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52% of New Spending in Senate Infrastructure Bill Funds Transportation, Passage Expected to Hit Major Roadblock in the House

The Senate passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill Tuesday, and transportation could receive more than half the new funding slated in the bill, but the plan is expected to hit a major roadblock in the House.

 Drought and Grasshoppers Ravage Fields in Northwest, Some Producers Bale 10% of Normal Hay Crop
Drought and Grasshoppers Ravage Fields in Northwest, Some Producers Bale 10% of Normal Hay Crop

The drought in the West is producing many firsts, as farmers and ranchers grapple with dire decisions including pulling their cattle off federal lands early. Now many worry they won't source enough feed for winter.

Rural Vaccination Rates on the Rise in 19 States as COVID-19 Testing, Cases See Uptick
Rural Vaccination Rates on the Rise in 19 States as COVID-19 Testing, Cases See Uptick

COVID-19 testing and cases are on the rise as the push to get America vaccinated continues. New data shows rural vaccination rates are up in 19 states, while questions remain about the new Delta variant.

August Provides Brief Break from Heat, Meteorologist Says Much of U.S. Should Brace for Mild Fall
August Provides Brief Break from Heat, Meteorologist Says Much of U.S. Should Brace for Mild Fall

July proved to be a scorcher in the West, but the weather story flipped to start August, with much of the eastern half of the country enjoying cooler and dryer air during the first few days of the month.

EPA Announces Plans to Revert Back to Pre-Obama WOTUS Rule, Public Input Meetings Set for August
EPA Announces Plans to Revert Back to Pre-Obama WOTUS Rule, Public Input Meetings Set for August

EPA announced it's creating a durable definition of WOTUS by reverting back to the pre-Obama era rule as a framework. EPA is encouraging farmers and ranchers to weigh in during a series of public meetings in August.

As Southern Farmers Fight Fall Armyworm Damage, EPA Grants Insecticide Relief in Rice
As Southern Farmers Fight Fall Armyworm Damage, EPA Grants Insecticide Relief in Rice

Southern farmers are battling an infestation of fall armyworms. From hay fields to soybeans and rice, armyworms are causing severe damage. And now, Arkansas farmers have one more option to control the pest in rice.

$1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate Hurdle, Includes Biggest Bridge Funding Since Eisenhower Era
$1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate Hurdle, Includes Biggest Bridge Funding Since Eisenhower Era

The Senate cleared a key procedural vote on a bipartisan infrastructure deal Wednesday, which could set Biden’s infrastructure focus into action. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called it “a very big moment."

From Drought and Derecho Damage, to Losses from Record Cold Temps, $8.5B Disaster Aid Bill Passes House Ag Committee
From Drought and Derecho Damage, to Losses from Record Cold Temps, $8.5B Disaster Aid Bill Passes House Ag Committee

New WHIP+ legislation made its way out of the House Agriculture Committee Tuesday. The $8.5B bill expands not only the type of weather events and resulted losses covered, but also the level of drought needed to qualify.

Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Bill to End Factory Farming, Livestock Groups Fight Back
Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Bill to End Factory Farming, Livestock Groups Fight Back

Democratic lawmakers are renewing the effort to end what they call "factory farming," while livestock groups like NCBA call the legislation a jumbled mess.

One-Fifth of President's Recent Executive Order Impacts Agriculture, Draws Mixed Reaction from Farm Groups
One-Fifth of President's Recent Executive Order Impacts Agriculture, Draws Mixed Reaction from Farm Groups

After President Biden signed a sweeping Executive Order late last week, NCBA and other livestock groups praised the President's focus on meat, poultry. However, not every ag group is on board with the President's plan.

Long Road: Kansas Family Rebuilds and Revives Dairy After 2019 Tornado Wiped Out Family Farm
Long Road: Kansas Family Rebuilds and Revives Dairy After 2019 Tornado Wiped Out Family Farm

From a tattered farm two years ago after a tornado flattened the Leach's dairy in Linwood, Kansas, to a farm with new barns and new life, the Leach family says the journey to rebuild wasn't easy, but it was worth it.

USDA Says Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Plans Will Level Playing Field for Farmers, Strengthen Supply Chain
USDA Says Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Plans Will Level Playing Field for Farmers, Strengthen Supply Chain

On the heels of President Joe Biden signing an Executive Order to increase competition in the U.S., USDA says the President’s plan will also level the playing field for family farmers and ranchers.

