Latest News From POLICY

Op-Ed: How Fringe Animal Groups Threaten Food Production
Op-Ed: How Fringe Animal Groups Threaten Food Production

The anti-farmer movement now underway by fringe extremist groups is not pro-animal. It is extremism promoting regressive policies that will chip away at America's historically stable -- and affordable -- food supply.

Stabenow Proposes $20 Billion Farm Bill Solution?
Stabenow Proposes $20 Billion Farm Bill Solution?

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) opened the door to shifting almost $20 billion from her party’s climate and tax credit law enacted last year to more general spending in the upcoming farm bill.

Ag Labor Working Group Created to Gather Input from Producers
Ag Labor Working Group Created to Gather Input from Producers

The Committee on Ag is looking to solve workforce issues with the formation of the Ag Labor Working Group. "Reforms are desperately needed to address this pressing issue," said Co-Chair Rick Crawford (R-Ar.).

Scrutiny of Land Purchases by Foreigners Proposed in New Bill
Scrutiny of Land Purchases by Foreigners Proposed in New Bill

Under the bill, the USDA and the FDA would become members of CFIUS and their powers would be expanded to better consider ag needs when it decides if a purchase would create national security risks.

US Has Seen Consistent Growth in Ag Exports to Mexico Under NAFTA, USMCA
US Has Seen Consistent Growth in Ag Exports to Mexico Under NAFTA, USMCA

Over the 29 years of free trade, U.S. ag exports to Mexico increased both in terms of volume and value, although there were some years where growth was not positive.

How Does the Farm Bill Funding Process Work?
How Does the Farm Bill Funding Process Work?

It's not as simple as you might think. House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson shares a rundown of the funding and extension processes. He says the ag committees need to find new dollars to expand the farm bill budget.

Community College Ag Programs Could See $20 Million in New Funds
Community College Ag Programs Could See $20 Million in New Funds

National enrollment in ag and related science majors at two-year institutions grew 41% in Fall 2021. The Community College Ag Advancement Act aims to give these students more industry opportunities.

Farm Bill Will Not See an Increase in Funds
Farm Bill Will Not See an Increase in Funds

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow, (D-Mich.) says there will be no new funding for the 2023 farm bill. However, Stabenow stressed she will not allow a cut in conservation funding.

Farmer Nightmare: Government Floods Family Twice, Kills Herd and Refuses to Pay Damages
Farmer Nightmare: Government Floods Family Twice, Kills Herd and Refuses to Pay Damages

Richie Devillier is fighting back after the government twice flooded his 900-acre farm and home, killed his cattle, ran his family through emotional hell—and insisted he foot the entire bill.

3 Reasons the Farm Bill is Behind Schedule
3 Reasons the Farm Bill is Behind Schedule

The Senate and House Ag committees are facing delays in drafting the next farm bill, and it is expected to be the most expensive farm bill to date, clocking in at around $1.5 trillion.

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."

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.

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.

bank-hastings
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.

Ag Teachers: 4 Free Classroom Lessons Available Through Farm Bureau
Ag Teachers: 4 Free Classroom Lessons Available Through Farm Bureau

According to American Farm Bureau Foundation, the 40- to 90-minute courses focus on four themes: Careers, celebrating local food events, pollinators and regenerative ag.

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.

brucellosis-research
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.

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.

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."

Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports Still Trend Lower
Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports; Beef Exports Still Trend Lower

February U.S. pork and beef exports totals and values mixed, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the USMEF, with momentum continuing for pork and beef slightly lower year-over-year.

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.”

solar_panels_-_Kees_de_Jong_10-10_018
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.

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.

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.”

Water_Stream_Grain_Bins_Pens
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.

water_drop
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.

container-exports-trade
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.).

USMEF Conference to Examine U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations, Emerging Issues in Asia, Farm Bill Challenges
USMEF Conference to Examine U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations, Emerging Issues in Asia, Farm Bill Challenges

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the speaker lineup and registration details for its 2023 Spring Conference, which is set for May 24-26 in Minneapolis. 

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.

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.

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.

U.S. Debt Will Likely Become a Major Issue in Washington
U.S. Debt Will Likely Become a Major Issue in Washington

“Over the long term, our projections suggest that changes in fiscal policy must be made to address the rising costs of interest and mitigate other adverse consequences of high and rising debt," CBO Director Swagel said

How Long Does it Take to Write a Farm Bill?
How Long Does it Take to Write a Farm Bill?

The House will take the reins in writing farm bill 2023. House Ag Chairman Thompson says the pen is “firmly” in his hand, with few tweaks to be made from 2018. The Senate says their version is nearly complete.