Latest News From Ag Policy

US Moves to Full Blown Trade Dispute with Mexico Over GMO Decree
US Moves to Full Blown Trade Dispute with Mexico Over GMO Decree

“We fundamentally disagree with the position Mexico has taken on the issue of biotechnology, which has been proven to be safe for decades,” said Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary.

Ag Trade Between Russia and China Increased to 153% in April
Ag Trade Between Russia and China Increased to 153% in April

China's exports to Russia reached a record high in April, amounting to $9.6 billion.

Supreme Court Rules Against EPA in WOTUS Case
Supreme Court Rules Against EPA in WOTUS Case

Court Justice Samuel Alito said the EPA's interpretation of its powers went "too far."

Cattle Groups Support the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act
Cattle Groups Support the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act

Leading national and state cattle industry organizations have announced their support for the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act.

U.S. States Reach Colorado River Water Conservation Deal
U.S. States Reach Colorado River Water Conservation Deal

Seven U.S. states along the drought-starved Colorado River have reached a deal with the Biden administration to conserve water in a "historic consensus" to prevent supply problems for big cities as well as farmers.

House Subcommittee Hears Animal Ag ‘Stakeholder Priorities’
House Subcommittee Hears Animal Ag ‘Stakeholder Priorities’

U.S. House Agriculture's Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday provided an opportunity for animal agriculture stakeholders to detail their priorities they hope to achieve from lawmakers actions.

Ag Will be Granted  $11 Million to be Part of the Climate "Solution"
Ag Will be Granted $11 Million to be Part of the Climate "Solution"

John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, says ag need to be "front and center" as the climate solution.

Lawmakers Meet with Biden to Discuss Farm Bill 2023
Lawmakers Meet with Biden to Discuss Farm Bill 2023

Rep. Thompson signaled he wants to hear “commitment from everyone, including the president, that we will get this done and in the manner I've been speaking about. Bipartisan, bicameral, on time and highly effective.'"

BREAKING: Supreme Court Backs California Prop 12
BREAKING: Supreme Court Backs California Prop 12

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s new humane-pork law, rejecting an industry challenge in a ruling strengthening the power of states to impose rules that have a broad economic impact on other states.

Dead Noise: AM Radio Could Soon Be Phased Out of All Vehicles
Dead Noise: AM Radio Could Soon Be Phased Out of All Vehicles

Automakers, including Ford, recently announced they are planning to remove AM radio from their lineups. Joe Gill, National Association of Farm Broadcasters president, says this move poses a threat to public safety.

US Treasury Dept. Moves to Limit Foreign Land Purchases Near Military Bases
US Treasury Dept. Moves to Limit Foreign Land Purchases Near Military Bases

The Office of Investment Security proposed a rule on Friday that would require foreign entities to garner U.S. government approval before they are able to purchase land within 100 miles of eight military bases.

Rubio's Bill Would Exclude Soda and Prepared Desserts from SNAP
Rubio's Bill Would Exclude Soda and Prepared Desserts from SNAP

More than 75% of the farm bill is reserved for nutrition and SNAP. Congressmembers are looking to tighten the reins on SNAP benefits that "cost taxpayers billions and contribute to the nation's obesity," says Sen. Rubio.

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Ag Bankers Stress Crop Insurance, Farm Lending Link in Senate Ag Hearing

Lenders In the hearing seemed to agree on a boost to lending limits in USDA guaranteed loans as lawmakers ready for the next farm bill.

U.S. Trade with the World Rose in March
U.S. Trade with the World Rose in March

Exports rose 2.1% in March from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted $256.2 billion while imports declined 0.3% to $320.4 billion, the Commerce Department said.

USDA Continues to Host Listening Sessions on Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program, Starting May 18
USDA Continues to Host Listening Sessions on Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program, Starting May 18

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a series of cattle industry listening sessions in the coming months to gather stakeholder feedback on the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program in key states.

Canada Warns on 'Product of USA' Regulation
Canada Warns on 'Product of USA' Regulation

Currently, foreign meat that is processed in U.S. plants can be labeled “Product of USA.”  Arun Alexander, Canada’s deputy ambassador, isn't convinced this is a good practice.

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340 Stakeholders Plead for Ag Research Infrastructure Funding in the Farm Bill

Congress's ag committees on Monday received a letter, urging them to prioritize ag research infrastructure in the farm bill. According to a report, universities need a $50 billion ag research infrastructure overhaul.

