Summary

• While the 2018 Farm Bill’s extension expired Sept. 30, 2024, funding for most Farm Bill programs will continue until the end of the year. Look for updates in future IFAI Policy Briefs and keep track of Indian Country’s Farm Bill priorities through IFAI’s Farm Bill Tracker. 

• There are multiple upcoming nominations for agriculture and nutrition-related advisory committees. 

• Tribal nominations are encouraged for the USDA Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council . The deadline for nominations is this week – Oct. 15, 2024.  

• An advance notice on proposed rulemaking about price discovery and competition in markets for fed cattle is published in the Federal Register this week along with nominations for the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council.  

• IFAI is hiring! Check out the open positions on the IFAI job board at bit.ly/IFAIJOBS. 

Calendar

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings 

There are no new consultations at this time. 

Congressional updates    

Looking Back: 

There were no Congressional hearings to report last week. 

Looking ahead:  

Congress is not in session, and there are no hearings scheduled at the time of publication.

Nomination opportunities: 

• USDA Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council– Due Oct. 15 

• Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council – Due Nov. 12 

• American Lamb Board– Due Nov. 30 

• Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel- open nominations 

• Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee– open nominations 

• NIFA Grantmaking Peer Review

If you’re interested in seeking more information on nominations, reach out to agpolicy@uark.edu.

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions

Title: Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council; Request for Nominations 

• The Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture seek to fill one vacancy to the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council.  

• The Council makes recommendations about programs and policies with objectives that include (1) conservation and restoration of wetlands, grasslands, and forests; (2) encouraging coordination among public entities that include Federal, State, and Tribal, and territorial governments.  

• Nominations must be submitted by Nov. 12, 2024 

Posted: Week of Oct. 14, 2024

Title: Price Discovery and Competition in Markets for Fed Cattle 

• USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). 

• AMS seeks stakeholder comments on options about base prices in formula pricing agreements to encourage fare and competitive trading environments in fed cattle markets.  

• For more than 20 years, producers have complained about issues such as unfair prices they are paid for fed cattle, difficulty negotiating with packers, and predatory pricing strategies that favored only some players.  

• Comments must be submitted by Dec. 10, 2024 

Posted: Week of Oct. 14, 2024.