http://www.agweb.com/blogs/ John Block has dedicated his professional career to the fields of agriculture, food and health. AgWeb.comhttp://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Trade_9887/With all the noise coming out of Washington focusing on healthcare, cap and trade, and financial regulation, it is easy to forget about some other serious issues that need attention.John BlockFri, 25 Sep 2009 11:17:31 GMT9887http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Frustrations_10373/The Congress can’t seem to get anything done.John BlockFri, 02 Oct 2009 09:31:45 GMT10373http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Animal_Agriculture_10671/I don’t even remember a time when the farmers, ranchers, and the broad ag industry were threatened more than we are today.John BlockFri, 18 Dec 2009 10:37:34 GMT10671http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Trade_Opportunities_11106/How do we breathe some life into the agriculture economy?John BlockFri, 17 Jul 2009 09:52:47 GMT11106http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Indirect_Land_Use_11244/The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to rule that “indirect land use” must be considered in calculating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biofuels. The issue is radio active.John BlockFri, 05 Jun 2009 09:53:40 GMT11244http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Horse_Slaughter_11314/I grew up riding horses. I love horses. I also grew up raising 4-H calves and pigs. Yes, to me they were pets, but I also knew that they were property and were to be used for a period of time and would be sold some day.John BlockFri, 24 Jul 2009 09:29:22 GMT11314http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Radio_Show_5-29-08_Barack_Obama_11627/           
          ]]>John BlockWed, 04 Jun 2008 03:44:33 GMT11627http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Eggs_Anyone_11650/I sat at my desk this morning to prepare my radio commentary and a host of ideas were on my mind.John BlockThu, 03 Jun 2010 18:25:36 GMT11650http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Atrazine_11974/When I take an inventory of the litany of assaults on commercial agriculture, I can hardly believe it.John BlockSun, 07 Feb 2010 20:55:21 GMT11974http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Down_On_The_Farm_12039/Down on the farm in Illinois. That’s where I was this week.John BlockThu, 09 Jul 2009 17:29:22 GMT12039http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Hans_Block_(1959-2009)__12106/On Friday, July 31, 2009, my son and farming partner for more than 20 years was killed in a traffic accident as he was returning home for dinner.John BlockFri, 14 Aug 2009 12:13:25 GMT12106http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Norman_Borlaug_12153/The United States of America has a long list of very famous people.John BlockThu, 17 Sep 2009 09:54:39 GMT12153http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Look_Ahead_To_2010_12176/I can’t believe it but we are already in 2010. We’ve turned the page.John BlockThu, 07 Jan 2010 17:40:24 GMT12176http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Food_Prices_12264/Isn’t it a little hard now to blame the higher food prices on corn-based ethanol? All spring and summer, the food manufacturing companies pointed their finger at corn going to fuel and used that as an excuse to jack up their prices.John BlockThu, 23 Oct 2008 15:35:41 GMT12264http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/World_Food_Day_12395/This Friday, October 16 was “World Food Day.”John BlockFri, 16 Oct 2009 09:50:50 GMT12395http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/We_Eat_Too_Much_12445/Combating obesity in the U.S. cannot be dealt with unless we understand how we got where we are today.John BlockFri, 29 May 2009 09:43:35 GMT12445http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Beef_With_Korea_12446/I found it hard to believe as I watched on television the thousands of South Koreans protesting their government’s decision to accept U.S. beef.​John BlockFri, 20 Jun 2008 13:22:12 GMT12446http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Sustainable_12596/I’ve come across a lot of whacko ideas over the years but here’s one that is outrageousJohn BlockMon, 18 Aug 2008 04:43:31 GMT12596http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Energy_Independence_12708/Prompted by lower oil prices and the beginning of the driving season, Americans are expected to start hitting the highways again.John BlockFri, 22 May 2009 09:58:13 GMT12708http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Estate_Tax_13044/How many years have small businesses and farms been trying to get the federal government to provide “death tax” relief?John BlockThu, 12 Nov 2009 17:07:28 GMT13044http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Ag_Investment_13263/This week, I stood in one of my corn fields barely able to see over the rich green leaves reaching for the sky.John BlockThu, 10 Jul 2008 12:29:38 GMT13263http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Montana_Horses__13318/Last weekend, with our corn all planted in record time, I went out to Montana.John BlockTue, 04 May 2010 14:36:13 GMT13318http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Inconvenient_Truth_13383/Do we really think that the climatologists, journalists, politicians, and climate groupies that flew off to Copenhagen can save us?John BlockTue, 15 Dec 2009 14:21:31 GMT13383http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Global_Financial_Conference_–_My_Thoughts_13455/We heard the hysteria about skyrocketing oil prices headed for 200 dollars a barrel. Corn was going to 9 dollars per bushel. Now, they are both down by more than 30%. The new hysteria in the spotlight is a national financial crisis.John BlockFri, 26 Sep 2008 19:52:09 GMT13455http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Venezuela_13498/I read a very interesting article in the Washington Post last week. There is a lesson to be learned if you think about it.Washington Post last week. There is a lesson to be learned if you think about it.]]