Ag Policy
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick to lead the Health and Human Services, is scheduled to appear in front of the Senate twice this week for confirmation hearings.
House passes the ACRES Act and the Fix Our Forests Act, which are strongly supported by America’s livestock producers.
During her confirmation hearing, she emphasized her dedication to agriculture and addressed her stance on ethanol, the Renewable Fuel Standard, tariff impact aid for farmers and Prop 12.
President Donald Trump signed several executive orders on stage at a rally in Washington, D.C.'s Capital One Arena on Monday, immediately following inauguration. It marked a dramatic and public start to his administration.
Outgoing USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a letter to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture acknowledging the progress made in reopening cattle trade between the two countries following the detection of New World Screwworm, but says more action is needed to resume trade.
Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent outlined a three-pronged approach to tariffs during his Senate testimony this week, including targeted tariffs, general tariffs as revenue generators and tariffs as a negotiation tool.
Throughout the hearing, Lee Zeldin underscored the importance of protecting the environment without hindering economic development. He stated, “We can, and we must, protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy.”
USDA finalizes third new regulation under the Biden-Harris administration to create fairness and transparency for contract farmers.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and state senators are introducing legislation to keep lab-grown meat from being manufactured, distributed or sold in Nebraska.
This “Nutrition Info box,” a black-and-white design, will display levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, categorized as “Low,” “Med,” or “High,” along with the percent Daily Value for each nutrient.
Trump has long expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, a Danish territory, describing it as “absolutely necessary” for U.S. security. He also raised concerns over the Panama Canal, claiming its current operation by Chinese interests undermines American control of a critical trade route.
Canada is preparing for potential trade challenges following Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The Canadian government is considering a proactive approach, including the possible early release of a retaliatory tariff list.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), commits to fast-tracking Trump’s legislative agenda by May, which is perhaps the biggest bill in American history. There will be unprecedented spending cuts to help pay for it all, along with newly proposed tariffs on imported goods.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Jan. 3 that it will award $306 million to continue its H5N1 Avian Flu response.
The Senate kicked off quietly as the House steals the spotlight to start 2025. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) plans to pass individual appropriations bills and a farm bill as well as focus on regular order and extended floor debates.
From a possible trade war to brewing discontent within the country, there are five significant trends poised to shape China in the coming year.
Will corporations, LLCs, and LPs be required to report Beneficial Ownership Information soon? Here’s the latest developments.
Nearly half of all farmworkers are undocumented, and industries such as dairy and meatpacking plants are especially vulnerable to labor shortages.
As the Trump administration prepares to return to the White House, these appointments signal a continuation of its previous agricultural policies and priorities, with experienced individuals who have both legal expertise and connections to the farming community.
The CR includes nearly $110 billion in disaster and farmer aid, which includes $10 billion in farmer aid and $21 billion ag disaster aid. $2 billion of that disaster aid is specifically for livestock producers. The measure also includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.
If the funding measure fails, USDA has a contingency plan in place for essential workers and services. The plan would retain a small number of administrative employees to oversee activities including disaster response and cybersecurity should funding lapse.
The stopgap deal to avoid a government shutdown includes $10 billion in direct payments for farmers, $21 bllion in ag disaster aid, a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill and year-round E15.
Agricultural groups said over the weekend they do not support year-end spending package sans economic aid for ag producers.
Bill Previously Passed House and Goes to President for Signature
“I know people are concerned about the tariffs, but the fact is, [Trump] looks at tariffs as a way to get their attention and eventually to get better and reciprocal trade agreements,” says Terry Branstad.
Tariffs could lead to produce shortages as well as price hikes, experts warn Mexico and Canada are top suppliers of U.S. agricultural imports. Tariffs may disrupt cattle and pork trade between U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico until they clamped down on drugs, particularly fentanyl, and migrants crossing the border, in a move that would appear to violate a free-trade deal.
The charismatic Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh was well known as a leading expert on agricultural policy and agricultural economics. For more than four decades he was a top adviser to politicians of both major political parties.
In an announcement on Saturday, Trump said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”
Trump taps Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary, signaling tariff-heavy trade strategy. Lutnick has called the tariffs a negotiating tool that could be used to convince other countries to bring down their own levies or to force companies to move production to the U.S.