Latest News From Ag Policy

Beef sales slightly below last week's level.

Report to show On Feed up from year-ago levels.

Showers also benefit crops in Australia.

The Environmental Protection Agency decides to retain the current coarse particulate matter (dust) standard.

Soybean sales within expectations.

Still a lot of rain is needed to end the long-lasting drought in the Southern Plains.

Today’s conversations about sustainability are well founded, but some of the proposed solutions are not.

With the prices we expect to charge when the cycle tops, we’ll need all the value we can get.

Recent sharp drops in corn prices may cause some pain for producers, but end users benefit. This is how the free market should and does work, says Jerry Gulke.

This is the third highest September 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

The announcement will classify six strains of non-O157 E. coli as 'adulterants' when found in ground beef.

Drought brought higher placements, but WASDE expects carcass weights to drop.

The Beef Checkoff financial firewall at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is functioning as it should, according to officials.

While corn prices drop, feeder futures prices move higher potentially offsetting any benefit from lower corn prices.

Cattle group says stalling on the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement poses serious consequences for U.S agriculture.

Agriculture groups praise signing of eminent domain reform legislation into law in Texas.

A letter, signed by 147 Congressional members. asks USDA about the time line on the economic Impact analysis and re-proposal of livestock marketing rule.

USDA is doing all it can to make its animal traceability program politically acceptable.

A bipartisan group of 170 members of Congres sent a letter expressing concern over expanding jurisdiction over U.S. waters by some agencies.

Placements into feedyards were also 3 percent above 2010.

Some feel U.S. environmental laws partly to blame for hampering the ability of agencies to adequately protect the border.

Industry representatives this past week outlined their views on key beef industry issues, including GIPSA and ethanol.

Some other USDA operations would continue, but many wouldn't

Some other USDA operations would continue, but many wouldn't

Stage set for deal to head to the Hill

Measure headed to Obama who will sign it

Placements were down 1% while marketings were up 4%.

During a House Agriculture Committee hearing Friday, two committee members questioned Secretary Tom Vilsack about a timeline for completion of an economic analysis.

The amendment would block funds from being used by EPA to modify the national primary ambient air quality standard.

A drop in corn stocks means prices are headed higher. These anticipated unprecedented levels mean more corn in 2011.

Groups seek action on downer/non-ambulatory animals

Policy resolutions approved include policy on immigration, food safety, marketing, cattle health, and federal lands.

Couser Cattle Company, owned by Bill and Nancy Couser of Nevada, named the national winner of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Environmental Stewardship Award.

The priories include trade; transportation; environment; competition; and healthy herd – cattle and consumers

The estimate of 2010 red meat and poultry production is raised from last month, reflecting higher production of beef, pork, broilers, and turkey.

In W. Edwards Deming’s theories of management, there is a basic tenet that strikes me as immutable: You can’t inspect quality into a product; you must build quality in throughout the production process.

President Obama will sign bill into law

Team to head to China in early January

But House Democrats want changes, focusing mostly on estate taxes

Washington, D.C. session pulled previous sessions together and had focus on margins.

Livestock groups support a bill that returns management authority of gray wolves to the states

Autos key portion of deal reworked last week

Passage still expected despite Senate move which ran afoul of the Constitution.

Livestock groups concerned legislation that could include 60 different land bills.

House passage expected before lame ducks leave

Debt-to-asset ratio down to 11.3%

Investory up 3% while placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.50 million, 1 percent above 2009.

But will they actually accomplish much?

The study by Informa Economics Inc. showed that the rule would result in job losses of more than 22,800, with an annual drop in gross domestic product by as much as $1.56 billion and an annual loss in tax revenues of $359 million.

NCBA says EPA has once again flexed its regulatory muscle by disregarding its authority under the Clean Water Act.