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
Little Lost River Ranch
Politics
Senators Press EPA Administrator Regan on WOTUS Rule
“We recognize the Sackett case will have an impact on the rule,” Regan said. “But we didn’t want to wait on the Supreme Court until June to start a two-year process, which would have left producers in limbo.”
March 23, 2023 02:52 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Meanwhile, service prices and the core index (which excludes food and energy) remain high, with the core CPI descending to 4.8%.
Politics
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.”
March 22, 2023 12:54 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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.
Politics
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.
March 17, 2023 11:00 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The Biden team argues that frameworks are better and faster for meeting current challenges than deals that involve broad tariff negotiations and can take years.
Politics
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.).
March 14, 2023 03:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
cover crops and residue
Politics
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.
March 02, 2023 05:01 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
“There’s no question of the law, science or anything. They’re simply not doing their job,” says Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director.
Politics
US Ethanol Industry Again Loses by Winning
Remember when Trump was president and he tried to find a “win-win” regarding ethanol policy? In the end, neither side was satisfied. That again is the case with EPA’s year-round E15 sale announcement on Wednesday.
March 02, 2023 03:45 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
American red shipping cargo container on a white background.
Politics
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.
March 01, 2023 12:45 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Photo Credit: Farm Journal
Politics
8 State Requests for Year-Round E15 Reviewed by US Budget Office
Without the Office of Management and Budget approval, states will be unable to sell E15 fuel in the summer months.
February 27, 2023 02:03 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Young Corn By Lindsey Pound
Politics
Vilsack Signals USMCA Case is Coming on GMO Corn Situation in Mexico
The U.S. appears to be pursuing a case via USMCA on the matter: “That is going to happen, because we’re essentially in a circumstance where this is not a situation that lends itself to a compromise,” Vilsack said.
February 24, 2023 10:53 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Money, U.S. dollars
Politics
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
February 16, 2023 12:57 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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