Christmas Trees & Farm Bill Push

Christmas Trees & Farm Bill Push plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Now that December is here many people will be picking out their Christmas trees. Rick Dungey with the National Christmas Tree Association says this years trees should be fine but the new seedlings might be in trouble after this summer's heat and drought.

DUNGEY: Because they don’t have an established root system they’re more susceptible. They’re not as hardy. That increases my expenses because I have to buy more seedlings the following year.

It’s interesting that while the drought continues in much of the U.S. my relatives in the UK say it was the wettest summer they have had in 100 years.

Time is running out in Congress’ lame duck session - with just 14 days left before they adjourn for the year - but agricultural leaders have promised to do everything they can to pass a new farm bill that could help reduce the national deficit. Without a new farm bill - agricultural law reverts back to the 1949 statute - which would mean a sharp increase in milk prices early in 2013. During a meeting last week with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack - Senate and House Ag Committee leaders united in a push for a comprehensive bill. However - there doesn’t seem to be enough time for the House and Senate to reconcile their differences regarding the size of cuts in crop subsidies and food stamps.

Some ag lobbyists believe lawmakers will vote for an extension of the 2008 Farm Bill - but National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says it would be easier to add a five-year bill into a deficit package. Vilsack says the Obama Administration wants a five-year bill - to allow farmers and agribusinesses to plan their spending for future years.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

When the L.A. City Council decided in mid-November to approve a resolution that the city would now endorse Meatless Mondays I decided I would let this one go as it is a very touchy and controversial subject. Now that I have mulled it over and chewed on it for awhile I’ve decide I’m going to go ahead and put my two cents in. Numerous self-proclaimed advocates of healthy eating were all over L.A’s announcement like flies on cow manure, making statements that sounded like they were geared more towards animal rights and global warming agendas, than from those just in favor of eating more fruits and vegetables. It should be a major concern for all of us when those that govern start pushing their own personal beliefs and views onto the overall majority. Those that choose not to eat meat, whether it’s Monday or any other day of the week, have the right to make that choice. That same choice should be afforded to those that choose to eat meat every day of the week. Until now, we as Americans have always had the right to make our own choices about whether to eat meat, or not eat meat. Granted, it’s not yet against the law in L.A. to eat meat on Monday, but will that be far behind? And what other cities will follow suit?

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.