Kentucky Joins Band of States Blocking WOTUS
Kentucky Joins Band of States Blocking WOTUS

Kentucky is the 27th state to put a wall up against the legislation. EPA countered Kentucky’s move, asking the court to make clear that the latest rule does not apply nationwide.

USDA Awards $2.29 Million in Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health
USDA Awards $2.29 Million in Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is awarding $2.29 million through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network Farm Bill program to advance APHIS’ animal health preparedness.

Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership
Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership

The Missouri Senate on Wednesday backed a plan to amend the state's foreign land ownership threshold. The bill also includes a provision that would limit foreign countries from acquiring farmland in Missouri by Sept. 1.

4 Items EPA Discussed this Week that Will Impact Producers
4 Items EPA Discussed this Week that Will Impact Producers

Michael Regan, EPA administrator, appeared before the House Ag Committee on Wednesday to discuss everything from WOTUS to the farm bill. Here are the highlights that will directly impact producers.

NCBA Files Comments on USDA Traceability Rule
NCBA Files Comments on USDA Traceability Rule

NCBA filed comments on USDA's proposed rule “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison.” Here's what the group had to say.

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Iowa Legislation Seeks to Limit Drone Flight Over Livestock Operations

To restrict drone surveillance of livestock facilities without the permission of the property owner, the Iowa House recently passed legislation, House File 572.

What’s Wrong with the Current Waters of the U.S. Rule?
What’s Wrong with the Current Waters of the U.S. Rule?

“As I understand it, this rule says EPA is going to determine jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis,” says NCBA's Ethan Lane. “This is never the way you want a bureaucracy to interact with your private businesses."

Senate Ag Leaders Ask for More Farm Bill Funds
Senate Ag Leaders Ask for More Farm Bill Funds

“A commitment to additional financial resources for the farm bill will help to transition our farm and food supplies away from ad hoc support," the Committee members said in a letter.

USTR's Trade Strategy: Stronger Ties with Like-Minded Countries
USTR's Trade Strategy: Stronger Ties with Like-Minded Countries

Non-tariff barriers “are real and can be more significant hurdles than tariffs,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says.

USTR Tai Continues to Push Trade Policy Focused on Non-Tariff Barriers
USTR Tai Continues to Push Trade Policy Focused on Non-Tariff Barriers

While Tai has faced strong criticism about a lack of new trade agreements being pursued, she claimed this week that the U.S. is “nearing a consensus on the need to do things differently.”

How Illinois Legislators are Removing Obstacles for 4-H and FFA Youth
How Illinois Legislators are Removing Obstacles for 4-H and FFA Youth

Liz Hayden, a freshman at Lincoln Land Community College and a former Section 12 Illinois FFA president, recently voiced her opinion on Senate Bill 2132 during a testimony in front of an Illinois Senate committee.

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USDA Announces $1 Billion to Ag, Small Businesses for Renewable Energy and Efficiency Improvements

According to USDA, this funding was made available to help struggling rural communities “recover economically” and offer more market opportunities, improve infrastructure and protect farmland.

What Do Americans Want to See in the 2023 Farm Bill?
What Do Americans Want to See in the 2023 Farm Bill?

A study released by Farm Bureau finds 86% of Americans are concerned about food insecurity, but their trust in farmers remains high at 89%.

USDA Announces Second Round of Debt Relief to "Distressed" Borrowers
USDA Announces Second Round of Debt Relief to "Distressed" Borrowers

This round is for those who were delinquent on a direct loan as of Sept. 2020, restricted a loan after Feb. 2020 through FSA, or those who owe more interest on a direct loan than the level of the principal.

Hunger and Malnutrition Threaten U.S. National Security, Report Says
Hunger and Malnutrition Threaten U.S. National Security, Report Says

Global hunger and malnutrition pose significant threats to U.S. national security, underscoring the need to invest in international agricultural research and development, according to a report by Farm Journal Foundation.

Packs of beef imported from Australia at an Aeon supermarket in Chiba, Japan.
NCBA Calls for Continued Ban on Paraguayan Beef Imports

NCBA asks Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to continue blocking Paraguay from importing beef to the U.S. in response to USDA releasing a proposed rule that would grant access to Paraguayan beef imports.

3 Topics Producers Should be Tracking in the Farm Bill
3 Topics Producers Should be Tracking in the Farm Bill

“We don’t need to rewrite the entire farm bill,” Rep. Thompson (R-Pa.) says. “We’re comfortable with many parts of the 2018 bill and there aren’t many tweaks, instead things we need to protect and invest in."

