Legislators in Washington D.C. will resume discussion regarding a full, five-year farm bill today.
The U.S. Senate began the farm bill debate Monday after it was introduced to the full floor by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow.
“It’s a jobs bill. It’s a trade bill. It’s a reform bill. It’s a conservation bill, and it’s a kitchen table bill,” Stabenow said.
The Senate will continue discussion regarding the farm bill Tuesday morning.
The live floor proceeding can be seen live at: http://www.senate.gov/floor/index.htm.
The drought is taking a toll on Texas cotton. Brad Rippey, meteorologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reported on USDA Radio that only 29 percent of Texas cotton was planted as of May 19. That’s well behind the state’s five year average, which is 42 percent planted by this time.
Texas cotton growers faced drought conditions, and in many places, a lack of irrigation water to germinate or sustain their crops.
For the nation as a whole, Rippey says there’s been good progress as 39 percent of U.S. cotton is now in the ground. Although that’s a 16 percent improvement over the week before, Rippey reports that’s still well behind the five year average of 52 percent in the ground by this time of year.
Just a few days remain for Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members to submit their photos to the 2013 TFB Photo Contest for a chance at one of four cash prizes.
Shutterbugs are encouraged to capture rural settings and rural lifestyles for the contest.
The first place winner will receive a $100 cash prize. Second place will be awarded $50 and two honorable mentions will win $25 each.
The contest is open to all TFB members and their immediate families.
The deadline for photo submissions is May 31.
Entry guidelines and instructions for submission can be found here.