Farm Journal Pulse

Election Guide: What The Election Means for Farmers and Ranchers

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 02:32:15 GMT

Election Analysis: Time for Bi-Partisanship?
Karla Thieman of The Russell Group joins us to talk about the election, the need for bi-partisanship, chances of a new aid package before the new year, and potential USDA secretary candidates under a Biden administration.

Pro Farmer’s Jim Wiesemeyer talks changes to ag policy under Biden
The Packer’s Tom Karst visited Nov. 16 with Jim Wiesemeyer, policy analyst with Pro Farmer about the November elections and what is ahead for agricultural policy in a Democratic administration. Watch here.

Ag And Food Groups Unveil Climate Policy Platform
As former Vice President Joe Biden prepares to address climate change across every federal agency in a new administration, a coalition of ag, food and environment groups is laying out a framework for how agriculture can address climate and sustainability. Watch here.

All Eyes on Georgia
AgriTalk host Chip Flory, newsman Davis Michaelsen, Farm Journal news director John Herath, Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, and Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discuss the presidential and senate runoff races and run through the list of potential Secretary of Agriculture candidates.

Signal to Noise: Post Election Analysis
In this week’s DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Pro Farmers’s Jim Wiesemeyer and John Herath of Farm Journal look at the key outcomes of the Nov. 3 election and how the election will impact agriculture. The analysis includes a look at who might fill key ag positions in a new administration and new Congress and the outlook for coronavirus aid in a lame duck session.

What a Biden Administration Ag Policy Might Look Like
Delaware secretary of agriculture Michael Scuse joins Chip Flory on AgriTalk to provide some insight into what a Biden administration ag policy might look like, including carbon sequestration and climate change. Listen here:

Who Will Biden Tap for Secretary of Agriculture?
Pro Farmer’s Jim Wiesemeyer offers insights on AgDay.

Does a split Congress reduce the chance of wholesale changes in tax policy?
AgriTalk’s Chip Flory discusses the future with Farm CPA Paul Neiffer.

Election 2020: Who Should Ag Choose?

Read commentaries from former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack; Sid Miller, Texas Department of Agriculture; and from farmers on both sides. Check them out here.

After the Election: What’s Next for U.S. Agriculture?
Join Chip Flory, host of “AgriTalk,” as he leads a panel of farmers and ranchers in a discussion about the Nov. 3 election and its impact on U.S. agriculture.

Farm Journal Pulse Poll
In Campaign Home Stretch, Trump Holds Lock on Farm Vote. Read the complete analysis here .

Biden to Nominate Vilsack for Return to USDA

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 02:32:09 GMT

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for agriculture secretary, according to two sources familiar with the decision.

Vilsack, who led the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under former President Barack Obama, has a long relationship with Biden and served as a trusted adviser on rural issues during his campaign.

Vilsack’s return to the USDA is likely to be applauded by Midwestern states that produce the bulk of commodity crops like corn, soybeans and wheat, and prefer him to someone from another region of the country.

His spokeswoman, Regina Black, declined to comment “as an official announcement hasn’t been made.” The Biden transition office did not respond to a requests for comment on the choice.

The Farm Belt was battered by President Donald Trump’s trade war with China and waivers that exempted oil refiners from obligations to use corn-based ethanol. But Midwestern farmers also received an unprecedented amount of direct farm subsidies under Trump even as coronavirus stimulus for millions of other Americans stalled in Congress.

Vilsack is the chief executive of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and actively campaigned for Biden in farm states.

Iowa governor from 1999 to 2007, he is seen by establishment Democrats as a politically safe choice, largely because of his moderate politics, previous experience, and long-standing, friendly relationships with large-scale farmers.

A coalition of progressive food, farming and environmental advocacy groups promoted rival candidates.

Top among them was Democratic U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge of Ohio, who would have been the first Black woman to fill the role and had been expected to increase the department’s focus on small farmers, global environmental changes, and racial and economic diversity.

Biden has selected Fudge to be secretary of housing and urban development, Politico reported.

What Do Biden’s Climate Policies Mean for Agriculture?

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:35:55 GMT

What farmers think about Biden’s goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030? In an April 27 Farm Journal Pulse poll, we asked:

“President Biden released a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. For agriculture, this will be:”

Here’s how the 976 respondents answered:

4%—Positive, creating new revenue
72%—Negative, creating new regulation
14%—Positive and negative
1%—Neutral—will not impact agriculture
9%—Don’t know

Want to share your feedback? Text “Pulse” to 31313 to join the Farm Journal Pulse audience.

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Farmers Reality Check Carbon Markets

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 14:03:44 GMT

Carbon markets have often been described as the Wild West. What do farmers want to know before they make a decision to sign on the dotted line? In a March Farm Journal Pulse Poll, we asked:

“What is the biggest reason why you would NOT participate in a carbon market?”

Here’s how respondents answered:

15% Payment not worth the effort

9% Carbon markets aren’t developed enough

7% Not enough benefit for farmers

5% Don’t want to share my data

64% I need more information I can trust

In the recent Farm Country Update, “ The Three Biggest Trends in Carbon Markets ,” Oregon livestock producer Kelley Delpit said producers should ask themselves these questions to make a decision.

• What’s your motivation entering into carbon markets and transitioning to regenerative practices?

• What benefits do you hope to accrue? Is it financial, improving soil health, improving livestock weights or another metric?

• How are you prepared to adapt your existing practices to implement regenerative practices?

• What local support network exists—such as state and federal agencies, local NGOs, universities, and other producers—to help guide you through your transition?

Now it’s your turn to sound off!

What questions do you have about carbon markets?

Would you sign up for a carbon program?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more:

Bayer Says Farmers Using Conservation Practices Since 2012 Might Qualify For Its 2021-22 Carbon Program

3 Webinars to Learn More About Carbon Markets

Job Approval Pulse Poll Shows Biden Has Big Hill to Climb with Ag

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 16:04:57 GMT

Respondents to the Farm Journal Pulse poll, who had shown a strong affinity to Donald Trump, now say they strongly disapprove of the job so far by President Joe Biden.

Of the 1,459 respondents, 75% said they strongly disapprove of Biden’s job so far as president. Only 9% strongly approve while 5% somewhat approve.

The Farm Journal Pulse is sent via text to approximately 5,000 farmers, ranchers and others involved in agriculture.

“We’re not focusing on anything of substance,” said farmer Casey Schumacher of Nebraska on the AgriTalk Radio Show. “We went from impeachment No. 2 to now a $1.9 trillion giveaway full of pork. It was very short-sighted to use reconciliation on this $1.9 trillion stimulus deal. If he would have went for the infrastructure, I think maybe you would have seen a turn, but it’s just going back to same old Washington, I think is people’s thoughts.”

Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer agreed that pushing through a stimulus bill with no expected Republican votes is driving the ag sentiment reflected in the Pulse poll.

“He campaigned on bipartisanship but it looks like they’re governing on partisanship, to be fair, and I think that’s reflected in that poll,” he said.

A year ago, 83% of Pulse respondents said they strongly approve or somewhat approve of the job performance of then President Donald Trump.

Pulse: Farmers Eye Equipment Purchases

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 20:37:52 GMT

Santa just might bring a present that doesn’t fit under the Christmas tree this year. A Dec. 9 Pulse Poll asked how many farmers were buying equipment before the door closes on 2020.

Do you plan to make any equipment purchases before the end of the year?

Yes — 32%
No — 68%

Responses: 887

Looking to make a big purchase? Don’t miss the chance to check out advice from Machinery Pete during the Farm Journal Field Days Equipment Edition. New on-demand content is live now through Dec. 22.

Login or register for free at FarmJournalFieldDays.com .

Check out these must-watch sessions: experts, trends and guides

• A New Model for the Farm Equipment Business: Join this discussion as we talk to a newly formed multi-store dealership in the southern Plains.

• Ask Machinery Pete: Have your machinery questions answered by the one and only Greg Peterson.

