 2.2 million miles of drinking water pipelines throughout the U.S. @AWWAACE says most of our buried drinking water infrastructure was built 50 or more years ago, in the post-World War II era of rapid demographic change and economic growth. In some older urban areas, many water mains have been in the ground for…

Secretary Perdue Scheduled to Defend Administration FY 2019 Budget

Tim Cansler — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:28:19 +0000

At the end of February, both Republicans and Democrats serving on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture joined together in sending their annual letter to the House Budget Committee containing their views and estimates regarding the upcoming FY 2019 budget. Pursuant to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 each congressional standing committee, like the Committee…

Department of Defense: FDA is Too Slow!

Tim Cansler — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:21:10 +0000

The Department of Defense has expressed concerns about delays at FDA. In a Politico article on December 13, 2017, titled, “How to Reboot the FDA,” the Department of Defense (DOD), with the help of some Members of Congress tried an end-run around the the FDA and sought authority to approve its own medical products. The…

New Data on U.S. Water Use

Tim Cansler — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 23:08:35 +0000

The Department of Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (@USGS) National Water Use Science Project (NWUSP) recently released preliminary water-use estimates for 2015. @USGS has provided estimates of water use in the U.S. every 5 years since 1950. 87% of U.S. Population Served Potable Drinking Water by Public-supply Water Systems From 2010 to 2015 the U.S. population…

US House Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway Signals Farm Bill Action in First Quarter of 2018

Tim Cansler — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:06:29 +0000

After talks with members of leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture is signaling that congressional action on a new Farm Bill will happen in the first quarter of 2018. It is likely the House and Senate will remain busy with tax reform…

History and Pitfalls to Tax Reforms

Tim Cansler — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 15:01:46 +0000

On November 16 the U.S. House of Representatives adopted HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 227-205, Thirteen Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the measure. Republicans opposing the measure included conservative members concerned with increasing the U.S. debt and those in congressional districts that would be significantly impacted by the inability to deduct state…

FDA Animal Drugs/Feeds Programs User Fee Reauthorization

Tim Cansler — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 18:23:55 +0000

In 1968 amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act established the Animal Drugs and Feeds Program in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new law extended authorities to FDA to regulate animal drugs, devices, and feed. Animal Drugs and Feed Regulated Under 21 Different Laws Today, the animal drug and feed industries are regulated under…

Innovative Alternatives for Drinking Water Mains

Tim Cansler — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 18:37:34 +0000

Since 1950, the U.S. Geological Service, @USGS has worked in cooperation with local, state, and federal environmental agencies to collect water-use information and issue a report every 5 years. The last report issued was 2010 and work began on the 2015 report last year. U.S. Uses 355 Billion Gallons Per Day! According to USGS about…

UPDATE: Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Remedy Fire Borrowing

Tim Cansler — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 01:30:53 +0000

As an update to our earlier article (below) on October 4, the Office of Management and Budget sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence (in his role as President of the U.S. Senate) requesting a total $29.3 billion in supplemental emergency appropriations to help with recovery efforts from the recent devastating hurricanes and to improve…

EPA and Army Corp of Engineers Schedule Public Meetings on WOTUS

Tim Cansler — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 12:23:22 +0000

On Monday August 28, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) will announce they are conducting ten teleconferences/webinars to hear from stakeholders their recommendations to revise the definition of ‘‘Waters of the United States’’ under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Nine of the teleconferences/webinars will be…

Cansler Keynotes Annual Conference for Tennessee Farm Bureau Presidents

Tim Cansler — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:05:03 +0000

“Tim Cansler’s behind the scenes Washington knowledge on agricultural and farm issues makes him an excellent choice for hearing the “rest of the story” about current Washington happenings. His agricultural and Farm Bureau background provide a solid foundation and understanding of the issues important to farmers.” Jeff Aiken President Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Cansler Consulting,…

Federal Grant Indirect Costs Set Off Public Debate

Tim Cansler — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 17:21:55 +0000

