Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer was a Pro Farmer contributor as the Washington Bureau Chief. His columns provided expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics.

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Some 44% of U.S. soybean oil will go to biofuels during the current marketing year, said the monthly WASDE report. Two years ago, the biofuel share of soyoil consumption was 37%.
Non-tariff barriers “are real and can be more significant hurdles than tariffs,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says.
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.”
Exports of U.S. ethanol could increase by over 80 million gallons annually, representing an additional $150-200 million in exports each year.
The expansion would add 1,255 counties for soybeans and 1,729 counties for corn, making the coverage available in 22 states for soybeans with 34 states being covered in total.
While U.S. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production reached 15.8 million gallons in 2022, it falls well below the previous goal for U.S. airlines to use 1 billion gallons per year by 2018.
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.
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.
“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.”
A resolution introduced Tuesday would support the “preservation” of the rule and “oppose efforts to impose new taxes on family farms or small businesses.”