National policy to help Texas cotton farmers and the election of a new president “excited about working for the Lone Star State” highlighted Tuesday’s session of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

AFBF voting delegates approved policy submitted by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) that supports efforts to make cottonseed eligible for farm safety net programs. The issue, a major discussion among voting delegates, centered on whether or not cottonseed should stand alone as an eligible commodity.

“We had good policy discussion,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “We now have some good policy, we think, in the book for cottonseed and cotton farmers.”

Farmers from Texas and several other cotton-growing states spoke in favor of the resolution.

“It’s a critical time for cotton growers, and we can’t wait until the next farm bill. This is something we need in place now,” TFB State Director and cotton farmer Dan Smith told delegates.

The Texas delegation also submitted and passed policy changes to Risk Management Agency (RMA) qualifications of a beginning farmer. National policy now supports RMA qualifications coinciding with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) qualifications of 10 years for special crop insurance considerations.

Voting delegates also approved TFB’s submitted policy supporting permanent inspections for imported livestock on the U.S. side adjacent to the border.

“As violence increases in Mexico, relocating cattle inspectors to the U.S. for their safety and protection is paramount,” Boening said.

Delegates also supported voluntary risk management products for poultry growers that would provide assistance during disease outbreaks and reaffirmed their support for fair and open trade that benefits agriculture.

And with their eye to the future, delegates tackled drones, or unmanned aerial systems, during the business session. Farm Bureau policy supports Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration, as well as developing flight limits, certificate and standards of use for the systems.

Voting delegates elected a new president and vice president for the national organization. It was the first open election for AFBF president (no incumbent running) in the last 30 years.

Zippy Duvall of Georgia was elected to serve as the new AFBF president and Scott VanderWal of South Dakota as vice president.

Duvall is a poultry, cattle and forage grower from Greene County, Ga. He has served as president of Georgia Farm Bureau for nine years and held several leadership positions in Farm Bureau and his community.

He is the 12th president of AFBF. He succeeds Bob Stallman of Columbus, Texas, who retired after 16 years as president.

VanderWal is a third generation family farmer from South Dakota and has been president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau for more than 10 years.

“We had some very significant elections,” Boening said. “I thought it was important that our board, who are delegates, and the rest of our delegates who are elected by their districts, had the opportunity to meet the candidates and get to know them.”

And the Lone Star State had a strong voice in those elections. With 27 voting delegates, TFB is the third largest delegation.

It’s a strong voice that will continue to drive discussions and work with AFBF leadership and other states to prevent additional regulations for farming and ranching practices.

“I’m excited about working for the Lone Star State, and I look forward to getting back down there to visit,” newly elected Duvall said. “And I hope I can build their trust in the future. That we can do the right thing for them and work out something and solve some problems for them.”

That relationship will push agriculture forward. Outlining a bright future.

“I believe the convention as a whole turned out very well for American Farm Bureau, for American agriculture and for Texas Farm Bureau,” Boening said.