>John BlockFri, 26 Jun 2009 10:19:08 GMT13498http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Animal_Agriculture_13535/It is time to sound the alarm. If the agriculture industry does not come together and aggressively defend our interests, we will see our ability to compete in the production of food diminish every year.John BlockMon, 13 Apr 2009 11:29:57 GMT13535http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Spring_Planting_13599/What a difference a year makes.John BlockFri, 23 Apr 2010 10:54:23 GMT13599http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Chairman_Collin_Peterson__13667/Last week, I stopped by the office of House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson.John BlockThu, 04 Mar 2010 16:48:14 GMT13667http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Food_Safety_13736/For a long time, we have been hearing the screams of anguish from consumer organizations and politicians (especially the politicians) demanding that the government fix the food safety problem. ]]>John BlockFri, 12 Sep 2008 10:08:09 GMT13736http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Where_Secretary_Vilsack_Stands_14001/I called Secretary Vilsack last week and wished him well. Secretaries of Agriculture are never lacking for challenges. I inherited a grain embargo that was killing our farm economy. He has a peanut butter problem that is killing people.John BlockWed, 18 Feb 2009 10:08:27 GMT14001http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Best_Practices_14104/Last week, I was in the “heartland,” on the farm in Illinois, walking in the corn fields, checking population and ear size. I was also in Western Iowa where the corn and soybeans could make a record yield.John BlockFri, 29 Aug 2008 13:02:13 GMT14104http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/US_Vs_Russia_14255/I think we need to reevaluate our relationship with Russia. Let’s take that one problem off the table.John BlockThu, 09 Oct 2008 15:16:57 GMT14255http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Blame_Game_14358/I turn on the television and I see some blowhard member of Congress going on and on blaming everyone for our economic problems, and refusing to fairly look at the facts.John BlockMon, 02 Mar 2009 10:07:04 GMT14358http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Speaking_To_The_CME_14365/This week, I spoke to the Global Financial Leadership Conference presented by the Chicago Mercantile ExchangeJohn BlockThu, 18 Sep 2008 10:51:50 GMT14365http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Property_Rights_14392/The erosion of personal property rights is a serious concern for a lot of people in our country. We have reached a point where you really don’t know what to do if an intruder enters your house in the middle of the night.John BlockFri, 20 Feb 2009 09:36:55 GMT14392http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Trip_To_Cuba_14561/I’m reporting to you today by phone – on the way back from Cuba. Our delegation of 12 was mostly farmers – all with a sincere interest in normalizing relations with Cuba.John BlockFri, 20 Mar 2009 09:59:42 GMT14561http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Down_On_The_Farm_14564/I was on the farm last week. It is so exciting to drive that combine and watch that big machine, like magic, sort out the kernels of corn from the trash.​John BlockThu, 05 Nov 2009 17:24:58 GMT14564http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Dysfunctional_14568/Do President Obama and Congress have the courage to change policy? I don’t know.John BlockFri, 07 May 2010 09:54:05 GMT14568http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/“Lobbyists_14637/In the eyes of Barack Obama, and John McCain, Washington lobbyists are radioactiveJohn BlockThu, 26 Jun 2008 13:10:53 GMT14637http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Merry_Christmas_14680/This is Christmas – a time to be thankful for our blessings.John BlockMon, 21 Dec 2009 08:49:19 GMT14680http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/You_Be_The_Judge_14958/You be the judge.  In 3 months, we will elect a new President...John BlockThu, 07 Aug 2008 14:58:22 GMT14958http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Getting_Out_Of_This_Mess_15044/We find our country in an unbelievable economic quagmire. How can we get out of this mess? Maybe the place to start would be to ask – what did we do to get into it in the first place?John BlockThu, 20 Nov 2008 17:25:46 GMT15044http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Hard_Choices_15053/How many people have gotten into serious financial trouble after running up their credit card debt?John BlockFri, 12 Jun 2009 16:04:36 GMT15053http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Energy_Independence_15427/Are we really serious about reducing our reliance on imported energy?John BlockThu, 29 Oct 2009 16:17:52 GMT15427http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Turmoil__Uncertainty__15557/Wherever you look locally, nationally, or globally, there is a lot going on that we didn’t anticipate.John BlockThu, 20 May 2010 17:45:50 GMT15557http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Promises_Promises_15567/As great as our country is and as effective as our system of government has been, I begin to wonder sometimes -- can it be sustained?John BlockThu, 04 Sep 2008 15:43:28 GMT15567http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Trade_15705/President Obama has set an ambitious goal of doubling our exports and creating 2 million jobs in the next 5 years.John BlockThu, 01 Apr 2010 22:06:00 GMT15705http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/John_Mackeys_Advice_15787/The air is saturated with loud noise about health care reform. That’s all we hear.John BlockFri, 28 Aug 2009 09:47:25 GMT15787http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Food_For_Thought_15804/The headlines read “Food Stamp