Biden Signs Executive Order to Tackle Competition Issues; Here's How it Impacts Agriculture
Biden Signs Executive Order to Tackle Competition Issues; Here's How it Impacts Agriculture

President Biden is tackling anti-competitive issues in the U.S. with a new Executive Order. Signed Friday at the White House, the order could have a sweeping impact on agriculture.

Brazil Meat Packing Plant
Vilsack to Announce $500 Million to Expand Small, Medium Meat Processing Plants

USDA Secretary Vilsack is expected to announce $500 million in new funds to expand meat processing capacity during a trip Friday to Council Bluffs, Iowa, according to Jim Wiesemeyer.

Vilsack to Make Major Announcement in Nebraska, Speculation it Covers Anti-Competitive Practices in Agriculture
Vilsack to Make Major Announcement in Nebraska, Speculation it Covers Anti-Competitive Practices in Agriculture

USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack is scheduled to travel to Nebraska Friday for what the agency is calling a "major announcement." It could include details of the Biden Administration's plan to create more competition within ag.

Biden Expected to Sign Executive Order to Create More Competition in Meat Industry
Biden Expected to Sign Executive Order to Create More Competition in Meat Industry

An expected executive order by the Biden Administration could have sweeping impacts on agriculture, and includes allowing USDA to create new rules to increase competition in the meat industry and protect producers.

AEM, John Deere Respond to Biden's Planned Executive Order Over Right to Repair Equipment
AEM, John Deere Respond to Biden's Planned Executive Order Over Right to Repair Equipment

After more than a decade of legislative proposals, the Biden Administration is preparing plans to allow equipment owners to have the right to repair their own equipment. AEM and John Deere responded to the planned order.

'We've Struck a Deal': Biden Announces Agreement on Bipartisan Infrastructure Spending Plan
'We've Struck a Deal': Biden Announces Agreement on Bipartisan Infrastructure Spending Plan

After months of negotiations, President Biden and announced Thursday a deal was reached on an infrastructure spending plan. The news came after a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators Thursday.

Remarkable Rescue: Five Farmers Save Father and 6-Year-Old Son After Falling 70 Feet into a Well
Remarkable Rescue: Five Farmers Save Father and 6-Year-Old Son After Falling 70 Feet into a Well

After six-year-old Louie Leseberg fell 70 feet into a dark well, his father jumped in to save him. What happened next, and the dramatic rescue that ensued, left even those who witnessed the rescue unable to explain.

JBS
Congress Calls on JBS CEO for Answers on Cyberattack, Ransom Payment

Less than two weeks after JBS was hit with a cyberattack impacting operations in Australia and North America, Congress is now calling on JBS to provide documents and communications related to the May 30 attack.

 One Week After JBS Cyberattack, U.S. Feds Recover Ransom Paid By Colonial Pipeline Via Blockchain
One Week After JBS Cyberattack, U.S. Feds Recover Ransom Paid By Colonial Pipeline Via Blockchain

One week after a cyberattack shut down meat packing plants in three countries, U.S. officials seized the cryptocurrency payment that was made during the Colonial Pipeline hack less than a month earlier.

As Food Production Moves to Automation, Is More of the Food Chain at Risk of Cyberattacks?
As Food Production Moves to Automation, Is More of the Food Chain at Risk of Cyberattacks?

The world’s largest meat producer was the latest victim of a cyberattack. And as the food chain relies more on automation and less on manual labor, cyberattacks may be a rising risk for the food chain.

U.S. Cattle Slaughter Drops 27,000 Head as JBS Cyberattack Cripples Largest Beef Processor
U.S. Cattle Slaughter Drops 27,000 Head as JBS Cyberattack Cripples Largest Beef Processor

After JBS confirmed a cyberattack shuttered some of its processing plants, USDA’s daily cattle slaughter estimates revealed 94,000 head of cattle were processed on Tuesday, a drop of 27,000 head compared to last week.

NCBA Warns Listing Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Endangered Could Harm Conservation Partnerships
NCBA Warns Listing Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Endangered Could Harm Conservation Partnerships

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing to list the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. The chicken's habitat spans parts of five states, including Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

Recent Rains Won't Be Enough to Rid Plains, Southwest of Drought
Recent Rains Won't Be Enough to Rid Plains, Southwest of Drought

The dire drought situation is one USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey thinks could last through at least the remainder of 2021. Forecasts also point to a drier weather pattern returning for Texas and the Plains.

