Latest News From POLICY

USDA  Issues Final Rule to Clarify Standards Under P&SA
USDA Issues Final Rule to Clarify Standards Under P&SA

New final rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act promotes inclusive competition and prevents discrimination, retaliation and deception in contract farming.

Steve Cornett
Cornett: We Were Wrong on ‘Cheap Food’ Policy

Drovers' cowboy columnist believes "there was value beyond economics to the agriculture of my youth, with chicken houses to be scooped and cows to be milked and gardens to be tended."

Top 5 Takeaways From the Latest Census of Agriculture
Top 5 Takeaways From the Latest Census of Agriculture

USDA NASS has released the 2022 Census of Agriculture data, which revealed important information about the current state of agriculture.

Attacks In The Red Sea Are Now A Nightmare For Shippers. Here's Why It Could Actually Open The Door For More Exports Of U.S. Corn
Attacks In The Red Sea Are Now A Nightmare For Shippers. Here's Why It Could Actually Open The Door For More Exports Of U.S. Corn

From drought issues posing problems in the Panama Canal to growing tensions and attacks in the Red Sea, it's causing freight rates to skyrocket and ongoing delays in shipping products around the globe. 

Firefighters from across Kansas and Oklahoma battle a wildfire near Protection, Kan., Monday, March 6, 2017.
Acting Secretary of Interior Announces $138 Million for Wildland Fire Mitigation and Resilience

Historic funding will support wildland firefighters, reduce the risk of future wildfires, and advance fire recovery.

Is Foreign Farmland Ownership Putting The Future At Risk In The ‘Land Of The Free’?
Is Foreign Farmland Ownership Putting The Future At Risk In The ‘Land Of The Free’?

Steve Cubbage explores the true intentions behind foreign land ownership, and if it could be planting seeds of risk for our food security and national security.

Government Seizes Control of Rancher’s Land for Endangered Bug Habitat
Government Seizes Control of Rancher’s Land for Endangered Bug Habitat

The government seized control of John Yearwood’s ranchland in the name of a tiny bug. “There is no shame in Washington,” he says.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals the Final COP28 Declaration Will Not Focus on Agriculture and Food
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals the Final COP28 Declaration Will Not Focus on Agriculture and Food

COP28's decision to not include food and agriculture as a way to meet climate goals was influenced by a request from the G77 group of developing countries for additional review related to agriculture and food.

USDA May Now Face Court Challenge in Its Implementation of ERP for 2022 Losses
USDA May Now Face Court Challenge in Its Implementation of ERP for 2022 Losses

 Some Republican House and Senate members have expressed their concerns to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, particularly regarding the new payment formula used for ERP in 2022.

Overcoming Challenges for the Viability of the Beef Industry
Overcoming Challenges for the Viability of the Beef Industry

Trust, credibility and authenticity are the three words that Don Schiefelbein came back to throughout this Casual Cattle Conversations podcast as he discussed the direction of the beef industry.

USMCA Trade Panel Rejects U.S. Complaint About Access to Canada Dairy Market
USMCA Trade Panel Rejects U.S. Complaint About Access to Canada Dairy Market

A trade dispute settlement panel set up under a major North American free trade agreement has rejected a U.S. complaint that Canada is improperly limiting access to its dairy market.

As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension
As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension

An extension of the current farm bill is now a reality. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders were able to extend the current legislation as a possible government shutdown looms.

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely
Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband
New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today. 

The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill
The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

The U.S. And Europe Are At Odds Over Trump-Era Tariffs, And It's Now Causing Strained Relations
The U.S. And Europe Are At Odds Over Trump-Era Tariffs, And It's Now Causing Strained Relations

While the U.S. and EU aim to make progress during an upcoming summit, reaching a final agreement is uncertain. This issue has significant implications for U.S./EU ties, climate goals, and geopolitics.

Hispanic Farmers and Producers Help Keep Food on America’s Tables
Hispanic Farmers and Producers Help Keep Food on America’s Tables

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Jesse Larios, a California cattle farmer, shares about his deep roots in agriculture and the contributions his Latino and Latina brothers and sisters have made in the industry.