Use Soars, and Stigma Fades.”John BlockFri, 04 Dec 2009 09:16:29 GMT15804http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Ten_Days_In_Europe_15906/Back from EuropeJohn BlockThu, 21 Aug 2008 11:29:47 GMT15906http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Greece_Now_Whos_Next_15931/Just when we begin to believe that our economy is on the upward trail to recovery and the world economy is looking more promising, there we see Greece – in the headlights.John BlockFri, 14 May 2010 12:19:05 GMT15931http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Fred_The_Farmer__16134/All of the attention of the country has been on healthcare reform and cap and trade.John BlockThu, 25 Feb 2010 10:50:44 GMT16134http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Secretary_Vilsack_Speaks_16406/Last week, I moderated a panel of speakers for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.John BlockTue, 16 Feb 2010 11:13:11 GMT16406http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Lets_Control_Our_Spending_16447/With this election behind us and the global economic crisis as background, I have to ask, did we really learn anything? Is it going to be more of the same? Spend, spend, spend and watch the debt pile up.John BlockThu, 06 Nov 2008 17:26:54 GMT16447http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/UN_Food_Meeting_16495/Last week, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization met in Rome.John BlockFri, 13 Jun 2008 09:50:49 GMT16495http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Biotechnology_On_The_March_16605/As we fought the weather challenge last fall, I couldn’t help but marvel at how the corn was still standing like trees – straight and tall.​John BlockThu, 18 Mar 2010 16:23:06 GMT16605http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Free_Trade_16643/Free trade agreements have become a hard sell in recent years.John BlockThu, 31 Jul 2008 11:04:18 GMT16643http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Time_To_Drill_16706/For months now, we have been hearing constant complaints about the cost of energyJohn BlockThu, 17 Jul 2008 13:54:34 GMT16706http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Energy_16719/I don’t recall anyone predicting last June that by Thanksgiving oil prices would be below 50 dollars per barrel. From nearly $150 down to $50 – no way!John BlockFri, 05 Dec 2008 12:17:12 GMT16719http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Cuba_and_Toyota_16885/Today, I have 2 issues that I want to talk about. And they are Cuba and Toyota.John BlockWed, 10 Mar 2010 22:30:50 GMT16885http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/A_Look_Back_At_2009_16979/Just for a moment, let’s look back at 2009.John BlockThu, 31 Dec 2009 12:23:36 GMT16979http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Animal_Agriculture_17271/Keep your eye on this. It could have serious long-term consequences for animal agriculture in t his country. Next week, a California ballot initiative will be voted on that would prohibit the confinement of laying hens, veal calves, and sows. Cages and crates – no more.John BlockThu, 30 Oct 2008 17:14:37 GMT17271http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/GM_Crops_Blessed_by_the_Vatican_17364/Maybe you missed this, but I think it is significant. The Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Science has endorsed genetically modified crops.John BlockFri, 07 Aug 2009 11:53:20 GMT17364http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Dont_Blame_Us_17410/John BlockSat, 26 Jul 2008 03:57:05 GMT17410http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Radio_Show_6-5-08_Energy_Independence_17416/John BlockThu, 05 Jun 2008 15:16:50 GMT17416http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Farmer_Coops_17467/Earlier this month, I spoke to a meeting of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.John BlockThu, 18 Feb 2010 17:23:00 GMT17467http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Down_On_The_Farm_17739/I’m talking to you today from the farm in Illinois. Here it is the second week of May and we’re just getting started planting our corn. We are usually finished by this date. Some say late planting doesn’t always hurt yield, but history says – “it does.”John BlockFri, 15 May 2009 10:53:38 GMT17739http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Global_Economy_17834/I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.John BlockMon, 30 Nov 2009 10:38:04 GMT17834http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Immigration_17873/What about immigration? Is the Congress going to try to address this difficult and polarizing issue this year?John BlockWed, 14 Apr 2010 16:20:05 GMT17873http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Corn_Harvest_18076/Appreciating the abundance of quality food here in the U.S. brings to mind the hungry and starving in many other nations around the globe. There is plenty of food in the world. It doesn’t always get to those who need it.John BlockThu, 16 Oct 2008 15:39:24 GMT18076http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Obesity_18128/Walk down any street in almost any city in the U.S. and you will see too many people that are clearly overweight.John BlockFri, 09 Apr 2010 10:23:34 GMT18128http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Bribe_Brazil_18223/Let me submit to you a situation, and you can think about whether it is real or something that I just dreamed up.John BlockFri, 28 May 2010 11:55:31 GMT18223http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Health_Care_Reform_18290/Health Care Reform and Cap and Trade seem to be the only issues in the spotlight here in this town.John BlockMon, 03 Aug 2009 10:11:31 GMT18290http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Tax_and_Spend_18312/We have a long list of serious problems that the President and Congress need to address.John BlockTue, 07 Jul 2009 16:44:48 GMT18312http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Card_Check_18418/One of the highest priority pieces