NASDA News - December 11, 2012

As the agriculture community waits to see whether Congress can enact a new Farm Bill and avoid pending tax increases on agricultural producers, there are new signs this week that the President and Congressional leaders may be inching closer towards a deal on the so-called "Fiscal Cliff."

Last week, negotiations narrowed to just include President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) as principles. That move, coupled with media reports that talks between the two have taken a positive turn, have breathed new life into negotiations that had appeared to be at a stalemate.

Still, significant differences remain to be resolved, leaving unanswered how, when and even if Congress and the President will be able reach an agreement by the end of the year, or if they will punt the issue into next year.

Effective February 8, 2013, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will withhold its determination as to whether meat and poultry products are not adulterated until all test results that bear on the determination have been received. The agency’s final policy notice, published last week, explains how this policy will apply to domestic and imported products and responds to the comments FSIS received following its April 11, 2011 Federal Register announcement that the agency intended to implement this policy change. The FSIS determination mark makes approved product eligible to enter commerce.

If your land is zoned under Farmland Preservation, be sure you or your tax preparer use the appropriate tax forms when claiming income tax credits. Many landowners are still not using the correct forms, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and that means they’re not getting what they’re entitled to receive.

The Department's analysis of recent data collected by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue shows that some Wisconsin landowners are under-claiming their Farmland Preservation tax credits at an average rate of about $3 per acre or almost $1 million total.

Farmers are eligible for Wisconsin income tax credits in exchange for keeping land in agricultural use and complying with state soil and water conservation requirements. Preliminary data from the Department of Revenue indicates that more than 15,000 farmland owners collected over $19 million in farmland preservation tax credits in tax year 2011 on about 2.8 million ...

Delaware’s farmers’ markets sold nearly $2 million in fresh produce and other goods this season, a new record for the rapidly-growing community-run market program, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

“Our farmers’ markets are a great symbol of how communities can shape their local economy and support our farmers and businesses,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “My family enjoys many items from Delaware farms and farmers’ markets, and is happy to join in celebrating this banner year.”

The 29 markets sold $1.96 million worth of goods during the 2012 season, with produce making up 57 percent of the total sales, or $1.1 million. Other sales included value-added products, such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs or honey. For more information, click here.