Agribusiness Update for Friday 6/28/13

This is the Agribusiness Update...I’m Greg Martin...

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said Wednesday that USDA will aggressively proceed to reduce carbon emissions by using the authorities it already has. His comments came one day after President Barack Obama’s speech on climate change. Vilsack noted last year’s drought resulted in 17-billion dollars in crop insurance payments to farmers.

The House Rules Committee has issued an open rule on the Agriculture Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2014. This means an unlimited number of amendments can be proposed. The rule also provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee. But debate on the bill has not been scheduled.

Senate yesterday passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act on the final vote of 68-32. The comprehensive immigration reform bill includes agricultural labor provisions that secure access to a stable, legal workforce. The House of Representatives is expected to take up immigration reform in July.

That’s today’s Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.