of legislation championed by the Democratic Party and driven by the labor unions is the so-called Employee Free Choice Act. Sounds good. Sounds patriotic American.John BlockFri, 03 Apr 2009 09:52:24 GMT18418http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Afghanistan__18446/Six months ago, here is what I said in my commentary –John BlockThu, 08 Oct 2009 17:21:57 GMT18446http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Personal_Responsibility_18660/I’m holding in my hand today’s Washington Post newspaper. The front page story features a woman who packed up her most precious belongings in her rusty pick-up truck and drove 1,000 miles from Ohio to N. Dakota.John BlockMon, 24 Aug 2009 09:49:11 GMT18660http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Scary_Times_18781/Most years in the first month, I make predictions for the year ahead. There is so much uncertainty right now, my crystal ball is fogged over.John BlockFri, 06 Mar 2009 09:59:10 GMT18781http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Heartland_Attitude_18814/At the annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters I was surprised to witness the almost universal anger and disenchantment with the leadership in Washington, D.C.John BlockThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:44:17 GMT18814http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/An_Obama_Presidency_19069/The big question in the country is – “What will an Obama Presidency mean for agriculture?” Some are excited and hopeful. Others are apprehensive and unsure.John BlockFri, 14 Nov 2008 19:27:35 GMT19069http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Grading_The_Politicians_19395/Today, I want to grade some of our political leaders in their effectiveness in serving the ag industry.John BlockFri, 22 Jan 2010 11:42:52 GMT19395http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Family_Gardens_19407/It’s spring. Time to plant your garden. That is one way to contribute to the green revolution. Michelle Obama has set the example by digging up part of the White House lawn to plant vegetables. Family gardens are the way to go.John BlockFri, 24 Apr 2009 09:48:46 GMT19407http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Competing_In_A_Global_Economy_19457/There is a big liberal push for a cap and trade law in this country that supposedly would reduce the greenhouse gas emissions over time.John BlockThu, 14 Jan 2010 17:44:32 GMT19457http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Swine_Flu_19462/As if we didn’t have enough problems, out of the blue “swine flu” hits the headlines.John BlockThu, 30 Apr 2009 17:53:03 GMT19462http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Ag_Week_19664/Last week was “Ag Week” – a time to celebrate the enormous contribution that farmers, ranchers, and the whole of the ag industry bring to this country and the world.John BlockThu, 25 Mar 2010 18:00:00 GMT19664http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Policeman_to_the_World_19753/I think President Obama and his friends in Congress are spending too much money. Their budget plan is unsustainable. On the home front, I don’t like what I see.John BlockThu, 16 Apr 2009 17:40:43 GMT19753http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Trade_20254/They have a tin ear.John BlockMon, 05 Jul 2010 23:02:46 GMT20254http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/A_New_World_20584/Independence Day makes us look back at what we have achieved as a nation.John BlockFri, 09 Jul 2010 10:50:16 GMT20584http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Trade_and_Jobs_21502/I want to compliment Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack.John BlockFri, 18 Jun 2010 10:10:50 GMT21502http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Tea_Party_Movement_21660/How about that Tea Party movement?John BlockThu, 22 Jul 2010 20:58:25 GMT21660http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/Set_The_Record_Straight__21663/For two years now, environmentalists have wanted to pass legislation to cap greenhouse gases.John BlockThu, 29 Jul 2010 17:39:31 GMT21663http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/farming_transformed/I still can’t get out of my mind how different the farming business is today compared with when I was a little boy. At the same time, in some respects, it’s the same. John BlockFri, 13 Aug 2010 10:47:00 GMT21720http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/germany_/When you look to the East towards Ukraine and Russia, they have been burning up. John BlockFri, 20 Aug 2010 10:18:00 GMT21762http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/mexican_trade_war/We have a weak national economy with unemployment approaching ten percent but we don’t seem to take the obvious steps to improve the situation. John BlockFri, 27 Aug 2010 16:47:00 GMT21820http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/labor_day/Hard to believe, but summer is over.John BlockFri, 03 Sep 2010 08:09:00 GMT21869http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/biofuels/I believe in and support the agriculture industry from the farms and ranches to the nation’s dinner tables. John BlockTue, 14 Sep 2010 08:31:00 GMT21933http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/mid-term_election/Rural America has not been happy with the direction our federal government has taken in the last 2 years. John BlockFri, 17 Sep 2010 08:46:00 GMT21953http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/atlantic_salmon/There is a segment of our population and the population in other developed countries that want to turn back the clock. John BlockThu, 23 Sep 2010 18:20:00 GMT22005http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/regulations/Governments at all levels, including city, state, and federal, just have this urge to regulate. John BlockFri, 01 Oct 2010 08:46:00 GMT22071http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/agriculture_roller_coaster_/Riding the agriculture economy roller coaster can be exciting, hopeful, and