2018 Election – Agriculture Committee Impact
While a few races have not been decided, the Democrats have retaken the House majority and the Republicans have strengthened their majority in the Senate based on election results reported to date. This means Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts will retain his chairmanship, while Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) will resume the House Agriculture Committee Chair and Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) will become the ranking member. Committee membership for the next Congress will be decided before the end of the calendar year; the 116th Congress is seated in January.
With the Democrats taking the majority in the House, they will be assigned more members (currently 20) and the Republicans will lose members on the committee (currently 26). Of the current Republican members on the House Agriculture Committee who sought reelection, all but one member, (John Faso, R-NY) was reelected. Of the current Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee all members who sought reelection won.
The following members will not be returning for certain to the House Agriculture Committee next year: Rep. Goodlatte (R-VA) retirement,
Rep. John Faso (R-NY) defeated, Rep. Tim Waltz (D-MN) ran for MN Governor successfully, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) ran for NM Governor successfully, Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN) retirement.
View current House Agriculture members. On the Senate side, of the 11 Republican members on the Senate Agriculture Committee only 2 were on the ballot this election. Senator Hyde Smith (R-MS) will face a runoff election against former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, the Democrat opponent, in early December. Senator Deb Fisher (R-NE) won reelection. Of the 10 Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee, 8 were on the ballot. Senators Stabenow (D-MI), Brown (D-OH), Klobuchar (D-MN), Gillibrand (D-NY), Casey (D-PA) and Smith (D-MN) won reelection. Senators Donnelly (D-IN) and Heitkamp (D-ND) lost reelection.
[Back to Top]
Impact of the Election on Farm Bill Prospects
Congress returns on November 13th to start a lame duck session of Congress, which most likely will run into December. Agricultural interests, including the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, will push our Agriculture leaders to complete the 2018 farm bill during the lame duck session. We do not want to start over in the 116th Congress. Chairman Conaway’s negotiating position is obviously weakened with the Democrats taking control of the House next session and he will likely move to compromise quickly on the nutrition title and close up other outstanding differences between the House and Senate bills. Incoming Chairman Collin Peterson has repeatedly said he prefers to complete the farm bill before next year and prefers much of what is in the Senate bill. Now that the election results are in, prospects for a quick completion should have improved. Look for an announcement on a “deal” before the end of the month.
[Back to Top]
Appraisal Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion
Last week the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) held a widely attended roundtable discussion. Stephen Frerichs attended for ASFMRA. Four speakers made presentations prior to the roundtable discussion. Peter Phelan with the U.S. Treasury discussed Treasury’s findings in its July 2018 report,
A Financial System Creates Economics Opportunities. Treasury’s appraisal findings and recommendations start on page 104 of the report. Sharon Whitaker with the American Bankers Association, Meg Burns with the Housing Policy Council and Pete Fontana, Montana Board of Real Estate Appraisers gave their reactions to the Treasury report. The individual roundtable discussions largely focused on the use of automated valuation tools and appraisal waivers. No firm conclusions were made as a result of the roundtable discussions.
View the agenda and
list of participants.
[Back to Top]
SBA Proposes Rule Change Impacting Poultry Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) published a proposed rule at the end of September that would change its affiliation rule applicable to determining SBA financial assistance. If a small business loan applicant derived more that 85% of its revenue from another business over the previous three fiscal years, SBA would find that small business applicant is economically affiliated to the other business for the purpose of determining the size of the business, possibly making the business not eligible for SBA loans. The concern is that if this is rule change is made, it could make poultry growers and similar contracted agricultural businesses ineligible for SBA guarantees. We are encouraging ASFMRA members who would be impacted by this proposed rule to make comments on the rule. The deadline for making comments is November 27, 2018. You can
read the regulation and you can comment by going to www.regulations.gov and enter 3245-AG74 in the search box. Then look to the lower right of the screen to find the comment now button. The affiliation change is item #7 in the proposed rule.
Read the rule.
[Back to Top]
Corporate Leaders Look Ahead
Agriculture is in a state of change, perhaps greater than at any recent time in history. The key trends driving this industry are reshaping how many farmers look at their businesses; and while it can offer opportunity, change brings challenges, too. For the Syngenta leadership team, pushing ahead in this environment brings new opportunities for the business, and customers.
Read more.
[Back to Top]
Ag Economy Barometer Jumps 22 Points from September to October
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer increased 22 points from September to October, continuing its trend of large month-to-month shifts as producers continue to be buffeted by shifts in major commodity prices and news about trade negotiations with key ag trade partners. The October barometer reading was 136, the same as October 2017.
Learn more.
[Back to Top]
What's Ahead for Markets and Farm Profit Margins?