Missouri Farmer Tells Kamala Harris Rural Broadband Struggles Could Throttle Biden’s Climate Goals
Missouri Farmer Tells Kamala Harris Rural Broadband Struggles Could Throttle Biden’s Climate Goals

A White House listening session with vice president Kamala Harris focused on broadband connectivity. Missouri farmer Meagan Kaiser was one of six participants and spoke to the struggle for farmers and rural businesses.

Cattle Groups Say Historic Meeting to Fight Market Monopoly is Just the Start
Cattle Groups Say Historic Meeting to Fight Market Monopoly is Just the Start

Calls for change came to a head this month, as cattle groups held an industry-wide meeting made history. And the groups say the first meeting is just the start.

As Feed Costs Skyrocket, Cattle Producers Faced with Double Dose of Bad News
As Feed Costs Skyrocket, Cattle Producers Faced with Double Dose of Bad News

Grain prices are already historically high, and a possible weather scare could produce even higher feed prices. Now with a price imbalance in cattle prices, producers are faced with a double dose of bad news.

Inflation Concerns Sprout From Climbing Commodity and Consumer Prices
Inflation Concerns Sprout From Climbing Commodity and Consumer Prices

Inflation concerns are heating up as fresh data from the Labor Department shows U.S. consumer prices have risen more than 4% over the past year, marking the sharpest increase since 2008.

Cattle Industry Groups Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss Price Imbalances
Cattle Industry Groups Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss Price Imbalances

The more than $900 margin between producers and packers has the largest industry representatives, that are typically at odds, working together.

Labor Shortage? Data Shows Added Unemployment Payments are Crippling Employers' Ability to Find Workers
Labor Shortage? Data Shows Added Unemployment Payments are Crippling Employers' Ability to Find Workers

Restaurants closing early. Sign after sign plastered along roadsides with businesses looking for help. The hiring issue is crippling everything from manufacturing to the restaurant industry today.

The Strength of a Mom: How One Young Woman Battled Cancer Through COVID-19 Pandemic
The Strength of a Mom: How One Young Woman Battled Cancer Through COVID-19 Pandemic

Kristen Clenney recently earned the title of 'cancer survivor'. The wife, mother and veterinarian says it's a title she feels fortunate to have after her year long journey during the pandemic took grit and grace.  

Is the Death of CME's Open Outcry Trading the Death of True Price Discovery for Commodities?
Is the Death of CME's Open Outcry Trading the Death of True Price Discovery for Commodities?

A tradition for more than 100 years will now be a thing of the past. The CME Group announced this week it's not reopening the open outcry pits on the trading floor, which means the tradition will be gone for good.

Bale Wrap to Drainage Tile, a Pinch on Plastics Supplies is Spurring Nationwide Shortage
Bale Wrap to Drainage Tile, a Pinch on Plastics Supplies is Spurring Nationwide Shortage

Plastic-based products and materials are in short supply as rising costs also deliver sticker shock on many farm supply products. From demand to production shortages at plants, the problem first popped up last summer.

Ag Groups: Biden Misses the Mark with 30x30 Plan
Ag Groups: Biden Misses the Mark with 30x30 Plan

Ryan Yates, managing director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), says while the plan sounds simple, there are still a lot more questions than answers regarding what the plan truly means.

Is There Enough Land to Meet Biden’s Aggressive Climate Goals?
Is There Enough Land to Meet Biden’s Aggressive Climate Goals?

Biden is introducing a plan to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. As some U.S. farmers see commodity prices hit a seven-year high, ag groups say moving land out of production may be a tough sell.

Land Grab or Climate Solution? President Biden Could Unveil '30 by 30' Plan Details Next Week
Land Grab or Climate Solution? President Biden Could Unveil '30 by 30' Plan Details Next Week

Details of a U.S. land and water related executive order could be unveiled soon. Known as the ’30 by 30’ plan, it would place 30% of U.S. lands and 30% of U.S. waters under federal jurisdiction by 2030.

CRP ground rotator
Vilsack Hints at Possible CRP Changes Coming Soon with Biden's 30 By 30 Plan

CRP could be in focus again. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said this week that he thinks greater opportunities are coming for landowners to take less productive farmland out of production and place into CRP.