sometimes scary. John BlockFri, 15 Oct 2010 04:30:00 GMT22183http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/GM_Sugar_Beets/There is no limit to the mischief that the environmental whackos can cause. John BlockThu, 21 Oct 2010 16:19:00 GMT22225http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/get_the_work_done/I was on the farm in Illinois last week as we wrapped up our corn and soybean harvest. John BlockFri, 29 Oct 2010 08:59:00 GMT22287http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/election_results/The voters have spoken loud and clear. Let’s hope our Congress and the Obama Administration were listening. John BlockFri, 05 Nov 2010 09:09:00 GMT22334http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/take_our_government_back/The election we just had was an unexpected, hard to imagine shock to the ruling Democratic party.John BlockFri, 12 Nov 2010 14:27:00 GMT22383http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/time_for_leadership/With the mid-term election now behind us, I thought it a good idea to hear a different perspective from my close friend, Rick Frank.John BlockFri, 19 Nov 2010 09:01:00 GMT22443http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/happy_thanksgiving/We certainly have a lot to be thankful for. John BlockWed, 24 Nov 2010 13:51:00 GMT22479http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/heartland_priorities/The attitudes, ideas, and passions bubbling in heartland America are not the traditional voices heard in Washington, D.C. in the halls of Congress, at cocktail parties, and official meetings.John BlockTue, 07 Dec 2010 11:23:00 GMT22545http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/it’s_a_deal/The lame ducks may not prove to be as lame as I thought. John BlockFri, 10 Dec 2010 08:25:00 GMT22572http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/lame_duck_spectacle/The Congressional lame duck session is proving to be a fascinating spectacle. John BlockThu, 16 Dec 2010 21:15:00 GMT22615http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/christmas_2010_memories/Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. I also believe for most of us it is a time of reflection. John BlockThu, 23 Dec 2010 08:55:00 GMT22662http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/happy_new_year/The new year is upon us. Hard to believe. I want to take this opportunity to look back at 2010 and look ahead to the new year. John BlockWed, 29 Dec 2010 21:39:00 GMT22706http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/ge_crops_under_attack/We have been successfully utilizing this remarkable technology to increase our farming efficiency and productivity for nearly 20 years. John BlockFri, 07 Jan 2011 11:19:00 GMT22772http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/_food_safety_legislation_enhances_already_safe_food_supply/The new food safety law enhances FDA’s authority to make an already safe food supply safer. The new law does a number of things: John BlockThu, 13 Jan 2011 18:57:00 GMT22828http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/predictions/I have some predictions from other former Cabinet Members. John BlockFri, 21 Jan 2011 11:36:00 GMT22887http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/a_look_at_biofuels/I like the Wall Street Journal. I read it every day. And I join them in being critical of government subsidies. John BlockThu, 27 Jan 2011 19:03:00 GMT22938http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/who_will_lead/It seems like the whole world is in turmoil.John BlockFri, 04 Feb 2011 08:23:00 GMT22995http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/president_ronald_reagan/Last Sunday would have been President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday. John BlockThu, 10 Feb 2011 20:26:00 GMT23050http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/debttime_to_get_serious_/With our nation’s debt piling up an additional trillion dollars every year, with all the worry about debt in Europe, maybe – just maybe—our own politicians could get serious and do something. John BlockFri, 18 Feb 2011 09:24:00 GMT23121http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/food_security/The headline reads: “Hungry North Korea Seeks Food Hand Outs.” John BlockFri, 25 Feb 2011 13:28:00 GMT23174http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/attacks_on_ethanol/It seems to becoming the “in thing” for big city newspapers and big city commentators to blame ethanol for rising food.John BlockFri, 04 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT23225http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/trade_with_mexico/It’s about time! After 17 years, the United States seems to be moving to implement the cross-border trucking provision which is specified in the North American Free Trade Agreement. John BlockThu, 10 Mar 2011 21:18:00 GMT23266http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/ag_day_providing_agriculture_recognition_/This past week was National “Ag-Week” and Tuesday was “Ag-Day” here in Washington, D.C. John BlockFri, 18 Mar 2011 11:58:00 GMT23324http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/war_with_qaddafi/I wasn’t going to do a radio commentary on this issue, but I can’t help myself. John BlockThu, 24 Mar 2011 16:40:00 GMT23375http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/rising_food_prices_cant_blame_ethanol/With food prices rising worldwide, some self-styled authorities on agriculture are claiming that producing ethanol in the Midwest causes food riots in the Middle East.John BlockThu, 31 Mar 2011 20:07:00 GMT23415http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/down_on_the_farm_/I was down on the farm in Illinois last week. What a relief to escape the political wars in Washington, D.C.!John BlockThu, 14 Apr 2011 21:59:00 GMT23500http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/our_debt_problem/The Standard and Poor’s ratings agency has sent shock waves through our whole economy. John BlockMon, 25 Apr 2011 10:44:00 