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
Congress
Politics
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Overtakes Other Washington Issues as Congress Returns this Week
Congress returns Monday, but to a very different situation due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is expected to be one of the key issues President Biden talks about during his State of the Union address.
February 28, 2022 10:41 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
This custom blend option allows growers to combine the superior Pythium protection Vayantis provides with other seed treatments, creating tailor-made solutions specific to their fields’ challenges.
Wheat
Grain Markets Rattled by Threat of War Between Russia and Ukraine, Driving Wheat Prices Higher
Mounting conflict in the breadbasket of Europe is driving volatility in wheat markets as Russia and Ukraine account for 29% of global wheat exports.
February 01, 2022 11:11 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
On Monday the People’s Bank of China also announced a 0.1 percentage point cut to two of its key policy rates. It acted after GDP grew by more than 8% in 2021, but slowed down in the fourth quarter, with growth of just 4% compared to the same period in 2020.
Politics
China’s Central Bank Cut Rates for First Time in Two Years
On Monday the People’s Bank of China also announced a 0.1 percentage point cut to two of its key policy rates. It acted after GDP grew by more than 8% in 2021, but slowed down in the fourth quarter.
January 18, 2022 08:12 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Senate leadership’s timeline for the BBB proposal is just before Christmas, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin is calling for a “strategic pause” for the vote, delaying it into 2022.
Politics
CBO Report Shows True Cost of Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Plan Closer to $5T
Senate leadership’s timeline for the BBB proposal is just before Christmas, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin is calling for a strategic pause for the vote, delaying it into 2022.
December 13, 2021 09:08 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Pig farm at sunset
Taxes and Finance
USDA Significantly Boosts Net Farm Income Forecast, Highest Since 2013
Net cash farm income, which tracks producers’ cash flow, is forecast by USDA at $134.7B for 2021. That number is up $6.4B from February’s forecast and would be an increase of 21.5% from 2020’s $110.9B.
September 03, 2021 01:00 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
We’re looking for updates on grain exports and updates on Argentina and Brazil production when the USDA releases its March 2023 report.
Politics
USDA Finally Announces QLA, WHIP+ Details
More than $1 billion in payments will be released over the next several weeks for producers with approved applications for the QLA Program and for producers who have already received payments through WHIP+.
June 24, 2021 01:54 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
“Food inflation has definitely started to slow down, and this is good news for consumers. However, it still won’t be cheaper to celebrate the Fourth of July this year,” says Dr. Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo Chief Agricultural Economist.
Beef
Vilsack Goes on Offense Re: Errant Meat Consumption Reports
Secretary Vilsack flatly denied there is any effort by President Biden to reduce meat consumption to meet proposed cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. “Sometimes in the political world, games get played,” he said.
April 27, 2021 02:30 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
CRP-ground-rotator.JPG
Politics
Vilsack: Biden’s 30x30 Goal is ‘Not a Land Grab’
On a day when U.S. corn futures went limit-up on supply and demand concerns, Washington talked about idling millions of additional lands via various programs.
April 23, 2021 04:04 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
News
Brazil Soybean Growers Focus on U.S. Crop Insurance Program
Brazil’s soybean growers association, APROSOJA, has reportedly requested that their government consider filing a WTO case against the U.S. soybean crop insurance program.
November 18, 2020 09:57 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
$100 Ideas
U of Illinois Authors: No ‘Smoking Gun’ Found in Study of USDA Reports
Study offers suggestions for the future, but no evidence why traders have badly missed some USDA data
November 17, 2020 07:35 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Load More