Cargo Ships Leave West Coast Ports As Labor Talks Show 'Little to No' Progress
Cargo Ships Leave West Coast Ports As Labor Talks Show 'Little to No' Progress

Rail strikes ran headlines in late 2022 and came to an end in December when Congress passed an agreement. But there may be another strike looming in the transportation sector unless the Biden administration changes pace.

Is There Anything New from the Latest Farm Bill Debate?
Is There Anything New from the Latest Farm Bill Debate?

We need to know the final funding level in the debt limit debate before there are can be any attempt to mix and match farm bill titles and funds.

Livestock Groups Back Bill to Expand Options for Packing Capacity
Livestock Groups Back Bill to Expand Options for Packing Capacity

National livestock groups are uniting to support Congressional efforts to expand opportunities for industry to invest in meat packing capacity. 

WOTUS Rule and Producers: What You Need to Know
WOTUS Rule and Producers: What You Need to Know

While the recent rule may be one of many WOTUS definitions, Mary Thomas Hart of NCBA shares how producers should prepare in reaction to the rule now in effect.

Bipartisan Group Pushes for Stepped-Up Basis Tax Rule Protections
Bipartisan Group Pushes for Stepped-Up Basis Tax Rule Protections

A resolution introduced Tuesday would support the “preservation” of the rule and “oppose efforts to impose new taxes on family farms or small businesses.”

USDA Extends Comment Period on APHIS's Traceability Regulations Proposal
USDA Extends Comment Period on APHIS's Traceability Regulations Proposal

The comment period on a proposal to amend the animal disease traceability regulations and require EID for interstate movement of certain cattle and bison has been extended 30 days, USDA APHIS announced.

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What Bodies of Water are Considered WOTUS?

The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. takes effect Monday. Here's a rundown of what is considered WOTUS and, therefore, subject to federal regulation.

US Importers Carried the Burden of Chinese Tariffs Placed by President Trump
US Importers Carried the Burden of Chinese Tariffs Placed by President Trump

Former President Donald Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods during his presidency, raising costs for American companies, according to the ITC.

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Who Defines WOTUS? It Might Come Down to the President or Supreme Court

The House last week has already passed its WOTUS rule resolution and it’s up for a Senate vote. The White House has pledged a veto of the measure, should it reach President Joe Biden’s desk.

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Free-Trade Approach Pushed on the Biden Administration is Met with Backlash

"It would be a lost opportunity if we just sit on the sidelines and watch other countries engage while the playing field continues to tilt against us," said Rep. Smith (R-Neb.).

USDA’s Cover Crop Program Would be Made Permanent through Biden's Budget
USDA’s Cover Crop Program Would be Made Permanent through Biden's Budget

To put cover crop investments in motion, NRCS would draw on federal, state and private conservationists to hire “thousands” of employees for rural America.

'Quit Making Money on the Backs of American Producers.' USDA Proposes U.S. Beef Labeling Updates
'Quit Making Money on the Backs of American Producers.' USDA Proposes U.S. Beef Labeling Updates

Closing the meat labeling "loophole," Justin Tupper with the United States Cattlemen's Association shares his thoughts on the recent USDA update to voluntary labeling standards and what it means for cattle producers.

New Conservation Funding and CRP Took Priority in Senate Ag Hearing
New Conservation Funding and CRP Took Priority in Senate Ag Hearing

"The prioritization of resource concerns must be left to the local level where producers decide how they can best address their unique and varied landscapes and needs," said Sen. John Boozman.

US Trade Rep Tai to Discuss Biden's Trade Agenda Today
US Trade Rep Tai to Discuss Biden's Trade Agenda Today

"In this current situation, the traditional approach to free trade agreements — which isn't just tariff cuts, but that they do tariff cuts on a fully comprehensive basis — isn't what we need right now,” Tai says.

DVM Alerts Legislators To Veterinary Shortage
DVM Alerts Legislators To Veterinary Shortage

“There are so many legislators in policy-making that are unaware of the issues in rural veterinary medicine and rural agriculture today,” says Dr. Jody Kull, owner of Valley Mobile Veterinary Service, Danville, Pa. 

Commodity Programs Might See a 12% Cut in the Proposed $1 Trillion Farm Bill
Commodity Programs Might See a 12% Cut in the Proposed $1 Trillion Farm Bill

SNAP, which historically receives the greatest amount of farm bill funding, will see an 82% increase of a quarter-trillion-dollars.