Most partnerships between grant recipients and the federal government are productive and, oftentimes render world-class innovations in multiple disciplinary fields such as health care, food & agriculture and national security. But this comes at a cost to American taxpayers. The recent release of the Trump Administration FY 2018 budget proposal calls for a $6 billion…

Alternatives For Pipe Bursting

Tim Cansler — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 20:47:39 +0000

In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, more than 600,000 miles of asbestos cement (AC) – also called transite – was installed to transport water in potable water mains, storm drains and sanitary sewers in the U.S. Asbestos was used because of its light weight, corrosion resistance, rigidity and ease of handling. AC pipe accounts for…

Monsanto’s VC Investments Forecasting Future of Agriculture Industry Connections to Personalized Medicine

Tim Cansler — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:27:36 +0000

Monsanto MON (NYSE) describes itself as “a sustainable agriculture company..deliver(ing) agricultural products that support farmers all around the world.” Their focus is “on empowering farmers—large and small—to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s natural resources such as water and energy.” So how is this forward-thinking agriculture company investing in the future…

President Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Impacting Trade

Tim Cansler — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 14:46:32 +0000

On March 31, President Trump signed two Executive Orders (EO) aimed at fulfilling his campaign promises for more favorable global trade for the U.S. The Presidential EO regarding the Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits establishes a 90-day review of factors that contribute to U.S. trade deficits. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s , Economic Indicator…

Amidst Proposed Drastic Budget Cuts EPA Administrator Pruitt Supports U.S. Water Infrastructure

Tim Cansler — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 22:55:29 +0000

In mid-March the Trump Administration released its so called “skinny budget” a 175-page blueprint of the U.S. budget that specifies the main priorities of the Trump administration. The budget proposal cuts the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget by 31 percent from its current level, from $8.1 billion to $5.7 billion. The Presidents budget proposes to cut 3,200…

All Signs Point to Water Infrastructure as part of $1 Trillion U.S. Infrastructure Investment

Tim Cansler — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 22:24:45 +0000

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held its first hearing of the 115th Congress in early March to explore the role of federal agencies in building water infrastructure that is ready for the challenges of the 21st century. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), Chairman of the Subcommittee opened…

Latta Introduces Drinking Water Affordability Act

Tim Cansler — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:23:06 +0000

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) has reintroduced legislation, the Latta Drinking Water Affordability Act, to help public water systems improve infrastructure and ensure safer drinking water. The legislation provides increased flexibility to state and local governments to meet their specific needs, develops cost-efficient ways to protect drinking water, and ensures funds are utilized efficiently and effectively. The Drinking Water…

2018 Farm Bill Update: Stakes Are High!

Tim Cansler — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 22:55:36 +0000

The US House Committee on Agriculture continues its series of hearings for lawmakers to gather information that will help them develop the nations next farm bill. On March 22, dairy producers and processors testified before the House Agriculture Committee marking their 11th farm bill hearing. Previous hearings have included testimony from a total of nearly…

39 Farm Bill Programs Without Budget Baseline

Tim Cansler — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 22:01:08 +0000

Thirty-nine programs in the current (2014) Farm Bill with spending estimated to total $2.824 billion do not have a budget baseline after FY 2018. The reasons vary but its because the programs spend less than $50 million in last authorized year (2018) of the current Farm Bill. According to the Congressional Research Service, “..some programs…

Drinking Water Systems Must be Part of Massive Investment in U.S. Infrastructure

Tim Cansler — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:38:13 +0000

During a campaign stop in 2016 in Flint, Michigan, whose water crisis continues now in its 32nd month, President Trump commented, “It used to be cars were were made in Flint and you could not drink the water in Mexico. Now, the cars are made in Mexico and you cannot drink the water in Flint?…

House and Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committees Prepare For Trump Administration Push on Nation’s Failing Infrastructure

Tim Cansler — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 02:43:27 +0000