GMT23556http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/montana_horses/Ranchers and rural people of Montana are delighted with a tiny rider attached to the spending legislation that the Congress passed and President Obama signed. John BlockFri, 29 Apr 2011 07:34:00 GMT23613http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/elections_matter/What a difference an election can make! After last November’s “shellacking,” as President Obama put it, the White House and many members of Congress have changed their tune. John BlockFri, 06 May 2011 08:48:00 GMT23658http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/planting_corn…finally/Down on the farm planting corn and soybeans – that’s where I was this week. After a month of rain, it finally dried up, and the corn is in the ground now. John BlockThu, 12 May 2011 13:11:00 GMT23703http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/tough_decisions_–_where_is_the_courage/There are more questions than answers right now. We have tight grain and oil seed supplies, not just in the U.S., but worldwide.John BlockFri, 20 May 2011 08:40:00 GMT23760http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/21st_century_challenges/Congratulations to American agriculture! In spite of weather problems, volatile markets, and government agencies, both state and federal, trying to tell us how to farm – we are getting the job done. John BlockThu, 26 May 2011 20:59:00 GMT23818http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/issues_of_the_day/What do I want to talk about this week? There are so many issues swirling around, it’s hard to decide. I’m just going to go down a list. John BlockFri, 03 Jun 2011 09:03:00 GMT23878http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/michael_pollan/Unfortunately, Michael Pollan has a following of people that listen to him and think he knows what he is talking about. John BlockThu, 09 Jun 2011 17:56:00 GMT23918http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/the_state_of_the_us_postal_service/With “hat in hand,” the U.S. Postal Service wants to borrow more money from Uncle Sam. John BlockThu, 16 Jun 2011 04:08:00 GMT23960http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/ag_cuts/The ax did fall on ag spending in the House. Another sharp ax fell on ethanol subsidies in the Senate. John BlockThu, 23 Jun 2011 11:38:00 GMT24008http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/trade_agreements/Talk is cheap. It’s time to do something about the job issue. John BlockFri, 08 Jul 2011 13:30:00 GMT24120http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/debt_debate/What to talk about this week? Farm prices are good – corn, soy beans, hogs, cattle. Not much to complain about. We just have to worry about the weather.​John BlockFri, 15 Jul 2011 12:37:00 GMT24178http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/meat_processing_technologies/E. coli contaminated foods and food safety have been in the headlines of late. John BlockThu, 28 Jul 2011 23:31:00 GMT24270http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/farm_program_prospects/Congress is scheduled to write a new farm bill next year. It’s not going to be a carbon copy of the one we operate under today. John BlockThu, 04 Aug 2011 14:26:00 GMT24315http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/president_reagan’s_philosophy/President Regan’s belief in smaller government with lower taxes, less regulation, and more personal responsibility seem to be a philosophy of government that we lost along the way. John BlockThu, 11 Aug 2011 19:37:00 GMT24356http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/don’t_count_ethanol_out/For more than a year now, the big city press has had ethanol in their cross hairs.John BlockFri, 19 Aug 2011 08:42:00 GMT24418http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/my_escape_the_farm/The political conflicts here in this town have made Washington, D.C., hard to live with. John BlockThu, 25 Aug 2011 16:03:00 GMT24472http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/farming_facts/As you can see, these historic grain and soy bean prices, although exciting if you are a farmer with a good crop, generate a whole host of other concerns. John BlockThu, 01 Sep 2011 22:47:00 GMT24516http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/controversial_issues_in_agriculture/I am sometimes asked if I receive any critique on my radio commentaries. The answer is “yes.” John BlockThu, 08 Dec 2011 15:45:00 GMT25374http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/the_future_of_our_social_security_trust_fund_/We have a growing aging population drawing out more money every year and a shrinking younger work force putting less money into the trust fund.John BlockMon, 19 Dec 2011 09:05:00 GMT25468http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/christmas_2011_focus_on_family,_friends_and_the_farm/We know from a lifetime of experience that some years are not good. John BlockFri, 23 Dec 2011 02:57:00 GMT25510http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/_a_look_back_at_2011/With the new year upon us, I want to look back at 2011. I want to categorize it into the good, the bad, and the ugly. John BlockFri, 30 Dec 2011 01:09:00 GMT25553http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/iowa_caucus_–_finally_over/Thank heavens the Iowa Caucus is over. I’m tired of the candidates arguing with each other. On TV all the time. John BlockThu, 05 Jan 2012 21:36:00 GMT25608http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/the_facts_on_obesity/Let’s consider this national obesity issue. I read a report this fall that predicted that half of the adults in the U.S. would be obese by 2030.John BlockFri, 13 Jan 2012 13:11:00 GMT25711http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/the_facts_of_modern-day_farming/When my father started farming 75 years ago, one third of our nation’s population were farmers. Today, only 3% are farmers; an amazing transformation. John BlockThu, 19 Jan 2012 15:54:00 