Another closely watched vote was on the amendment offered by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC). The amendment would have prohibited mandatory promotion and research orders, or checkoff programs.

Progress continues on the Farm Bill, as the U.S. Senate successfully passed its version by a vote of 64-35.

The 2012 Farm Bill, known formally as the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 3240), cleared a major procedural hurdle on Thursday, June 7, with 90 of 100 Senators voting to take up the bill.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Food and Drug and Associated Agencies recently marked up their version of the FY 2013 Agriculture Funding Bill.

As reported in last week's Advocacy Alert, the 2012 Farm Bill, known formally as the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 3240), was brought to the Senate floor for discussion. Since its introduction, more than 220 amendments (many having nothing to do with agriculture) have been filed.