On February 1, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met and listened to witnesses about the challenges facing the U.S. transportation and infrastructure. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers the U.S. transportation system, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, schools and energy grid need improvements estimated at $3.6 trillion. Witnesses including the…

2018 Farm Bill: Preview and Analysis

Tim Cansler — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:40:36 +0000

Since the 1930’s and the Great Depression about every 5-years the U.S. Congress adopts a Farm Bill. The Farm Bill contains production agriculture & food policies under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farm Bill titles include Commodity Programs, Conservation, Trade, Nutrition, Credit, Rural Development, Research & Extension, Forestry, Energy, Horticulture and Crop…

2017 Bluegrass Inaugural Ball

Tim Cansler — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 19:44:04 +0000

Many thanks to my fellow Kentuckians and members of the Kentucky Society of Washington for allowing us to celebrate with you the peaceful transition of power and the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States at the 2017 Bluegrass Ball. Many of our Commonwealth’s dignitaries were on-hand for the celebration including Majority Leader…

Food Labeling and Whom it Impacts Most

Tim Cansler — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:18:06 +0000

In response to agency regulations and laws enacted last year food & beverage companies are preparing to spend billions of dollars to change their food labels for nutrition and the presence of bioengineered material. Previous food labeling policy discussions centered on country-of-origin labeling, organic labeling and menu labeling. More recently, policy discussions have begun on how…

When Government Gets It Right: USDA-APHIS’ Multi-faceted Role Critical to U.S. Security & Agriculture’s Global Markets

Tim Cansler — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 22:53:23 +0000

Since it’s inception in 1972, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been fulfilling a multi-faceted, critical role in facilitating trade of U.S. agricultural products around the world. APHIS’ role intersects biological sciences and the economy by working alongside stakeholders promoting the health of animal and plant resources and facilitating…

Passing Along Sage Insight to Incoming Secretary of Agriculture

Tim Cansler — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 14:46:49 +0000

Congratulations to former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue on his nomination to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in the Trump administration. Multiple governors from farm states have successfully served as Secretary of Agriculture and there is no doubt Governor Perdue will also be successful. It’s Their Job To Help Him Get Things Done! Not that I…

US Senate Agriculture Committee Announces First Hearing on 2018 Farm Bill

Tim Cansler — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 01:03:47 +0000

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has announced the first in a series of field hearings on the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. The hearing, dubbed “Hearing from the Heartland: Perspectives on the 2018 Farm Bill from Kansas,” will take place Thursday, February 3, 2017 at the McCain Auditorium, on the campus of Kansas State University…

Mulvaney Confirmation Hearing Displays Thought Processes on Federal Programs/Regulations Cost/Benefit

Tim Cansler — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:37:09 +0000

The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs held a hearing January 24 on the confirmation of Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) to become the Director for the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB is the largest office under the Executive Office of the President. OMB officials meet with multiple federal agency…

Collection of Accurate & Voluntary Data = Federal Program Integrity

Tim Cansler — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 14:30:03 +0000

On January 19, farmdoc Project- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign posted a USDA Study by Robert Johansson, USDA Chief Economist, Anne Effland, USDA Economic Research Service and Keith Coble, Mississippi State University, entitled “Falling Response Rates to USDA Crop Surveys: Why It Matters.” As background and explained in the report, “USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)…

EPA Ready to Finance $2 Billion in Water Infrastructure Projects

Tim Cansler — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 16:23:15 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted its Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. The purpose of the NOFA is to notify eligible applicants who have water infrastructure projects that require financing of available funding for prospective borrowers. EPA estimates the funding available (about $17 million)…

First 100 Days of New President & Congress

Tim Cansler — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 21:12:41 +0000

Republican leaders are teeing up a FY 2017 budget resolution that will be taken up in the first few weeks of the 115th Congress when members return to Washington, DC next week on January 3. As has been promised, the budget resolution will contain reconciliation instructions leading to the repeal of many, but not all,…

