Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer is well known to Pro Farmer Members for his long tenure as Washington Bureau Chief for Pro Farmer. Now with agricultural consulting firm Informa Economics, formerly Sparks Companies, Inc., he is still offering his expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics as a consultant to Pro Farmer. His Inside Washington Today column on AgWeb.com is a must-read item to keep up with the latest in Washington developments.

Latest Stories
Pork At the Meat Case - Change Driven by Consumer Dollar
Ag Policy
USDA Raises 2022 Food Inflation Forecasts Again, Highest Grocery Food Price Hikes in 42 Years
USDA raised its estimated range of 6.5%-7.5% y/y increase from a range of 5%-6%, according to the May Food Price Outlook report, the highest forecast for all food prices and restaurant prices since 1981.
May 25, 2022 03:31 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Gas pump nozzle, Somerville, Massachusetts
Ag Policy
Diesel Prices Jump 37% in 10 Weeks, Gas Prices Projected to Hit $6.20 by August
The White House is considering waiving U.S. gasoline environmental rules aimed at reducing summertime smog, hoping the waiver will combat rising pump prices, Reuters reported.
May 24, 2022 02:58 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Gregg Doud's negotiations with China’s vice minister of agriculture on an agricultural trade agreement included 33 sessions over the course of a year.
Ag Policy
Who Actually Won the U.S., China Trade War?
The U.S.-China trade war began in July 2018 when the Trump administration imposed tariffs on $550 billion worth of Chinese goods. Nearly four years later, the debate remains as to which country actually won.
May 23, 2022 10:38 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Industry
Filling A Tractor Tank Daily Now Costs Some Farmers $1,000, Double What It Did a Year Ago
U.S. diesel prices are the highest ever, with warnings of shortages, especially in the eastern U.S., and the most intensive part of the farming season is still ahead.
May 20, 2022 03:17 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Katelynn
Ag Policy
Senate Ag Committee Reviews Cattle Market Legislative Proposals
Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking panel member reveals he had ‘spirited conversations’ and ‘unsuccessfully attempted to secure the expert opinion of the Office of the Chief Economist on S 4030.’
April 26, 2022 02:17 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
USDA 2022 food price inflation forecasts already at 14-year high. USDA forecasts for consumer food price inflation were increased again this month, with all food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% and grocery store prices expected to rise 5% to 6%.
Ag Policy
USDA 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More
USDA’s 2022 food price inflation forecasts are already at a 14-year high with forecasts for consumer food price inflation increased again this month. All food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% vs 4.5% to 5.5% in March.
April 26, 2022 12:11 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The revised legislative proposals calls for the Secretary to establish five to seven “covered regions” that encompass the entire continental U.S. and that reflect similar fed cattle purchasing practices.
Ag Policy
New Texas A&M Analysis on Revised Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act Still Shows Huge Burden on Southern Plains
The Senate Ag Committee will hold a hearing this week on a revised bill that proposes to establish a regional mandatory minimum threshold for the percentage of cattle purchased under negotiated grid or pricing terms.
April 25, 2022 08:33 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
CAB HyPlains
Ag Policy
Report on Cash Cattle Mandate: ‘Attempting to Solve a Problem that Does Not Exist’
Working group of ag economists assess Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022
April 21, 2022 01:26 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Kansas feedyard
Ag Policy
House Ag Panel Invites Top Five Meat Processor CEOs to Late April Hearing
The House Ag Committee has requested CEOs from the top five meat packers to testify on April 27. The panel will take “other measures” if the CEOs say they will not attend.
April 11, 2022 08:38 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said only 1.8 million of the 4 million acres in expiring contracts will be re-enrolled in the program as 52% to 56% of the maturing acres were not offered in the general signup.
Beef Production
Vilsack Says Only 1.8 Mil. of 4 Mil. Expiring CRP Acres Will Be Re-Enrolled
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided more details regarding the general CRP signup that ended March 11. He said only 1.8 million of the 4 million acres in expiring contracts will be re-enrolled in the program.
April 06, 2022 11:58 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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