GMT25784http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/the_case_for_obama/Jack Block is on holiday this week. This is Rick Frank sitting in. Remember, I’m Jack’s moderate Democrat colleague. John BlockThu, 26 Jan 2012 15:51:00 GMT25853http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/future_leader_of_china_to_visit_iowa/Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is set to visit Muscatine, Iowa next week, where he will reconnect with a number of Iowa individuals and families that he met 27 years ago.John BlockThu, 09 Feb 2012 16:58:00 GMT26007http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/my_policy_predictions_for_2012/Just step back and look at the U.S. and the world. What a mess! Everywhere you look, there is another serious problem. John BlockFri, 17 Feb 2012 15:17:00 GMT26091http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/thoughts_from_the_farm/I have been coming back to the family farm regularly for more than 30 years, since President Ronald Reagan called me to work for him. John BlockFri, 24 Feb 2012 09:50:00 GMT26146http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/ag_outlook_conference/Two thousand people attended as Secretary Vilsack opened the event with his address, followed by an open discussion of issues by 7 former Secretaries of Agriculture.John BlockThu, 01 Mar 2012 16:56:00 GMT26219http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/celebrate_agriculture/We have a lot to celebrate – a lot to be proud of. John BlockFri, 16 Mar 2012 16:40:00 GMT26366http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/tabloid_journalism_–_abc_news_slimes_lean_beef/Reaching new lows in broadcast television journalism, ABC News recently ran a report unfairly and inaccurately disparaging a safe lean beef product by repeatedly referring to it as “pink slime.”John BlockThu, 29 Mar 2012 14:29:00 GMT26497http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/some_good_ag_news/The EPA has been trying to steal our property rights from us for years. Three cheers for the Supreme Court. John BlockThu, 05 Apr 2012 13:17:00 GMT26563http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/need_to_repeal_the__jackson-vanik_amendment/Most people have never heard of the Jackson-Vanik. It is a relic of the Cold War with the Soviet Union passed in 1974. John BlockThu, 12 Apr 2012 11:50:00 GMT26623http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/race_for_the_white_house/With only about six months to go before we vote in November, we have a two-man race for the White House. John BlockFri, 20 Apr 2012 02:22:00 GMT26693http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/John_Block_Reports_From_Washington_178/usda_anniversary/Look back 150 years. Abraham Lincoln was President and he signed a bill establishing the U.S. Department of Agriculture. John BlockThu, 26 Apr 2012 18:54:00 GMT26768http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/nafta/Let me review with you a success story that has been a major plus for the U.S. and especially for our ag industry. John BlockFri, 04 May 2012 11:13:00 GMT26860http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/ag_issues_of_the_day/As you know, we win a few and lose a few. John BlockThu, 10 May 2012 17:05:00 GMT26930http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/obesity_and_hunger/There is one undesirable side effect of cheap, delicious food – obesity. John BlockThu, 17 May 2012 11:35:00 GMT27000http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/the_history_of_farm_programs/Over the years, farm programs and supports have evolved, driven by a series of changes in the U.S. and global environment. John BlockFri, 01 Jun 2012 09:31:00 GMT27143http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/time_for_sugar_to_get_with_the_times/Both the House and Senate seem to be moving forward, for now, with reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Senator Stabenow has passed a package out of the Senate Agriculture Committee.John BlockThu, 07 Jun 2012 14:05:00 GMT27196http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/work_to_do/I don’t remember a time when we had such a backlog of work and difficult decisions staring us in the face. John BlockThu, 21 Jun 2012 08:38:00 GMT27302http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/4th_of_july/Throughout this political campaign, there has been a lot of talk about the Constitution. John BlockThu, 05 Jul 2012 16:32:00 GMT27428http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/drought_fall_out/Here we go again – a short grain crop which means higher prices for wheat, corn, soy beans and on down the line.John BlockThu, 26 Jul 2012 19:33:00 GMT27569http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/gaffes_galore/Be careful what you say. It can get you into trouble. The press is checking. We are all listening. John BlockThu, 02 Aug 2012 11:42:00 GMT27621http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/genetically_modified_sweet_corn_on_the_way/Sweet corn has not been genetically modified, but will be soon.John BlockThu, 09 Aug 2012 13:34:00 GMT27661http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/ag_industry_helping_to_shrink_trade_deficit/Our farmers produce an abundance of food for domestic consumption; but let’s not overlook the fact that some 30% of what we grow we export. John BlockFri, 17 Aug 2012 15:17:00 GMT27712http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/down_at_the_farm_and_state_fair/Never in my lifetime did I imagine that I would have a building named after me. John BlockThu, 23 Aug 2012 09:51:00 GMT27790http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/ag_news_odds_and_ends/Today, I’m going to hit on several issues. John BlockWed, 29 Aug 2012 15:26:00 GMT27835http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/flood_of_regulations/Our farmers, ranchers, and small businesses are about to be drowned in a flood of government regulations. John BlockThu, 13 Sep 2012 13:50:00 GMT27979http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/the_wolves_are_back/Let’s