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.

Latest Stories

Politics

‘Red Wave’ of Voters Did Not Happen: Why Were Poll Predictions So Far Off the Mark?

What caused the polls to shift away from the predicted ‘red wave’ many had suggested? It comes down to multiple factors, including abortion, Trump and voter turnout.

November 09, 2022 05:51 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Biden was triumphant on Sunday after Democrats cemented control of the Senate and said the result meant he was going into his meeting with Xi in Bali on Monday "stronger."

Politics

China Looks to Move Away from Strict COVID-19 Restrictions as Imports, Exports Slow

Chinese leaders are considering steps toward reopening after nearly three years of tough pandemic restrictions. The news comes as China’s imports and exports slow on rising risks of a global recession.

November 08, 2022 04:22 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Politics

Mexico to Proceed with GMO Corn Ban

Mexico says it is on track to halve its U.S. imports of yellow corn and will look to make direct deals with farmers in the U.S., Argentina and Brazil who produce non-GMO corn to secure the remaining supplies.

October 28, 2022 11:18 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Gas pump nozzle, Somerville, Massachusetts

Politics

Saudi Arabia Accuses Unnamed Countries of Using Emergency Oil Reserves to Manipulate Markets

U.S. officials are bracing for another potential oil price surge in December, if a European embargo on Russian oil goes into effect and the Saudis refuse to increase production to make up for the drop in oil supply.

October 26, 2022 11:00 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Weather

Florida’s Hurricane Ian Losses Total Over $1 Billion

Nikki Fried, Florida commissioner of ag, says the preliminary assessment is a “first step” in trying to get federal disaster aid for affected producers.

October 25, 2022 03:14 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Politics

U.S. Diesel Crisis Lingers as Europe Prepares for Russian Oil Ban

Global diesel and distillate fuel stocks have fallen to dangerous levels and the U.S. has been exporting a lot of diesel to Europe and Latin America, but now things are changing.

October 24, 2022 01:37 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Politics

Ukraine Ag Export Numbers Have Recovered to Prewar Levels

Data from Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food shows the country shipped 6.9 million metric tons of grain, vegetables and edible oils last month, nearly matching the 7.1 million tons exported in Sept. 2021.

October 20, 2022 02:46 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

It's the final tranche of oil from a program the White House began earlier this year, and it plans to replenish the emergency stockpile by purchasing barrels of West Texas Intermediate crude when prices are at or below $67 to $72 per barrel.

Politics

Biden to Tap Final 15 Million Barrels of Oil Reserves, but Could Go Further

The 15 million barrels from the country’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) are the final part of a 180-million-barrel release announced in March and does not constitute a further release.

October 19, 2022 01:16 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

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

Jim Wiesemeyer

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

Jim Wiesemeyer