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
Dredging by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been helpful to keep the traffic flowing, but new challenging spots can surface any day.
Crop Production
New Supply Chain Setbacks: Mississippi River Levels Hit All-Time Low
“The low water disruption will be felt not only by our U.S. producers of food, farm, and fiber but also by U.S. and international consumers as well,” says Friedmann of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition.
October 18, 2022 06:12 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farmland
Politics
USDA Requests Comments on Aid to Producers Discriminated in Farm Lending Programs
USDA seeks input on how to identify those who experienced discrimination and what kind of evidence should be submitted to back up the claims.
October 17, 2022 09:09 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
zippy duvall afbf
Politics
Farm Bureau Seeks ‘Unified’ Farm Bill of Ag and Nutrition Aid
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its general new farm bill recommendations on Thursday. First on the AFBF’s list: “protect farm bill program spending.”
October 14, 2022 02:35 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who filed suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, likened the situation to the loss of assistance to Black farmers after the Civil War.
Politics
Minority Farmers Sue Over Repeal of the Debt Relief Program
The Virginia farmers filing the suit allege repeal of the debt relief effort is a breach of contract by the government, arguing some farmers made financial plans based on the expectation of getting debt relief.
October 13, 2022 01:28 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Inflation Money Retail Gas Pump
Politics
IMF Anticipates Global Inflation Will Peak in Late 2022
Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast.
October 11, 2022 01:10 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Joe Biden
Politics
Biden Mulls Options After OPEC+ Moves to Cut Oil Output
OPEC+’s decision to slash oil production has the White House considering measures aimed at breaking the cartel’s hold on markets or limiting U.S. oil exports should shortages emerge.
October 07, 2022 02:01 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Winding River Ranch
Politics
Expect New WOTUS Testing Rules by the End of 2022, According to Government Lawyer
By the end of the year, the Biden administration is expected to issue new rules that Government Lawyer Brian Fletcher told the court will “provide greater clarity to the regulated public on all parts of the test.”
October 05, 2022 04:56 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
“We’re not going to negotiate on this,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre reiterated to reporters Tuesday, insisting that the debt limit will be raised “without conditions.”
Politics
$670 Million Awarded by USDA to Farm, Meatpacking and Grocery Workers for their ‘Essential Role’ in U.S. Food Systems During Pandemic
USDA says the organizations were selected for their proven track records working with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery workers. The funds amount to $600 per person and will be dispersed in the fall.
October 05, 2022 02:37 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Some farmers say the plan could force them to use less fertilizer and reduce crop yields, which would impair Canada’s ability to ease a global food crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.
Politics
New Policy Forces Canadian Producers to Cut Back on Fertilizer
Farmers who don’t comply with the recommendations won’t face any consequences, said the spokeswoman for the ag department. They would, however, forgo financial aid and grants the government made available to farmers.
October 05, 2022 01:44 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Russia, Ukraine
Politics
New Information Shows the War in Ukraine Could Have Been Prevented
Satellite imagery, communications intercepts and human intelligence proving Russia had plans to invade Ukraine was presented to U.S. officials in Oct. 2021. When briefed to NATO allies, some thought it was bogus.
October 05, 2022 01:44 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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