Devastating Drought: Texas Farmers Say 2021 Drought Already Rivals 2011
Devastating Drought: Texas Farmers Say 2021 Drought Already Rivals 2011

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows from North Dakota to Texas, all the way west to California, the most severe levels of drought didn’t ease across the U.S. this past week. 

Carbon Contract Reality: Why Conservation-Minded Farmers May Not Qualify for Private Carbon Programs
Carbon Contract Reality: Why Conservation-Minded Farmers May Not Qualify for Private Carbon Programs

The chase to capture carbon continues. It’s a possible new source of income for farmers and ranchers, but it's also bringing a set of challenges and questions. The answer could be both public and private programs.

Parking Planters and Culling Cows: Early, Harsh Realities of North Dakota’s Growing Drought
Parking Planters and Culling Cows: Early, Harsh Realities of North Dakota’s Growing Drought

North Dakota just endured its driest September to March ever on record. On Thursday, Governor Doug Burgum declared a state of emergency due to drought. Farmers are now forced to make tough decisions, early.

National 4-H Thinks Biden's Infrastructure Plan Could Bridge the Rural, Urban Digital Divide
National 4-H Thinks Biden's Infrastructure Plan Could Bridge the Rural, Urban Digital Divide

While critics say President Biden's infrastructure plan is too costly and includes more than infrastructure, proponents say it could help bridge the rural and urban digital divide.

Ag Economy Barometer Shows Farmer Optimism Climbed to Levels Not Seen Since October
Ag Economy Barometer Shows Farmer Optimism Climbed to Levels Not Seen Since October

As the 2021 bull market continues, it’s leading to a growing level of optimism from farmers. The latest Ag Economy Barometer from Purdue University/CME group shows farmer sentiments rose to 177 this month.

USDA Reopens CFAP2 Today: With 60 Days to Apply, Here’s Who’s Eligible
USDA Reopens CFAP2 Today: With 60 Days to Apply, Here’s Who’s Eligible

The second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) restarted April 5. Farmers have 60 days to either apply or make modifications to their existing CFAP 2 applications.

The Final Sale: Support Pours in for Texas Trooper Chad Walker Killed on Duty
The Final Sale: Support Pours in for Texas Trooper Chad Walker Killed on Duty

A livestock sale in Limestone Co., Texas turned into much more than a sale last week. Chad Walker was ambushed on the side of the road. A local hero, the livestock sale turned into an act support for the Walker family

Biden Rolls Out $2T Infrastructure Plan, Funding to Fuel Broadband, Roads and Waterways
Biden Rolls Out $2T Infrastructure Plan, Funding to Fuel Broadband, Roads and Waterways

President Biden is preparing to announce a $2.25T infrastructure plan on Wednesday. It's aimed to fuel funding for America’s roads, waterways, broadband and the electric grid, but there's also a focus on climate.

County Fair Livestock Sale Pivots Last Minute, Raises Nearly $100,000 for Trooper Shot in Ambush Hours Before
County Fair Livestock Sale Pivots Last Minute, Raises Nearly $100,000 for Trooper Shot in Ambush Hours Before

Injured Texas Trooper Chad Walker has ties to the fair as his family shows livestock. So, the Limestone County Fair Association livestock sale turned into an opportunity to raise money for the Walker family.

Shipping Costs Surge, Causing Farm and Ranch Supplies Prices to Climb
Shipping Costs Surge, Causing Farm and Ranch Supplies Prices to Climb

Problems at ports are magnifying a surge in container shipping costs. And those costs are now showing up as farmers and ranchers source farming supplies.

Senate Extends PPP Loan Deadline; Only 3% of Ag Community Taking Advantage of Program to Date
Senate Extends PPP Loan Deadline; Only 3% of Ag Community Taking Advantage of Program to Date

Farmers and ranchers have more time to sign up for the Paycheck Protection Program. The Senate passed legislation to extend the deadline from March 31 to May 31.

Critics of Biden's $3T Infrastructure Plan Says It's Too Costly, Not Enough Focus on Infrastructure
Critics of Biden's $3T Infrastructure Plan Says It's Too Costly, Not Enough Focus on Infrastructure

The Biden Admin. is readying a $3T infrastructure and economic plan. While officials say the plan centers around roads and infrastructure projects, critics say that’s only a small piece of the potential proposal.