Volume XCVII, NO. 3
Huron, SD
Mar. 2014
South Dakota
Union Farmer A PUBLICATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
2014 Jr. REAL Page 12
Getting to know Jim Wahle Page 7
Farm Bill Signed by the President, Livestock Programs on the Fast Track Towards Implementation On Feb. 7, 2014 President Obama put his signature on the Agricultural Act of 2014, a comprehensive, bipartisan, five-year farm bill that provides a farm safety net in times of need, aids the hungry, protects the environment, creates jobs, keeps Country-ofOrigin Labeling (COOL) intact and helps bolster rural economies. After years of congressional delay, South Dakota Farmers Union is pleased that the process is over and there will be certainty for family farmers, ranchers, rural communities and hungry Americans. “SDFU was very pleased with the release of the farm bill conference report and supported its final passage,” says SDFU President, Doug Sombke. “The farm bill process has been long and drawn out, but a compromise was finally reached.” A special thank you to all of you who took the time to make phone calls and send e-mails encouraging passage of the farm bill. Family farmers and ranchers have always been willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that is needed to feed, fuel and clothe our nation and world. See FARM BILL Page 8
Young Producers Weekend Page 10 Trade Agreements Must Address Currency Manipulation On Feb. 22, 2014 National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson voiced support of recent remarks on currency manipulation by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin, D-Mich. “It is encouraging to see two seasoned and respected congressional leaders reinforce NFU’s long-held trade policy: every future trade agreement must address issues such as the trade-distorting effect of currency manipulation,” said Johnson. According to an Economic Policy Institute study, two TPP members, Malaysia and Singapore, are among the world’s major currency manipulators and a third, Japan, has announced its intent to intervene in the exchange market to lower the value of the yen. “Currency manipulation distorts the value of imported and exported goods and increases the likelihood that our existing trade deficit will only continue to rise,” said Johnson. “U.S. negotiators must affirm a goal of decreasing the enormous U.S. trade deficit, which harms our economy and destroys U.S. jobs. I urge our congressional allies to continue their stance against currency manipulation and reject any attempt to pass misguided agreements that reinforce the inequality of our trade playing field.” Sen. Brown and Rep. Levin stated during a Feb. 26 telephone press conference that Congress would not grant the president trade promotion authority or approve a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement unless it includes disciplines on currency manipulation, an issue still outstanding in the negotiations. ■