House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension
House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension

Work by the House or Senate Agriculture Committee on a new farm bill is essentially stalled, Randy Russell tells AgriTalk's Chip Flory. Russell says that could be the case until government funding issues are resolved.

Farmer Gains Supreme Court’s Ear, Landmark Property Rights Hearing Awaits
Farmer Gains Supreme Court’s Ear, Landmark Property Rights Hearing Awaits

After the government twice flooded a farmer’s home and 900 acres, killed his cattle, and insisted he foot the bill, the Supreme Court will hear the case.

The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill
The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill

With the government funding in place for now, work on a new farm bill can continue, with the same questions (timing, funding, Title 1 reform, etc.) still being unanswered. 

Crude Awakening: Rising Oil Prices Complicate Fed's Rate-Hike Decisions
Crude Awakening: Rising Oil Prices Complicate Fed's Rate-Hike Decisions

As brent crude futures soar toward $100, it's creating a new battle in the Federal Reserve's effort to fight inflation. One money manager warns another rate hike is likely. 

John Phipps: Trying to Explain the Unexplainable in China
John Phipps: Trying to Explain the Unexplainable in China

China's GDP growth could possibly drop lower than the U.S. this year. In fact, fewer and fewer sectors are healthy, and only then by direct government intervention.

EPA’s New WOTUS Rules: What Producers Need to Know About
EPA’s New WOTUS Rules: What Producers Need to Know About

Waters of the U.S. rules have evolved many times in the past 50 years. EPA announced another round of changes on Tuesday, following a May Supreme Court ruling that required EPA to revise the definition.

$19 Billion Ag Trade Deficit Expected for FY 2023
$19 Billion Ag Trade Deficit Expected for FY 2023

USDA on Thursday lowered expectations for both ag exports and imports in FY 2023. The export decline is linked to corn and wheat, while the import decline is correlated with easing prices.

Buckle Up: Dispute Panel Called to Action by US in Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban
Buckle Up: Dispute Panel Called to Action by US in Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban

“Mexico’s decree, which runs counter to scientific findings and is in direct violation of USMCA, is negatively impacting American corn growers,” said Tom Haag, NCGA president.

John Phipps: Why Water is the New Oil for Landowners
John Phipps: Why Water is the New Oil for Landowners

John Phipps says there are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.

Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System
Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sherrod Brown have introduced the Farm Program Integrity Act. It would create a cap of $250,000 in commodity support for a single farm operation and, potentially, some undesirable side effects.

Broadband Bill Would Push Internet to Every “Last Acre” in Rural America
Broadband Bill Would Push Internet to Every “Last Acre” in Rural America

“Producers looking to adopt precision ag technologies need network connectivity that extends far past their residences. They need to be able to make real-time decisions that increase yields," says Sen. Fischer (R-Neb.).

Senate Votes to Limit Foreign Land Ownership
Senate Votes to Limit Foreign Land Ownership

Roughly 37.6 million acres of U.S. ag land is foreign owned, according to USDA. However, select purchases of U.S. land could come to an end following a Senate vote this week.

Major CRP Changes Could be Coming in the Farm Bill
Major CRP Changes Could be Coming in the Farm Bill

House Republicans, particularly on the House Ag Committee, are debating changes to the Conservation Reserve Program as part of the upcoming farm bill reauthorization.

WOTUS Meetings on the Calendar with New Recommendations in Tow
WOTUS Meetings on the Calendar with New Recommendations in Tow

EPA has been asked to exclude ditches from the definition of federal waters, include wetlands when they can't be distinguished from navigable waters, and erase the independent interstate waters and wetlands category.

John Phipps: Are Farmers Losing Interest in the Farm Bill?
John Phipps: Are Farmers Losing Interest in the Farm Bill?

Farm Bill discussions and debates don't pack as much drama for producers. According to JohnPhipps, there's an unspoken realization that the Farm Bill doesn’t have the same influence on the farm economy it once did.

