News

OFBF pushing for changes to CAUV

As the Ohio General Assembly considers the budget bill, the state’s largest farm organization wants two, very targeted changes to the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) included in the final version.

Brandon Kern, director of State Policy at the Ohio Farm Bureau (OFBF) says two changes are being recommended. One would remove non-farm influences from the formula, the second would strengthen environmental stewardship.

“One of the shortfalls of the CAUV formula right now is that it doesn’t recognize that land set aside for purposes of conservation practices, the formula doesn’t recognize those as being less valuable compared to when that land has actual agricultural production on it,” Kern said. “So, it’s really a disincentive for farmers to engage in that practice if the formula doesn’t recognize that there’s a change in the value of the land if you take crops or livestock off of it.”

The Farm Bureau recommended change would require land used in year around conservation practices be put at minimum value under the formula. A change that Brandon Kern says would recognize the fact that farmers are no longer benefiting from having production agriculture on that acreage.

Farm Bureau’s action alert is urging members to contact legislators about the organization’s proposed changes to CAUV.

To learn more about the CAUV changes go here.

Audio: Brandon Kern, director, State Policy, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation