Agriculture Policy News
From federal agencies to state governments, actions taken by elected officials and policymakers have a direct impact on America’s farmers and ranchers. Stay up-to-date on all things related to policy, including cabinet leadership, the farm bill, farmer-support programs, market access, environmental regulations, labor availability and the health of the ag economy.
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Latest Agriculture Policy News
A nomination for undersecretary of Agriculture for research, education and economics doesn’t typically draw much controversy.
The Trump administration is considering a policy change that could allow an extra billion gallons or more of biofuel each year to qualify toward a U.S. mandate, lowering costs for refiners at the expense of ethanol producers, according to people briefed on the discussions.
Safety net payments are rolling from the USDA, and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue says he hopes the money will help farmers that are facing tough times this year.
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue gave his official nod to Greg Ibach and Bill Northey, recommending them for positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “These two nominees will bring experience and integrity to USDA the moment they walk in the door,” Perdue said in a prepared statement. Ibach was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and Northey for the position of Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Greg Ibach serves as the Nebraska Director of Agriculture, while Northey is the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. The two candidates must be approved by the U.S. Senate in order to step into the USDA positions. Perdue said he looks forward to “their speedy passage through the committee and floor votes” and urged the Senate to “act on other nominees awaiting approval as well.”
A law requiring foreign investors to report transactions of farmland to the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been on the books for almost 40 years. But as the amount of foreign-controlled farmland doubled in millions of acres between 2004 and 2014, the USDA has lapsed in enforcing the law, a review of USDA documents has found.
Corn and soybean stocks are both up from this time last year, per USDA’s Sept. 29 Grain Stocks report.
USDA’s Crop Progress report shows 34% of the corn crop has reached maturity.
After two years of weaker exports of farm goods, it is appearing as though 2017 will push higher.
Shipments above new limit may be held back for more cleaning.
Today, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that Tony Tooke will become the new Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tooke, who grew up on a 200-acre farm outside Detroit, Ala., has been with the Forest Service since he was 18.