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SWCA/Texas Ag Forum establish Southwest Agricultural Issues Summit

The mission of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness is to represent and promote agriculture and business interests and increase economic opportunity in the Southwest region of the U.S. through the pursuit of stable agriculture policy and through information sharing and the building of relationships and alliances within the area. It is in this vein that the Board of the Southwest Council along with the Texas Ag Forum has established the Southwest Agricultural Issues Summit to bring together producers and agribusiness leaders for collaboration and the further development of ties across sectors throughout the industry.

When:

September 9^th – 11^th, 2012

Where:

Barton Creek Resort and Spa near Austin, TX.

What:

This will be a conference that will provide attendees the opportunity to participate in breakout groups and workshops, socialize with other producers and business leaders from across the region, and hear from some great speakers about the outlook for agriculture. We are pleased to announce that we have confirmed Dr. Lowell Catlett, dynamic futurist and economist, and agricultural reporter Jim Wiesemeyer as speakers for this event.

Who:

Attendees will include producer-leaders from all of the major non-profit commodity organizations, as well as leaders from agribusinesses and financial institutions from all over the Southwest Region.

How to attend:

Visit www.AgIssuesSummit.com to get more information on how to register to attend the event. As more speakers are confirmed and the agenda further developed this site will be continually updated so keep checking back for more information as it is made available.

SWCA Welcomes New Members to the Board of Directors

The Southwest Council of Agribusiness is pleased to welcome to the Board of Directors two new Non-Profit Organizations, the Colorado Corn Growers Association and the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association. These two organizations each exert a considerable amount of influence in their respective geographic areas and commodities. By joining the Board of the SWCA they will allow the organization to expand it’s scope and influence on the policy process in Washington D.C. (To view the current representatives on the SWCA Board click here.)

If you are interested in learning more about the Colorado Corn Growers visit their website at www.coloradocorn.com and stopover at www.owga.org to learn more about the Oklahoma Wheat Growers.

The Southwest Council is expanding as an organization and if you are interested in membership or know of businesses in you area that would be well served by becoming a member, please go to www.southwest-council.com to learn more about the SWCA and how you can join and help support the agricultural industry in your area.

SWCA Outlines Priorities in Letter to Congress

Dear SWCA Member,

There is currently a lot of planning, working and wishful thinking going on in DC right now - all in the context of the Super Committee process and the prospect that certain farm bill provisions will be included on this vehicle.

In this vein, leadership from the Senate and House Ag Committees are currently working to draft policies that will best serve agriculture under the expected budget constraints dictated by the Super Committee.

As you know, there are numerous plans and policy proposals that have been submitted from farm groups all over the nation. These all have strengths, weaknesses and important differences that have big potential impacts on specific commodities and regions.

The SWCA Board gathered last Friday for a day-long retreat to discuss these key differences, and the most important issues for the region. Out of this, we drafted this letter (you can read it here) which has been sent to Capitol Hill laying out the key priorities and principles for the SWCA. It is general in nature — such that any number of the plans being discussed could fit within the principles — but relevant in that it is timely, and if these priorities are followed, we feel confident that whatever is developed will work well for producers and the businesses that support them.

As always if you have any questions or concerns related to policy, or advice on how we can serve you better, never hesitate to give us a call.

Tom Sell

Keynote Speaker -- Details for 4th Annual Meeting

We are very pleased to announce Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, the Honorable Frank Lucas of Oklahoma will be the keynote speaker at this year's 4th Annual Meeting of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness.

The Meeting will be held at the Overton Hotel in Lubbock Texas July 21-22, 2011. The Overton is offering special room rates for any SWCA members wishing to stay the evening. To secure your reservation, call the Overton by July 13, 2011 at 806-776-7000.

The Membership Banquet will be Thursday evening with a keynote address from Chairman Lucas, a fifth generation Oklahoman whose family has farmed and ranched in this area for over 100 years.

Friday morning will feature a Farm Bill Roundtable Session featuring with Chairman Lucas, prominent Agricultural Economists, and the leadership of SWCA member organizations coming together to consider and debate the best policy options for the 2012 Farm Bill which is fast approaching.

With all of the great speakers, special guests, and substantive discussions planned regarding policies and issues affecting the business of agriculture, we are certain this will be a great event you will want to attend.

Please mark your calendars and make plans to be in Lubbock on July 21, 22.

We look forward to seeing you!

Frank Lucas; Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee

Coalition Draws Budget Line (6/23)

Letter to President, Leader, Speaker

With talks and negotiations on the debt ceiling heating up, 136 Agricultural stakeholders, including the SWCA sent a letter to President Obama, Senate Leader Reid, and House Speaker Boehner urging caution against additional cuts to agriculture. You can see and read it here along with a good overview story from our friends at FarmPolicyFacts.org.