The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the controversial Arizona immigration law. In a vote of five to three – the court said federal immigration law does not bar Arizona from suspending or revoking the licenses of businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Several organizations – including the Chamber of Commerce – argued the state law was preempted by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 – which forbids states from imposing sanctions for hiring illegal immigrants. But Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in a 27-page opinion that the Arizona licensing provisions fall within the federal statute’s savings clause – and otherwise does not conflict with the federal law.

Several states have enacted measures that seek to penalize employers for hiring illegal workers – others are considering legislation similar to Arizona’s.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports the World Trade Organization’s ruling on the nation’s COOL Law. NCBA President Bill Donald says it was a bad idea from the beginning. He says proponents of COOL have always believed restricting imports of Mexican and Canadian feeder cattle would decrease the supply of feeder cattle in the U.S. – increasing the price of U.S. feeder cattle. However – Donald says the reality is that reducing the number of cattle in the marketplace reduces the infrastructure of the U.S. beef industry and everyone loses. He believes shrinking the size and scope of the cattle industry only serves to cripple producers and the industry for the future. The WTO plans to make the ruling public in September – and the U.S. then will have two months to decide whether or not to appeal the ruling.

It’s been reported that the World Trade Organization is moving against the U.S. consumer information law known as country-of-origin labeling or COOL. COOL requires U.S. food retailers to label foods – including beef, lamb, pork, fruits and vegetables – noting where they came from. R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz says American cattle farmers and ranchers support the law because it enables consumers to exercise choice in the marketplace. He says it also allows consumers to differentiate and select U.S.-grown beef from the growing volumes of imported beef sourced from over a dozen foreign countries.

Canada and Mexico didn’t want the COOL law to pass back in 2008 – and both countries filed a formal complaint with the WTO shortly after the law went into effect. They stated the law violated international agreements. Reports this week suggest the WTO is siding with those foreign countries. Schultz calls this move a wake-up call to every U.S. family. He says people have a right to know and want to know where their food comes from. He encourages people to call their legislators and voice their opinions on this issue.

The fiscal 2012 spending bill advanced by the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee cuts funding to support USDA’s controversial Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration livestock marketing rule. The legislation includes language that expressly forbids USDA from using any funds in fiscal 2012 to write, prepare, develop or publish a final rule or interim final rule to complete action on its proposed GIPSA rule.

The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to consider the bill next Tuesday. If the subcommittee’s ban on spending for the rule survives the Congressional process – it could mean opponents of the proposed rule would have an opportunity to revise authorization for the rule in the new Farm Bill. The GIPSA rule would mean sweeping changes to the way livestock and poultry are marketed in the United States and is opposed by groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

But R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says corporate meatpackers have enlisted the aid of key Congressional members to help them avoid U.S. laws that prohibit meatpackers from engaging in unfair trade practices against U.S. farmers and ranchers. R-CALF supports the proposed rule. Bullard says if this type of corporate greed is going to be stopped then the American people must tell their members of Congress they are ashamed of the effort to put corporate meatpacker profits ahead of the well-being of family farmers and ranchers, consumers and rural America.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified at the first Senate Ag Committee Farm Bill hearing Thursday – emphasizing the importance of America’s farmers and agriculture industry. He says the U.S. relies on American agriculture for its food, feed, fiber and fuel. Also – he says U.S. producers preserve the environment and help drive the national economy. Vilsack says USDA supports farmers in their domestic responsibilities and international role – and seeks to conserve the nation’s natural resources, build thriving rural communities and ensure every American has access to healthy, safe, affordable food.

As legislators prepare to write a new farm bill – Vilsack says they will have to discuss how USDA continues to support those various goals. But the Secretary also understands there will be fiscal and political realities about the size of the debt, deficit and tight budget environment on the process. He says USDA is prepared to do as much as they can with fewer resources – but he has no doubt that cuts will have real impacts for American agriculture and the American people. Vilsack is asking top leaders at USDA to think creatively about how they do business – and asked the legislators do the same as they write the next farm bill.

Vilsack also asked Ag Committee members to give USDA the flexibility to serve American ag and the American people as effectively as possible. While prescriptive programs are appealing – Vilsack says they can make it difficult for USDA to deliver the best results for Americans. Giving USDA that flexibility and time needed to adjust can make a big difference – according to Vilsack – who also asked legislators to recognize that the U.S. has to grow its way out of the deficit – not just cut its way out. He stresses that USDA is ready to adapt and innovate – but they need clear goals and resources to get there.

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held its first official farm bill hearing Thursday – and Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow highlighted the steps agriculture has made throughout the past several decades – specifically the fact that the average U.S. farmer feeds 150 people. She says agriculture has continued to grow, farmers have innovated and become even more productive and better stewards of the land despite economic and budget struggles throughout the last decade.

Michigan farmer Barry Mumby testified at the hearing – stressing the need for a safety net that buffers farmers from weather losses or unexpected financial meltdowns such as those experienced in recent years. He believes American farmers have realized their moral obligation to be as productive as they can on every acre to help feed the world. Stabenow says the world is being fed not only because of farmers’ innovations – but also by farmers in every part of the world learning new strategies to be more productive.

It’s well known that Vice President Joe Biden is leading a debt ceiling group that plans to cut 200-billion dollars from the federal budget. Rumors indicate almost 25-percent of that – or about 45-billion – will come from cuts in agricultural programs – specifically the Commodity Title and crop insurance. The House budget plan proposed by Representative Paul Ryan would cut 30-billion from farm programs.

National Sorghum Producers points out that while it is vital to cut the deficit and reach an agreement on the debt ceiling – common sense dictates using a program that comprises a mere one-quarter of one-percent of the federal budget to achieve one-fourth of total deficit reduction is far beyond the scope of fairness.

The Vice President wants his group to write policy. But according to National Sorghum Producers – whatever deficit reductions come from agriculture should be turned over to the agriculture committees to ultimately draft the policies and programs that will so deeply affect our farmers, food, fiber and fuel supply – and our rural economy.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation presented its 2011 Main Street Leadership award to Under Secretary of Agriculture Dallas Tonsager on Wednesday – recognizing USDA’s support for revitalizing rural commercial areas. The award is presented every year in honor of individuals or organizations that have provided strong leadership locally or nationally to make lasting contributions to commercial district revitalization, inspire actions and make long-term contributions to a community’s revitalization.

USDA’s recognition was for its support through the Rural Community Development Initiative and the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program. Both seek to create jobs, strengthen business and offer training and financial assistance to local entrepreneurs in rural communities. Tonsager says USDA’s work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps ensure the nation’s small town main streets are restored as vibrant, economic engines of their communities. He says Main Street America drives the rural economy – and a healthy main street is a sign of a strong, growing local economy.