Geoffrey S. Becker, Analyst, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division,CRS 83-628 ENR,"December 2, 1983.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Net outlays for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's commodity price support programs will reach a record $26 billion or more in fiscal 1986. This report briefly discusses how these programs are funded, who benefits from them, and their cost to taxpayers.,CRS 86-1012 ENR,"September 1986.","Revised November 1986.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Representatives of a number of commodity groups have asked Congress in recent years for statutory authority to establish national generic promotion programs for their products. A key feature is a mandatory assessment paid by all producers to support such activities. Federal legislation has authorized nine such national promotion programs, and lawmakers now are considering whether to create new initiatives for beef, pork, and watermelons. nCritics believe that such programs represent unwarranted Government interference, pit one commodity group against another for limited consumer dollars, and lack adequate evidence of success. Proponents, on the other hand, contend that the programs do work, cost the Federal Government virtually nothing, and benefit producers and consumers alike. This report discusses programs that have already been enacted by Congress and examines their records to date.,Introduction -- Background -- Congressional Involvement -- Notes on Individual Boards. Cotton ; Potatoes ; Eggs ; Beef ; Wheat ; Floraboard ; Dairy ; Honey -- Proposed Legislation. Beef ; Pork ; Watermelons -- How Effective are the Programs?. Study Trends and Research Needs ; Refund Rates ; Consumption and Exports ; Other Policy Concerns -- Are Promotion Programs Worth Promoting?. AMS Guidelines.,Geoffrey S. Becker, Analyst, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division.,CRS 85-995 ENR,"March 22, 1984.","Revised September 30, 1985.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Lawmakers are now considering legislation to replace the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-98), which expires in 1985. This comprehensive law governs the farm price and income support programs for milk, wheat, feed grains, and other major commodities and also authorizes several important domestic and foreign food assistance programs, agricultural research and conservation, and other activities important to the food and farm sector. This report compares omnibus proposals introduced in the 99th Congress.,Abstract -- Introduction -- Wheat, Feed Grains, Cotton and Rice -- Soybeans -- Milk -- Peanuts -- Sweeteners -- Tobacco - Wool and Mohair -- Grain Reserves -- Export Programs -- Foreign Food Aid -- Domestic Food Assistance -- Research and Extension -- Conservation -- Agricultural Credit -- Miscellaneous Provisions.,CRS 85-861 ENR,"July 8, 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, also known as Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, subjects agriculture to the same budget reductions as other non-exempt programs ordered. However, due to the unique nature of the agriculture budget, special provisions were included on how to achieve those cuts in farm spending. This report discusses this new law with regard to agriculture programs. An updated version of this report will be issued when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announces how it will implement the across-the-board reductions.,Geoffrey S. Becker, Analyst, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division,CRS 86-547 ENR,"February 5, 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

Several U.S. companies plan to introduce a new product to the dairy industry called bovine growth hormone (bGH), or bovine somatotropin (BST). When injected into dairy cows in test herds, this product has stimulated large increases in milk output without corresponding increases in production costs. However, BST, which must gain Food and Drug Administration approval before it can be offered commercially, has raised a number of controversial questions among lawmakers, who are concerned about its impact on an already burdensome U.S. milk supply, on the structure and conduct of dairy farming, and on consumer safety, among other things.,Abstract -- Introduction. Overview ; What is Bovine Somatotropin -- Implications for Agriculture. The U.S. Dairy Surplus ; Future Milk Supply ; BST: How Much Milk and How Soon? ; Implications for Federal Price Support Policy ; Practical Application and Cost ; Will BST Hurt Small Farmers? ; The U.S. Dairy Industry at a Crossroads -- Regulation of Bovine Somatotropin. Introduction ; Regulatory Status of BST ; Environmental Issues ; FDA's Consideration of Environmental Issues ; Efficacy and Animal Health Issues -- Some Consideration for Technology Development -- Questions for Further Study,Geoffrey S. Becker, Specialist, Enevironment and Natural Resources Policy Division, and Sarah Taylor, Analyst, Science Policy Research Division,CRS 86-1020 ENR/SPR,"November 20, 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The charts and graphs in this report provide a brief look at U.S. farm operations, their importance to the U.S. economy, recent financial problems on the farm, and Federal agriculture program spending. They were compiled from selected publications of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the General Accounting Office.,Geoffrey S. Becker, Analyst, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division.,CRS 86-610 ENR,"January 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The new omnibus farm law, the Food Security act of 1985, extends the dairy price support program for five years, authorizes reductions in the support rate after 1986, and establishes a new, voluntary program paying farmers to quit dairying. This report summarizes these and other dairy provisions in the legislation.,Geoffrey S. Becker, Analyst, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division.,CRS 86-516 ENR,"February 3, 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The Food Security Act of 1985 (PL 99-198) required the Secretary of Agriculture to poll U.S. wheat producers on whether they favor mandatory limits on their production in exchange for higher market prices. The nonbinding poll, being conducted in early July, has resurrected one of the most controversial and divisive issues of the 1985 farm policy debate. This report describes the poll and examines arguments for and against mandatory supply controls.,CRS 86-751 ENR,"July 1, 1986.",SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3

Agricultural market development can be any activity aimed at influencing the demand for food and fiber. This report is a compilation of Federal programs that might directly or indirectly assist farmers in selling their products domestically.