More Proof of U.S. Safe Food Supply

Tim Cansler — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:14:24 +0000

California Fruits & Vegetables According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture producers in California raise over 400 commodities, supplying over one-third of the U.S.’ vegetables and two-thirds of the fruits and nuts. These commodities are among the top ten valued crops in California and include (2015): Almonds — $5.33 billion Grapes — $4.95 billion Lettuce…

Farm Bill Focus

Tim Cansler — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 19:24:29 +0000

The 2018 Farm Bill will focus on a few major issues. 75% of the Farm Bill revolves around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp program). The general consensus is that most federal lawmakers and stakeholders want to keep a nutrition title included in the Farm Bill. At one time,…

Agriculture Opposition Firing Up

Tim Cansler — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 16:05:31 +0000

The two main organizations that oppose agriculture’s interests in the upcoming Farm Bill are the Environmental Working Group and the Heritage Foundation. Scott Faber with EWG and Daren Bakst with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that promotes free enterprise, spoke at a Farm Foundation forum recently in Washington. Both groups are vocal opponents…

Minority Leader Releases Senate Democrat Committee Membership

Tim Cansler — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 03:35:13 +0000

Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), incoming Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate today released Senate Democratic committee memberships for the 115th Congress. All committee members must be ratified by the full Democratic Caucus when the 115th Congress convenes early in January. The Senate Democratic committee memberships for the 115th Congress are as follows: (italics indicates freshman…

Time For a Farm Bill

Tim Cansler — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 19:25:12 +0000

Talks regarding the 2018 Farm Bill are heating up. Major players in the agriculture industry agree that now is the time to develop your strategy ensuring that your viewpoints are heard. The National Corn Growers Association Sam Willett with the National Corn Growers Association says it is not too soon to discuss the next Farm…

WRDA Signed Into Law

Tim Cansler — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 18:36:06 +0000

WRDA Signed Into Law, Now on Two-Year Reauthorization Cycle Recently, President Obama signed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizing EPA, (Environmental Protection Agency) to provide assistance for a wide variety of projects including $170 million in aid to Flint, Michigan to help repair its drinking water system. In a bill-signing ceremony at the White…

Highlights of WIFIA

Tim Cansler — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 14:35:36 +0000

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) projects will be evaluated individually by the Administrator of EPA based on criteria in the rule and a previously issued Notice of Funds Available (NOFA). Once a project is selected for a loan individual credit agreements will be developed in negotiations between Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the…

EPA Begins New Water Financing Program

Tim Cansler — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 14:10:01 +0000

On Monday, December 19, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an interim final rule on credit assistance for water infrastructure projects that will become immediately effective. The rule allows EPA to begin implementing the new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. National Need = $660 Billion In the rule, the EPA estimates the…

With 75 Hours to Spare, CR Filed Containing Flint Aid

Tim Cansler — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:50:52 +0000

Late Tuesday evening, with about 75 hours to spare before the deadline on federal government spending runs out at midnight on Friday, December 9, congressional negotiators released the 70-page text of another continuing resolution (CR) that will fund federal government agencies at current years level through April 28, 2017. The CR meets the total $1.07…

21st Century Global Trade Agreements

Tim Cansler — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 03:45:03 +0000

Earlier this year U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, “It seems like the politics of trade have become rather toxic” referring to the anti-trade mood in the U.S. Strong protectionism views went on to become major themes in the presidential campaigns of the two major political parties. This…

Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on Upcoming Farm Bill

Tim Cansler — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 21:17:52 +0000

The debate that preceded the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill was the most contentious in recent history. In a video article on From The Ground Up on KBTX, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture had this to say … “The last time we did a farm bill in 2014 our production agriculture industry…

Farmer-Friendly Farm Bill

Tim Cansler — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 20:13:51 +0000

The Farm Foundation recently hosted a forum on the goals of the next Farm Bill likely to be written in the 115th Congress. Participants heard from varying interests in the Farm Bill including representatives from the Environmental Working Group and the fiscally conservative Heritage Foundation. Also on the panel was Chuck Conner, President, National Council Farmers…