Farm Bureau President cites legislative victories this year

The Iowa Farm Bureau held its mid-year meeting this week, and president Ed Wiederstein told delegates the organization saw victories for legislation it supported including phasing out the estate tax and enhancing markets for bio-diesel fuel. The so-called “Freedom-to-Farm” bill has become controversial but Wiederstein says plenty of farmers still like it.He says Farm Bureau members are working on ways they could suggest amending the federal farm bill to make it better. Wiederstein says while high fuel prices are hitting everyone, it’s just part of the overall higher cost of operating these days for farmers.Farm Bureau president Ed Wiederstein says the recent decision that California must stick with clean-air rules is generally being greeted as good news by Iowa farmers.He says it will increase the demand for ethanol and could convince producers to become involved. Wiederstein told delegates that he’ll seek a fourth two-year term as president, at the annual meeting in November.