• Top Trends in Used Machinery: Peterson shares his top takeaways from the used machinery market for the months ahead. Key drivers in values have shaped up to be age, condition, warranty and personalization.

• The Hottest Segments in Machinery: The IRS Section 179 tax deduction and related incentives are like gas cans next to a box of matches. As we near the final days of 2020, Peterson will dive into the top farm equipment categories and how farmers should position their purchases.

• Tools That Do The Trick: It is winter maintenance season for equipment on the farm. We have the ultimate guide for the must-have tools for your shop, toolbox and truck.

• 5 Tips to Maximize Resale Value: This guide provides best practices for how to sell your farm machinery for maximum value.

Login or register for free at FarmJournalFieldDays.com .

The Good News from the 2020 Election

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 20:43:17 GMT

The election did not turn out as pollsters projected. The closer-than-expected margins in the presidential race and a nearly evenly split Congress was not expected prior to Nov. 3. The outcome changes the landscape, especially for ag issues.

Rural Votes Pushed Back Against the 2018 “Blue Wave”

Political pundits expected the “blue wave” from the 2018 midterm elections to continue, giving democrats control of the White House, House and Senate. Rural voters who turned out for Donald Trump reversed that wave in 2020, giving republicans gains in the House, likely maintaining a slight edge in the Senate and producing republican gains in state races, according to Karla Thieman of The Russell Group, a food and agriculture focused government affairs firm.

“The 2018 wave did not last this time, and the reason they weren’t able to get re-elected is in large part, at least based on the data I’ve seen, due to the number of rural voters who turned out for Donald Trump this time,” Thieman says.

Tax Fears Mitigated For Farmers

As a candidate, Joe Biden put forward a tax plan that would have removed exemptions for the estate tax and ended stepped up basis when assets are transferred at death. A republican-controlled or an evenly split Senate greatly reduces the likelihood those tax changes will be put forward.

“From a tax perspective I think that’s the best result we can have,” says Paul Neiffer, CPA and partner with CLA. “We have a very tight margin in the House and still a slightly republican Senate. I’m not too worried about farmers having a big increase in taxes, at least for the next couple of years.”

Biden Administration Will Push Forward on China

The Biden administration is already signaling it will press China to enforce the phase-one trade agreement and expand the deal to address issues such as protection of intellectual property. Delaware Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse, who has worked closely with Biden on ag issues for decades, expects Biden to keep tariffs in place but work to reduce trade volatility.

“The President-elect understands 20% of agricultural income is directly related to trade,” he says.

Scuse expects the new administration to enforce the phase-one agreement so U.S. exports to China can exceed previous levels of around $25 billion and hit $35 billion to $40 billion.

Senate Iron Man, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Sidelined by COVID Exposure

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:59:43 GMT

Update: Senator Grassley confirmed Tuesday evening that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Since 1993, each of the 8,927 times the Senate has been called to vote, Iowa’s Chuck Grassley has been in the chamber to cast a vote on behalf of Iowans. That record streak came to an end Tuesday as the Senator awaited COVID-19 test results following a possible exposure to the virus. That last missed vote in 1993 came as Grassley toured flooded areas of Iowa with President Bill Clinton.

Grassley announced earlier Tuesday that he had been exposed to the virus and was quarantining under his doctor’s orders as he awaited test results. He said he is not experiencing symptoms.

“I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to vote today in the Senate, but the health of others is more important than any record. My voting streak reflects how seriously I take my commitment to represent Iowans. Choosing not to potentially expose others to this deadly virus is obviously the right and responsible thing to do,” Grassley said. “While I await the results of my coronavirus test, I’m continuing to work for Iowans from home. After my quarantine ends, I’ll be back in the Senate to represent Iowans and vote on their behalf. I urge my fellow Iowans and all Americans to follow public health guidelines for their own sake and for the sake of their friends, families and communities.”

The missed vote was a cloture motion on the nomination of Judy Shelton to the board of the Federal Reserve. The vote failed, preventing the nomination from moving to a final vote in the Senate.

Grassley broke the Senate voting streak record in 2016, according to a release from the Senator’s office. The record was previously held by former Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire.