Ag Policy
This critical role represents the interests of America’s farmers and ranchers and the U.S. government in trade talks with foreign nations by working to reduce trade barriers, opening new markets, and eliminating unfair trade practices.
At least nine dairies in Texas were targets of I-9 audits over the weekend. Producers argue it’s a “broken” immigration system, and the recent audits prove the E-Verify program has flaws. Despite criticism, the dairy industry is pushing to be included in the H-2A guest worker program.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins unveils 5-point plan to bolster USDA’s efforts to combat foodborne illness.
In what it calls a comprehensive action plan for agriculture security, USDA unveiled seven critical areas the Trump administration will address, and securing and protecting U.S. farmland from being owned by China topped that list.
Technology overhaul, staffing upgrades at the local level and program tweaks aim to improve service for 23,000 farmers.
Paul Neiffer reviews the newly signed bill, and explains why he gives this bill a grade of B+ for most farmers.
In addition to major tax provisions, the bill enhances the current safety net, providing $66 billion in new spending for farm programs.
The deal, according to President Trump, allows the U.S. “total access” to Vietnam’s markets with a zero tariff on U.S. products exported to Vietnam.
Beef producers are urging Congress to vote yes on Big Beautiful Bill to deliver tax relief and help farmers and ranchers stay in business for generations to come.
The groups are urging the administration to “formally include farmers, ranchers and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process.” An action report — a follow-up to the MAHA report released in May — is due by August 12.
The on-again, off-again reports regarding ICE raids is sowing confusion for those who rely on immigrant labor and causing labor shortages because employees aren’t showing up for work.
The Senate and House each have their own Committee proposals for President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. There are some key differences in each that could impact farmers and ranchers.
After a week of ICE seemingly targeting dairy farms, California produce farms and a meat packing plant in Nebraska, President Donald Trump is reportedly ordering the Department of Homeland Security to exclude farms from immigration raids.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins was questioned by several House Ag Committee members about USDA’s cuts, including the impact of the 6,000 DOGE firings at the agency, that were later reinstated by the court.
The Nebraska was the “largest worksite enforcement operation” in the state during the Trump presidency, the Homeland Security Department said. U.S. Congressman Don Bacon told local media 75-80 people were detained.
While the 1,000-page bill includes spending increases for agriculture-facing programs by $56.6 billion over the next decade, there’s one major priority that didn’t make it into the House’s version.
According to the latest USDA data released from the U.S. Meat Export Federation, beef exports to China dropped 70% in April and pork exports fell 35%. With trade talks ongoing, there is optimism for the remainder of the year.
The third round of disaster aid payments through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program is the largest amount appropriated by Congress. USDA Deputy Undersecretary Brooke Appleton says those payments are being prepared now.
Emergency Livestock Relief Program payments will be automatically distributed to eligible producers to cover grazing losses due to drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024.
A federal court ruled Wednesday that an emergency law does not provide President Trump with unilateral authority to impose tariffs on nearly every country. The interruption was short-lived after a federal appeals court granted the Trump administration’s request to temporarily pause a lower-court ruling.
USDA says funding increase will ensure American-produced meat and poultry can make it to market and onto the tables of families across the country.
Wholestone Farms was honored to be a part of an announcement that backs American farm families.
A growing number of states are passing legislation that puts constraints on cultivated meat.
Top of the list: Reforming the FSA loan program, regulatory action to disincentivize federal funding for solar panels on productive farmland and expanding permitting of unused or underused federal land for long-term leases.
After suspending live cattle imports from Mexico and a trip to the UK to talk trade, the secretary of agriculture looks ahead to domestic affairs and the anticipated May 22 MAHA report.
The massive bill faced two major hurdles, passing out of both the House Agriculture and House Ways and Means Committees. While the legislation is filled with positive tax provisions for farmers, potential cuts to SNAP are creating controversy.
NCBA applauds Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ aggressive efforts to suspend Mexican cattle, horse and bison imports, saying Mexico’s corruption and mismanagement has caused the pest to spread closer to the U.S.
Due to the northward spread of New World Screwworm, a month-by-month suspension is effective immediately and will continue until a significant window of containment is achieved.
The deal decreases U.K.’s ethanol tariff from 19% to 0%, creates an opportunity for cattle ranchers to export millions more and opens a $100 million market with free access for rice farmers, says Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture.
U.S. ag products, including beef and ethanol, experienced a $5 billion victory today with the U.S.-UK trade deal.