ISU’s Pro-Ag Seminars offer valuable insight on factors impacting 2019 farm operating decisions. As harvest comes to a close for 2018, crop producers, livestock producers, ag lenders and suppliers are planning ahead for next year. Offering valuable insight on key factors impacting decisions farmers must make in 2019, Iowa State University Extension economists will present helpful information at a series of upcoming meetings. ISU’s annual Pro-Ag Outlook and Management Seminars will be held across the state in November and December.
Learn more. [Back to Top]
House Elections Stamp Expiration Date on GOP 'Welfare Reform in the Farm Bill'
Backed by President Trump, House Republicans pushed for stricter SNAP work requirements in the 2018 farm bill despite strong opposition from House Democrats and senators of both parties. The midterm elections on Tuesday effectively terminated the “welfare reform in the farm bill” proposal, although it has not been excised officially.
Find out more.
[Back to Top]
Lower-Than-Expected Walnut Yields
Production not likely to reach 690,000 tons as projected. Walnut yields this fall came in lighter than expected, causing growers to doubt whether their production will top the 2016 crop of 689,000 tons that was predicted earlier in the season. At Lindauer River Ranch at Red Bluff, Calif., one young orchard had only about half the Chandler walnuts that farm manager Michael Vasey had anticipated. Overall, his entire crop was light, he says. “We thought it was going to be like last year, but as it turned out it was a little bit lighter,” he says. “I’m hearing that from other growers, too.”
Read more.
[Back to Top]
Congratulations to the Appraisal Professional of the Year!
Brian Gatzke, ARA was awarded the 2018 ASFMRA Appraisal Professional of the Year. The Appraisal Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance LLC, is one of the most prestigious awards that ASFMRA bestows. The award recognizes an Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) or Real Property Review Appraiser (RPRA) who has made an impact on the profession through involvement in appraisal education courses, service on professional appraisal boards, community involvement or activities and whose clients, peers and colleagues affirm their
professionalism and excellence within the appraisal profession.
[Back to Top]
2018 Education Foundation Auction Another Success Thanks to You!
WOW! What a fantastic, successful, and fun event we had at the 2018 Education Foundation Auction in Chandler, Arizona. Thanks to all the donors, buyers, and supporters. You are the ones who make this event a success. If you were not able to attend this year, you really missed out on a great time - meeting up with old friends, bidding on Auction items and getting your picture taken.
Make sure to plan to attend the Auction next year in Louisville, Kentucky! We look forward to seeing you there!
Auction Donors...Thanks for your Support!AcreValue by Granular, Inc.Agri-Comm Appraisals & Washington Chapter of ASFMRAAgri-Management ServicesAgWare, Inc.Arizona Chapter of ASFMRAASFMRABayer Crop ScienceAaron Bierschwale, ARACalifornia Chapter of ASFMRADon and Doris CochranDick and Connie EdmundsEdmunds MapleJaleen EdwardsFarmers National CompanyTim & Phyllis FevoldFlorida Chapter of ASFMRADavid & Moira GaNunGeorgia Chapter of ASFMRAHall and Hall, Inc.Hatley Cobb Farmland ManagementIllinois Chapter of ASFMRAIowa Chapter of ASFMRAIowa Chapter - Education FoundationKentucky Chapter of ASFMRALIA Administrators & Insurance ServicesLouisville Convention & Visitor CenterMid-South Chapter of ASFMRAMichigan Chapter of ASFMRAMinnesota Chapter of ASFMRAMissouri Chapter of ASFMRAMontana Chapter of ASFMRAPaul and Beth MooreNew Mexico Chapter of ASFMRANortheast Chapter of ASFMRAOregon Chapter of ASFMRAPeoples CompanyPepper Appraisal ServicesPioneerPaul & Nancy ReischLes & Pat RoosSouth Dakota Chapter of ASFMRABrian StockmanWoody ThomasValley IrrigationValue MidwestJerry & Naomi WarnerWashington Chapter of ASFMRAKirk and Ann WeihWisconsin Chapter of ASFMRAWyoming Chapter of ASFMRAJuliana Young, ARAAuction Buyers...Thanks for your Support!Mark Akers, ARARonald AlfredGeorge Baird, AFMDavid Bartlett, ARAJeffrey Berg, ARAPaul Bierschwale, ARAChristopher BrayPaul Burgener, AFMMaurie CashmanJohn ConnelleyJack DavisBrian Duke, AFMDavid Englund, AFMTyler Erickson, AFMMax Evans, AFM, ARA-RetiredTimothy Fevold, AFMBrian Field, ARACurtis Fix, ARALandon FryeDavid