Policy
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer says the Senate Farm Bill text includes some big differences compared to the House bill especially when it comes to ARC and PLC programs and modernizing reference prices.
Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow finally released the full text of the Senate farm bill on Monday, but it’s already drawing intense criticism. Even usually optimistic House Ag Chair GT Thompson signaled it’s time to focus on a 2018 farm bill extension by year’s end.
Threats of widespread tariffs and concerns about retaliation continue to stoke uneasiness in agriculture. With a growing trade deficit and hopes the U.S. could re-embark on the Phase One trade deal with China, could the focus back on trade be positive for agriculture?
The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, which builds on the proposal Stabenow released in May, includes $39 billion in new resources “to keep farmers farming, families fed and rural communities strong.”
As the list continues to evolve, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly playing an active role in the cabinet selection.
With the election now in the rearview mirror, Washington D.C. ag economist John Newton joins Tyne and Clinton on Unscripted to talk about the road ahead for ag producers.
Ag industry groups recognize the crucial role that immigrant workers play in the U.S. food system. They emphasize that these workers often take on physically demanding jobs that many American-born workers are unwilling to do.
Tariffs, while disruptive, are often used as leverage in trade disputes and contribute to market volatility.
“The agricultural economy is inherently cyclical, and ag lenders are navigating the changing conditions across the sectors they serve,” said Jackson Takach, chief economist of Farmer Mac.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) wins Majority Leader race. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was eliminated on the first ballot. And Thune beat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) 29-24 on the second ballot.
Trump stated that Zeldin would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions” to “unleash the power of American businesses.” The administration aims to maintain “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet” while pursuing deregulation.
Financial Times reports say President-elect Donald Trump has asked Robert Lightizer to return as U.S. trade representative.
Now that the election results are in, the parlor game of who President-elect Donald Trump will tap to serve on his Cabinet has returned, and there’s a host of possibilities.
Biden-era clean energy subsidies would likely survive, but a reduction in offshore wind leasing is likely.
A “no” vote means the state law in question would be rejected, and that raises fresh questions about the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline and similar projects.
Trump garnered even stronger support in rural America versus his still robust rural vote in this first administration. That is likely a backlash against the ag policy moves of the Biden/Harris administration that focused on underserved and minority rural citizens.
China braces for continued superpower rivalry regardless of the U.S. election outcome.
Yes, the Fed is cutting interest rates but the agency can only influence mid- and long-term rates. Concerns about inflation are pushing those rates back up again.
Which Presidential Candidate Is More Likely to Tame Inflation or Support Farm Policies and Biofuels?
Ahead of the election, the October Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked economists which presidential candidate will be better for agriculture on taming inflation, providing more certainty on farm policy, as well as more likely to support biofuels policies.
The race tightened over the weekend as the Des Moines Register’s final presidential poll shockingly had Harris up three points in the state, underscoring that the election will be closer than current market expectations
The October Monthly Monitor reflects cautious optimism in certain areas of agriculture, marked by export strengths and potential price recoveries, but shadowed by long-term rebuilding challenges, weather dependencies and the impact of the upcoming election.
USDA will issue $1.7 billion through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and CRP Transition Incentive Program (CRP TIP). USDA will also distribute more than $447 million in ARC and PLC payments related to 2023 crops.
There is still uncertainty about whether the guidance for the 45Z credit will be available before the credit takes effect. This could potentially create challenges for producers planning to claim the credit in early 2025.
As agriculture faces multiple challenges, USDA’s latest net farm income forecast is masking the reality for farmers. While livestock margins have improved for 2024, high input costs and below breakeven prices for row crops means margins could be the worst in nearly 20 years.
Farmers and lawmakers are focused on disaster relief, economic aid and completing the farm bill.
Based on a farmer poll and the Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, farmers and economists differ on whether Harris or Trump would be better for agriculture, particularly when it comes to trade.
These actions are part of the Biden/Harris administration’s efforts to open new markets for farmers, provide more competitive choices, lower food costs for consumers and support small businesses and family farms
The group of terminal operators and ocean container lines said their new offer would increase wages by nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to union retirement plans, strengthen health care options, and retain the current language around automation and semi-automation.
Grain terminal workers at the Port of Vancouver started returning to work on Sept. 28 following a tentative agreement to end a four-day strike that disrupted crop exports during the critical harvest season.
In response to John Deere’s recent announcement about moving some of its production to Mexico, Trump expressed concern about the impact on American workers, stating, “It’s hurting our country. It’s hurting our workers.”