New Farmland Bill Would Create a Public Database for Foreign Land Ownership
New Farmland Bill Would Create a Public Database for Foreign Land Ownership

The Farmland Security Act of 2023 seeks to further boost transparency in foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

Ag Economists Turn More Positive Longer-Term On the Farm Economy
Ag Economists Turn More Positive Longer-Term On the Farm Economy

The July Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor showed several key changes from June including a bigger cut to corn and soybean yields, a drop in corn and soybean prices and more bullish cattle and hog prices.

Preliminary Trade Agreement Between U.S., Taiwan Garners Approval from Senate
Preliminary Trade Agreement Between U.S., Taiwan Garners Approval from Senate

The leaders also drafted a proposed legislation earlier this month that promises treaty-like benefits for businesses seeking cross-border investment opportunities via the tax code.

Farm Bill 2023 Draft is Expected by Mid-September
Farm Bill 2023 Draft is Expected by Mid-September

House Ag Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, along with other members, is seeking additional funding sources for the bill, but that will likely be the biggest farm bill hurdle that may trip up lawmakers.

Most Ag Economists Think It's Unlikely the 2023 Farm Bill Will Be Passed in 2023
Most Ag Economists Think It's Unlikely the 2023 Farm Bill Will Be Passed in 2023

The majority of ag economists don’t expect a farm bill to be written by the upcoming deadline, but a few think it could happen by the end of the year, according to the most recent Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor.

The Countdown is on for EPA to Revise WOTUS
The Countdown is on for EPA to Revise WOTUS

EPA has a deadline from the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals to offer a progress report on the Waters of the U.S. rule by Sept. 15.

U.S. Committee Proposes New Roadblock for Foreign Land Ownership
U.S. Committee Proposes New Roadblock for Foreign Land Ownership

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) introduced an act to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. land near security sites, and would push a review of current ownership in these areas.

WOTUS Ruling Causing Confusion in Key Ag States
WOTUS Ruling Causing Confusion in Key Ag States

State officials find these states serve as early examples of the challenges other places may face in response to the recent Sackett ruling on WOTUS.

China's Exports Decline 12.4% Year-Over-Year
China's Exports Decline 12.4% Year-Over-Year

This slump, deeper than May's 7.5% drop, represents the largest decline since February 2020.

Is it Time to Repurpose CRP?
Is it Time to Repurpose CRP?

Dr. Carl Zulauf of Ohio State University, via a FarmDoc Daily article, proposes merging General CRP and Continuous CRP into a Site Specific CRP.

USDA Initiates Aid Program to Address Farm Lending Discrimination
USDA Initiates Aid Program to Address Farm Lending Discrimination

The program targets those who were discriminated against before Jan. 1, 2021, or those still in debt from discriminatory USDA farm loans. 

USTR Comments on USMCA Meetings
USTR Comments on USMCA Meetings

During a bilateral meeting on Thursday, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai discussed with Mexico's Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier various issues concerning energy and biotech corn.

USDA Could Use the Farm Bill's Conservation Title for Climate Change
USDA Could Use the Farm Bill's Conservation Title for Climate Change

Erik Lichtenberg, University of Maryland professor, says Congress could reorient farm bill conservation funds for climate change, but it could cut into their support.

USMCA Up for Debate in Mexico This Week
USMCA Up for Debate in Mexico This Week

Representatives from the U.S., Mexico and Canada will meet in Cancun, Mexico this week to discuss a series of disputes, including Mexican energy and biotech policies and Canadian dairy barriers.

US and China: A New Trade War?
US and China: A New Trade War?

Beijing on Monday announced export controls on gallium and germanium. Now the Biden administration is set to restrict Chinese companies’ access to U.S. cloud-computing services that use AI chips.

EPA to Release More WOTUS Rule Information
EPA to Release More WOTUS Rule Information

EPA plans to revise the "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) regulation by Sept. 1. Both the EPA and the Corps of Engineers have regulatory duties for federal waterways.

McConnell: Extra funding for farm bill ‘hard to come by'
McConnell: Extra funding for farm bill ‘hard to come by'

While Sen. McConnell says the budget has little give, Sen. Boozeman has consistently said he will not support a farm bill that doesn't provide an increase in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program's reference prices.

High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds
High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.