Latest News From Ag Policy

“We rely on the support of farm bill funding and programs to ensure continued U.S. leadership as the provider of the best seed to the world," said Katy Rainey, Purdue associate professor, at the Senate Ag hearing.

Officials have been bracing for an influx of migrants when the authority lifts on Dec. 21. The Dept. of Homeland Security is projecting 14,000 migrants may then attempt to cross the U.S. southern border per day.

Georgia voters today will decide the final Senate contest in the country, choosing between Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.

Europeans argue that the act is a beggar-thy-neighbor scheme designed to lure investors away from Europe, just as the region's economy teeters on the verge of recession.

According to Biden’s economic advisors, as many as 765,000 Americans — many union workers themselves — would have been put out of work in the first two weeks of shutdowns.

With trade opportunities and negotiations soon to begin, two key trade representative positions sit empty awaiting Senate approval for the nominations.

Although China imported more than $205 billion worth of agricultural products in 2021, including more than $37 billion from the U.S., trade barriers deterred China’s imports from reaching even higher levels.

Pelosi said the House this week will “take up a bill adopting the tentative agreement—with no poison pills or changes to the negotiated terms—and send it to the Senate.” Some industry leaders feel it will pass.

Vilsack urged Mexico to "find a way forward" and said that if Mexico's plans went unchanged, the U.S. government would be forced to consider all options, including legal action under the USMCA.

The change will reduce the probability that U.S. beef could be hit with higher Japanese tariffs, according to the Office of the USTR.

The NCBA and the Public Lands Council (PLC) announced their opposition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) final rule to list the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

If development surrounds your farmland and you are feeling pressured to make a decision, here's what to consider before you shake hands with a buyer.

China moved to close parks, malls and museums on Tues. as COVID-19 cases hit near-record levels. Lockdowns follow reports that, days before COP27, Xi sent policy and business advisers to New York to meet U.S. executives.

USDA extends the comment period for the proposed rule titled, “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act.”

Unions and railroads are back at the negotiating table. By law, Congress can intervene to impose an agreement if the two sides remain deadlocked. However, one union is now on schedule to strike Dec. 5.

Thompson is gearing up to replace Rep. Scott as the House Ag chairman in Jan. With his new title in tow, Thompson will be working alongside current Senate Ag Chairwoman Stabenow to pass farm bill 2023. 

If Upside gets USDA approval next, the company said it could start pumping out 50,000 pounds of “no-kill” meat products every year.

Pelosi is to step down as leader of the Democratic Party in the House, a position she has held since 2003. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says he will remain in Congress but won’t seek a leadership position.

Most now look for President Biden to increase his use of executive orders and regulations to fulfill some other goals, including those in the coming farm bill.

Livestock industry groups, R-CALF USA and the NPPC, sit on opposite sides of the fence regarding the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s proposed changes to indemnity regulations.

Phase 2 is targeted to those who suffered losses in 2020 and 2021 but may not have received any payments under Phase 1. With Phase 2 underway, USDA said that the signup deadline for Phase 1 ERP will now be Dec. 16.

USDA announced on Tuesday a $24 million investment to “teach and train” beginning farmers and ranchers through NIFA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).

The farm bill debate depends in part on who controls the House because leadership of the Ag Committee would see definite changes if the GOP wins.

EPA says the proposals would collectively reduce 36 million tons of methane emissions between 2023 and 2035, which it says is almost the equivalent of GHG emissions emitted from all U.S. coal power plants in 2020.

“I strongly believe Trump should no longer be the face of the Republican Party,” said former Representative Peter King of New York, a longtime Trump supporter.

Unions are arguing railroads haven't done enough to address worker concerns, largely surrounding working conditions and paid time off.

What caused the polls to shift away from the predicted ‘red wave’ many had suggested? It comes down to multiple factors, including abortion, Trump and voter turnout.

Congressmen who penned the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 are calling on the Federal Maritime Commission to mend the gap and provide "reasonable opportunities" for U.S. exporters to get their goods to foreign markets.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds USDA's investments the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) aiming to increase options for producers and promote competition.

USDA Secretary Vilsack announces $200 million to increase competition across the economy through expansion of meat and poultry processing capacity, aiming to lower costs for Americans and strengthen the supply chain.

“In the last 2,500 years, every Chinese government that has fallen, has fallen over food,” says Kuehl, Armada chief economist. “They need those import markets—be it from the U.S, Canada, Brazil or Australia."

Friday brought mixed news for the economy. So, is the U.S. officially in a recession? K-State economists say it's more important to watch changes in behaviors versus debating the definition of recession.

Global diesel and distillate fuel stocks have fallen to dangerous levels and the U.S. has been exporting a lot of diesel to Europe and Latin America, but now things are changing.

Funding designated for Tribal Nations and organizations in animal disease preparedness and response activities was announced by USDA APHIS on Tuesday.

The end of the year is closing in. Have you considered new prepaid expense moves? According to Paul Neiffer, farm CPA at CLA Connect, you should.

The Los Angeles, Calif., City Council voted unanimously to adopt its resolution in support of the Plant Based Treaty initiative, discouraging expansion of animal agriculture and promoting plant-based diets.

Immediate Help for Over 13,000 Distressed USDA Farm Loan Borrowers; Begins process to provide up to $500 million more for up to 23,000 additional borrowers.

USDA seeks input on how to identify those who experienced discrimination and what kind of evidence should be submitted to back up the claims.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its general new farm bill recommendations on Thursday. First on the AFBF’s list: “protect farm bill program spending.”

The Virginia farmers filing the suit allege repeal of the debt relief effort is a breach of contract by the government, arguing some farmers made financial plans based on the expectation of getting debt relief.

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association reaffirmed support for the National Pork Producer’s Council following Supreme Court oral arguments in the case NPPC v. Ross.

Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast.

A labor strike along U.S. railroads is still a possibility after the third-largest railroad union rejected a tentative labor agreement this week. The agreement had the support of the White House.

“If California were to win this Supreme Court case, there’s nothing stopping the state from saying, for example, you can only sell corn in California if it’s harvested with an electric combine,” says Dillard.

Testimony heard by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through “tens of thousands” of comments, as well as a roundtable on Thursday, led the DOL to adopt the proposed H-2A changes proposed in 2019. 

Recently introduced legislation would increase annual funding for two programs that aim to bolster global demand for U.S. agricultural products.

USDA says the organizations were selected for their proven track records working with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery workers. The funds amount to $600 per person and will be dispersed in the fall.

By the end of the year, the Biden administration is expected to issue new rules that Government Lawyer Brian Fletcher told the court will “provide greater clarity to the regulated public on all parts of the test.”

House Republicans asked the General Accountability Office to conduct a study on U.S. lands owned by foreign entities. The letter was signed by scores of other House Republicans.

The WOTUS case, Sackett v. EPA, centers on a long-running dispute involving an Idaho couple named Chantell and Michael Sackett. The Sacketts have won at the Supreme Court before.