GaNun, ARABrian Gatzke, ARATed Glaub, AFMChris Greenwalt, ARA, RPRAMatt Gunderson, AFMBradley HayesFred Hepler, AFM, AACDeon Herndon, ARAThomas HertzRichard Isaacson, AFM, ARAGeorge Janning, ARA, RPRAJames KendallKent Kraft, AFMMichael Krause, AFMJason Lestina, AFMDarrell Limkeman, AFM, ARATerry Longtin, AFMTyler Mark, Ph.D.D. Matt Marschall, ARAColin McVaugh, ARAAdam Meyer, AFMBeth MoorePaul Moore, ARA, RPRAMichael Morris, ARAJason ParkerMark Peterson, AFM, ARA, AACCorey Prins, AFMPaul Reisch, ARAJim Rickert, AFM, ARABrent RockersThomas Schorr, ARAAndrea SimnorLonnie SmithW. David SnookRebecca Stone, ARAWinnie Stortzum, ARAJerry Warner, AFM-RetiredChad Wigestrand, ARAMark Williams, ARATony Windham, Ph.D.Diane WoodWendell Wood, ARAJuliana Young, ARAWayne Young, ARAEducation Foundation Fundraising ResultsSilent Auction Total: $5,275.00
Live Auction Total: $23,303.00
Tithing Envelopes Total: $1,345.00
Raffles and Isla Mujeres Total: $3,150.00
Additional Donations Total: $544.00
Cash Donations Total: $400.00
Total Raised in 2018: $34,017.00The Education Foundation wishes to extend many heartfelt thanks to the Education Foundation Legacy Funding Committee, countless volunteers, bidders, and donors for your support of the 2018 Education Foundation Auction! Your dedication, energy, and participation made this event a success!
[Back to Top]
Welcome New Members!
Thank you for being a part of ASFMRA! Welcome our new members and thank them for choosing the Society as the organization that they desire to be affiliated with. We are recognizing new members of the Society on a monthly basis. You may recognize your colleagues in the following list and we encourage you to welcome them into ASFMRA!
Mike Aikele with Farmland Reserve in Indianapolis, IN (Ohio Chapter)
Travis Baughman with Hancock Farmland Services in Savoy, IL (Illinois and Wisconsin Chapters)
Kyle Bell with Hertz Farm Management in Mt. Vernon, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Christopher Bray with Goldcrest Farm Trust in Jonesboro, AR (Mid-South Chapter)
Megan Chicoine with Farmland Management Services in Exeter, CA (California Chapter)
Brian Cowart with Farm Credit Services of Western AR in Glenwood, AR (Mid-South Chapter)
Logan Derifield in Denver, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Brian Furrer with Hancock Farmland Services in Turlock, CA (California Chapter)
Hans Gilkey in Delano, CA (California Chapter)
Gage Glotzbach in Hoopeston, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Calvin Hettwer with Compeer Financial in Baldwin, WI (Wisconsin Chapter)
Austin Hornstein with Hertz Farm Management in Geneseo, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Braden Ifft in Piper City, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Daniel Kjolsing with Compeer Financial in Mankato, MN (Minnesota Chapter)
Isaac Klemish with Hertz Appraisal Service in Nevada, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Dallas Mahoney with Northwest Farm Management Company in Marshall, MN (Minnesota Chapter)
Logan Martinez with Ag Land Consulting, Inc. in Turlock, CA (California Chapter)
Brandon Meyer with Farmers National Company in Davey, NE (Nebraska Chapter)
Marvin Mutchler with Aegon USA-AXA Equitable in Sturgis, SD (South Dakota Chapter)
Jeff Newton with Coastal Vineyard Care Associates in Buellton, CA (California Chapter)
Elliott Sterling in Caruthers, CA (California Chapter)
[Back to Top]
Thanks for the Membership Referral!
You know first-hand what a great organization ASFMRA is and what it means to you both professionally and personally. Pass that benefit on to others that you know who would benefit from membership with The Most Trusted rural property professional organization – ASFMRA!
Talk to those you know who would benefit from ASFMRA’s educational offerings, networking, and meetings. Let them know your
experience of being involved in this great association and some of the business contacts you have made along with lasting friendships. Your peers listed below have done just that!
They spoke to individuals about ASFMRA and those individuals have now become members of ASFMRA!
Dennis Badtke, ARAMaria BoerngenJason DurJavaBlake FlorellFred Hepler, AFM, AACJerald Hulm, ARAKevin KernsChad Kies, AFMMichael Lauher, AFMMichael Norgaard, AFMJames Rebhuhn, AFMBrent Reed, AACBrandon Spain, AFMCraig WelterJim Wiedeman Thank you to all who have referred someone and in some cases, more than one, to join ASFMRA.
[Back to Top]