Swannack reports on trip to capital

Lamont

Art Swannack of Lamont departed May 5 for Washington D.C. to attend the American Lamb Barbecue hosted by the American Sheep Industry association and to visit with legislators from Washington State. The barbecue was at the Old Dominion Boat Club in Old Town with 250 people present including some staff from the Senate Ag Committee and Honored guests, including Sen. Barrasso (Wyo.); Rep. Harry Teague (N.M.); Edward Avalos, under secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Services as well as officials from USDA APHIS, Wildlife Services and the BLM.

Thursday Art visited the offices of Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, as well as the offices of representatives.

His goal was to bring to their attention important issues needing support, including the renewal of Mandatory Price Reporting for Livestock and funding for Bighorn Sheep disease research at USDA ARS in Pullman. He also mentioned the need to deal with the issue of Estate Tax reform, as the law will revert to a $1m exemption and 50+percent top rate next year. He also mentioned the need for adequate funding of USDA wildlife services in our state.

On Friday, 50 members of ASI from 26 states met at the USDA Offices to hear presentations and bring forth concerns.

Presenting were Dr.

John Clifford-Deputy administrator for Veterinary services at USDA, Dr.

Edward Avalos-Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulator programs, Brandon Willis-Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs in the Farm Service Agency, Bill Clay- Deputy Administrator for Wildlife Services, Dr Steve Kappes-Deputy administrator for Animal Production and Protection, Darci Vetter-Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Ag Services and Anne Zimmerman, Director-watershed, fish, wildlife, air & rare plants division of the Forest Service.

Administrator Brandon Willis talked about the next farm bill and how it will be affected by the budget deficit.

There is a definite trend to more of a crop insurance program and phasing out of direct payments.

Art asked Administrator Willis to convey to Secretary Vilsack the need for ACRE and SURE to be simplified and made easy for farmers and landlords to understand if they are truly to be the future of farm support programs.

At noon, the group traveled to the New Zealand embassy for lunch and a brief presentation on our joint Australia, New Zealand and U.S. program whose goal is to spread the news about the great nutritional value of lamb.

Swannack flew back Friday night to Spokane so he could see the kids’ animals sell at the Junior Livestock show.