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
The Senate also rejected an amendment proposed by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), which would have reinstated service members removed exclusively for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Politics
Senate Clears Annual Defense Policy, Pushing $858 Billion to Military
The combined measure includes an in the Pentagon’s budget, military personnel raises, Ukraine and Taiwan aid, as well as $1 billion to resupply the nation’s defense stockpile.
December 16, 2022 03:20 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
“We intend not to be back here between Christmas and New Year’s, and if we can’t meet that deadline, we would be happy to pass a short-term CR into early next year,” said McConnell.
Politics
Congress Finally Reports Progress in the Omnibus Spending Bill
The agreement will allow lawmakers to spend the coming week hashing out specific spending levels for each federal agency as well as what legislative items they will attach to the bill, likely including ag aid.
December 14, 2022 02:45 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The latest shift includes the country will stop counting asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 as high numbers of such patients were no longer taking part in testing.
Politics
China to Hold Economic, COVID-19 Policy Meetings this Week, Following an Ease on Restrictions
“There is a problem with people thinking the pullback of Covid-zero measures is equivalent to the economy reopening, which it is not.” says Leland Miller, CEO of research firm China Beige Book.
December 14, 2022 12:58 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Railroad - Lindsey Pound
Politics
Shippers Note ‘Notoriously Difficult’ Railroads During Latest Hearing
Shippers urged the U.S. railroad regulator to create more competition in the industry during hearings in which Union Pacific was called to explain a spike in service restrictions.
December 14, 2022 09:00 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
corn in truck
Politics
Mexico Signals New Decree is Coming for GMO Corn Imports
Mexican Secretary of Economy Raquel Buenrostro told reporters in Mexico Wednesday the decree to bar imports of GMO crops into Mexico will be pushed back to 2025.
December 08, 2022 09:00 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Wind turbines - Illinois - Corn Field - Lindsey Pound
Politics
Dept. of Interior Scopes Out New Solar Locations in the West Amid Off-Shore Wind Lease Auction
International Energy Agency sees an extra 2,400 gigawatts of capacity coming online worldwide over the next five years, with renewables surpassing coal as the largest source of global power generation by 2025.
December 07, 2022 02:25 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Vote
Politics
Georgia Runoff Today Will Settle Last U.S. Senate Seat
Georgia voters today will decide the final Senate contest in the country, choosing between Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.
December 06, 2022 01:30 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Renewable diesel consumption in the U.S. hit 28 million barrels in 2021, according to the Energy Information Administration. California burned up 99% to that consumption rate.
Politics
Why Did EPA Use Old Data on Renewable Diesel Ahead of RFS Announcement?
Renewable diesel capacity topped 2 billion gallons per year as of August, according to the latest data released from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But EPA used a lower figure.
December 05, 2022 01:18 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan
Politics
U.S./EU Spark a Trade Spat Over Limitations in the Inflation Reduction Act
Europeans argue that the act is a beggar-thy-neighbor scheme designed to lure investors away from Europe, just as the region’s economy teeters on the verge of recession.
December 05, 2022 11:30 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
China flag by Canva.com
Politics
China Gives Signal it May Adjust its Stringent Zero-COVID Policy, Sparking New Wave of Protests
The top official in charge of China’s COVID-19 response told health officials Wednesday that the country faced a “new stage and mission” in pandemic controls.
December 02, 2022 03:12 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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