Agribusiness Update for Friday 10/25/13

The House has passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act by a vote of 417 to 3. The Senate passed the bill earlier this year - and the White House endorsed the bill while noting some revisions. Farm Bureau's Bob Stallman says having an efficient, reliable inland waterway system linked to competitive ports is vital to America's ability to provide affordable farm products in the U.S. and to compete in the global marketplace.

House and Senate Ag Committee Leaders have announced the first public meeting for the Farm Bill conference will be held next week on October 30th. Also - although the Senate is not in session this week - The Hill reports House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray are setting the stage for the new House-Senate budget conference to begin the same day as the farm bill conference.

This month is National Cooperative Month - and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has signed an October 2013 National Cooperative Month Proclamation to salute the entire co-op sector for helping boost the economy and create jobs. In 2012 - Vilsack says U.S. farmer, rancher and fishery co-ops set records for sales, income and assets.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.