Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer is well known to Pro Farmer Members for his long tenure as Washington Bureau Chief for Pro Farmer. Now with agricultural consulting firm Informa Economics, formerly Sparks Companies, Inc., he is still offering his expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics as a consultant to Pro Farmer. His Inside Washington Today column on AgWeb.com is a must-read item to keep up with the latest in Washington developments.

Latest Stories
Grain Bins
Politics
If This Tax Provision Expires, Total Federal Estate Taxes for Farm Estates Would Double to $1.2 Billion
The 2017 Tax Act temporarily raises estate tax exemption, impacting farm estates. If it expires, large farms with gross cash income between $1M and $5M would see the largest increase, rising from 2.8% to 7.3%.
March 06, 2024 09:14 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Drought cows
Politics
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.
December 07, 2023 09:19 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Bank Security
Taxes and Finance
High Interest Rates Are Already Impacting Farmers, And It’s Coming at the Expense of Ag Loans
Farmers are opting to tap into their savings from recent prosperous years instead of taking out loans at the highest interest rates since 2007, according to surveys conducted by regional Federal Reserve banks.
October 20, 2023 09:50 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
President Biden's USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.
Politics
USDA’s CRP Payments Reach $1.77 Billion in 2023, Iowa Easily Tops the List of States Receiving the Most Money
USDA has allocated more than $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through CRP. Since 2021, the CRP has witnessed a 21% increase in enrolled acres.
October 17, 2023 04:54 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
US-Europe-Tariffs
Politics
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.
October 16, 2023 12:11 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Gregg Doud's negotiations with China’s vice minister of agriculture on an agricultural trade agreement included 33 sessions over the course of a year.
Politics
Trade Relations Between the U.S. and China Just Got Even More Complicated
China’s Commerce minister expressed concerns over trade and tech restrictions to U.S. Senate Majority Leader this week. That’s as the U.S. Commerce Department added 42 more Chinese companies to the export blacklist.
October 10, 2023 02:28 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Congress
Politics
Hamas-Israel War Gets U.S. Lawmakers’ Attention; May Impact House Speakership Vote
The attack on Israel by Hamas adds urgency to GOP efforts to elect a new House speaker. The need to focus on Israel may help get a House GOP leadership decision this week, several lawmakers said.
October 09, 2023 08:45 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
A crater is seen at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova
Politics
Missile Strike by Russia Now Considered One of the Deadliest Attacks On Civilians Since the War Started
A Russian missile strike on Thursday hit eastern Ukraine, now considered one of the deadliest since the war started. Russia also attacked grain storage in the Odesa region, damaging a grain silo near the Danube River.
October 06, 2023 01:36 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Congress. Photo: Philip, Adobe Stock
Politics
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.
October 02, 2023 09:47 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Politics
How Will A Looming Government Shutdown Impact Agriculture?
When the House and Senate returns on Tuesday, lawmakers will have just five days left to avoid a shutdown, which would impact several USDA services, including key reports.
September 25, 2023 01:01 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
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