look at some other really serious problems that the whole country faces. John BlockFri, 21 Sep 2012 11:07:00 GMT28045http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/hsus_attacks_on_pork/Suddenly, out of the blue, the Humane Society of the U.S. files a lawsuit attacking the USDA, the Pork Board, and the national Pork Producers Council. John BlockThu, 27 Sep 2012 11:04:00 GMT28094http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/how_canada_dealt_with_debt_/Look at our debt. Sixteen trillion dollars and rising.John BlockThu, 04 Oct 2012 12:13:00 GMT28178http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/not_many_differences_between_romney,_obama/There was a time when the farm program was first and foremost; not any more. John BlockThu, 11 Oct 2012 17:01:00 GMT28240http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/california’s_preposterous_prop_37/On Election Day, California voters will decide on another food labeling ballot initiative, one that is being watched intently by the food industry.John BlockThu, 18 Oct 2012 15:44:00 GMT28293http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/_farm_broadcasters_annual_convention/After more than a billion dollars was spent on attack ads, after all of the debates, after almost a year of TALK, TALK, TALK, the public voted and nothing changed. John BlockThu, 08 Nov 2012 14:35:00 GMT28502http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/does_the_good_outweigh_the_bad/We just celebrated Thanksgiving. I know some of our citizens might have wondered if the good outweighs the bad. John BlockWed, 21 Nov 2012 12:47:00 GMT28656http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/geithner’s_remarks_about_our_debt/I am still fuming over Secretary of the Treasury Geithner’s remarks on CBS Face The Nation last weekend. John BlockThu, 06 Dec 2012 15:50:00 GMT28782http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/cabinet_secretaries_lunch/Last Friday, I hosted the Cabinet Secretaries Lunch at the famous Blair House. John BlockWed, 12 Dec 2012 16:47:00 GMT28842http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/christmas_on_the_farm/At this time of year, my mind always wanders back to when I was a boy down on the farm. John BlockThu, 20 Dec 2012 14:43:00 GMT28919http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/more_cliffs_ahead/It’s a new year with some new challenges, but many of the old challenges are still with us. John BlockFri, 11 Jan 2013 09:20:00 GMT29082http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/fda_–_coming_to_a_farm_near_you/Just last week, marking the second anniversary of Congress’s passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act, John BlockThu, 24 Jan 2013 15:43:00 GMT29196http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/epa_attacks_chicken_farmer/EPA cannot bring itself to leave farmers alone. John BlockTue, 12 Feb 2013 10:19:00 GMT29364http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/our_poster_child_of_government_dysfunction/The Postal Service is supposed to operate independently of the federal government. However, it’s not independent at all. John BlockThu, 14 Feb 2013 13:27:00 GMT29391http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/the_case_of_bowman_v_monsanto/I am hopeful the Supreme Court will find in favor of Monsanto. John BlockThu, 21 Feb 2013 10:47:00 GMT29441http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/musings_about_mislabeled_products/One thing that I would say about the current mislabeling scandal is that it’s not really surprising.John BlockWed, 27 Feb 2013 11:54:00 GMT29499http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/let_the_axe_fall/We can’t keep borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we spend. John BlockThu, 07 Mar 2013 16:50:00 GMT29579http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/ag_day_message/Next week, we will be celebrating Ag Day USA. It is more important than ever that we get the positive message about agriculture out. John BlockWed, 13 Mar 2013 08:43:00 GMT29620http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/agriculture’s_“message”_problem_/The challenge we have in agriculture is to get our message out. The Ag Day message needs to be broadcast far and wide. John BlockThu, 21 Mar 2013 16:44:00 GMT29690http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/peta_goes_too_far_again/If you ever questioned whether animal agriculture was under attack, PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) assault on a 14-year-old boy this week should answer that question. John BlockFri, 29 Mar 2013 12:52:00 GMT29775http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/turn_the_page_on_these_issues/What to talk about today? I don’t know. Let’s start with horse slaughter. John BlockThu, 04 Apr 2013 12:10:00 GMT29832http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/a_hard_look_at_budgets/At long last, the U.S. debt is front and center in the spotlight. John BlockTue, 16 Apr 2013 01:12:00 GMT29919http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/the_issue_of_herd_health/Congress is working to reauthorize the Animal Drug User Fee Act. This has revived a longstanding dispute over the use of drugs in raising and treating animals. John BlockThu, 25 Apr 2013 14:34:00 GMT30008http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/farm_bill_fiasco_/For more than a year now, the Congress has worked on a new farm bill, in fits and starts, but has never been able to get it together. John BlockFri, 03 May 2013 13:32:00 GMT30071http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/let’s_talk_big_issues/This week, I want to focus on a series of current issues. These are my thoughts.John BlockWed, 08 May 2013 15:03:00 GMT30108http://www.agweb.com/usfr/blog/john_block_reports_from_washington/tales_of_a_wet_spring/Last week, I was down on the farm in Illinois. I had hoped to watch the corn planter crossing the field – back and forth, back and forth. But, it didn’t happen.John BlockThu, 16 May 2013 14:33:00 GMT30180