Latest News From POLICY

Infuriating price increases are the topic of the day, and but like the 80’s, rising inflation is driven largely by energy and the price of oil. It's now less about the supply of oil, and more about refining capacity.

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh remained optimistic about contract negotiations between workers and shipping companies for some of the country’s most important ports, even as talks extend past a previous deadline.

With talk about a food shortage, U.S. farmers are focused on growing a large crop this year, despite challenges from Mother Nature. However, the truth is 90% of the corn growing across the U.S. isn't used for food.

President Biden says he has not made a decision yet on whether to lift some of the $370 billion of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by the Trump Administration.

Over the next year, provincial governments are supposed to come up with specific plans to reduce nitrogen. It is important for policymakers and the public to hear farmers so they know that ag is part of the solution.

The Justice Department failed in its third attempt at prosecution of chicken industry executives for price-fixing and bid rigging.

ProFarmer’s Brian Grete says these market dips coming out of Independence Day weekend generally set the tone for the weeks to come.

Nine farmers signed the the Declaration of Independence. One who isn't listed in the National Archives could also be categorized as one of the Founding Fathers who gave virtually all for the cause of independence

Terry Buckler, a Missouri farm kid, shares the story of his time as a Green Beret and the historic raid on Son Tay prison in Vietnam.

“Capping carbon dioxide emissions at a level that will force a nationwide transition away from the use of coal to generate electricity may be a sensible solution to the crisis of the day,” says Chief Justice Roberts.

NCGA sees the new labeling requirements as a way to “impose arduous new restrictions and mitigation measures on the herbicide, limiting how much of the product farmers use.”

USDA's June Grain Stocks report shows 2.12 billion bushels of corn are currently being stored on farm, up 22% from a year ago. On-farm soybean storage is up 51%.

Soybean acres are estimated at 88.3 million, up 1% from last year. This is down from March’s estimate of 90.955 million and below the pre-report trade average of 90.446 million.

Bottlenecks along U.S. railways are growing more severe. Not only are feed users on the West Coast on the brink of running out of grain, but there are also concerns the rail issues could grow worse during harvest.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (formerly WHIP+), representing 67% of the $6 billion projected to be paid.

As countries close down operating nuclear power plants, John Phipps says it's clear the decision to overstate the minuscule risks- and assume greener power sources would be there to replace them -was wildly inaccurate.

Venture Global penned an agreement to supply a German company, EnBW, with natural gas. Policy analysts say the deal will put pressure on the U.S. government to establish export restrictions amid rising gas costs.

The move is contingent on legislative action, which would temporarily lift the 18.3 cents tax per gallon on gasoline and 24 cents tax per gallon on diesel during the summer months.

Bayer has argued that the cancer claims over Roundup and glyphosate go against sound science and product clearance from the EPA.

The U.S. government filed a brief to the Supreme Court supporting the National Pork Producers Council and American Farm Bureau Federation's challenge to California’s animal housing law, Proposition 12.

With drivers searching for the cheapest gas price possible, gasoline with higher blends of ethanol is seeing an uptick in demand as E85 is currently priced 30% to 40% less than E10.

In a letter sent to President Biden, the Republicans argue the situation started before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying the administration has failed to take serious action to increase agricultural production.

EPA hosted its fifth WOTUS roundtable last week with the Kansas Livestock Association, revealing murky waters in the WOTUS definition.

While many farmers buy new farm equipment to provide more efficient operations and higher yields, they face problems if their equipment breaks down, particularly due to company-imposed restrictions on repairs.

While overall pork exports are down, Mexico remains hungry for U.S. pork. Exports to Mexico have been on fire this year, up 24% in March. The latest data from April shows shipments to Mexico remain on a record pace.

How an epic convoy and legendary farmer army shook Washington, D.C.

The Biden administration announced funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build a “convenient and equitable” charging network of 500,000 stations.

Had Russia not invaded Ukraine, the global food crisis could have been avoided, but a portion of our problem is the result of a bad choice to prohibit a proven technology. This is the definition of a manmade disaster.

EPA finalized its RVO ruling on Friday, which shows the total renewable fuel level for 2022 is set at 20.63 billion gallons, down from the 20.77 billion gallons originally proposed.

According to the Office of the USTR, the safeguard will allow U.S. exporters to meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality beef while minimizing the odds that Japan will increase tariffs.

USDA 's weekly Export Sales data for the week ended May 26 showed net sales of U.S. cotton for both old- and new-crop delivery with additional sales of sorghum but cancellations of old-crop soybean sales.

Transforming the U.S. food system by improving supply chains and addressing issues exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic was detailed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack during a speech at Georgetown University.

Participants who seek this one-time, voluntary termination do not have to repay rental payments. But they must make requests for voluntary termination in writing through their local USDA office.

USDA raised its estimated range of 6.5%-7.5% y/y increase from a range of 5%-6%, according to the May Food Price Outlook report, the highest forecast for all food prices and restaurant prices since 1981.

Russia is ready to provide a humanitarian corridor for vessels carrying food to leave Ukraine, in return for the lifting of some sanctions, Interfax news agency reported, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.

Estimates of when new routes will be regular shipping lanes keep advancing. It looks like the long-awaited transpolar shipping route could be a real thing around 2050. John Phipps explains why and the possible impact

President Biden spent last weekend in Tokyo, Japan. During the visit, Biden announced a dozen Indo-Pacific countries will join the U.S. in a “sweeping” economic initiative, primarily focused on countering China.

U.S. President Joe Biden has not ruled out using export restrictions to ease soaring domestic fuel prices, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Tuesday.

The White House is considering waiving U.S. gasoline environmental rules aimed at reducing summertime smog, hoping the waiver will combat rising pump prices, Reuters reported.

Is private land a federal playground? The government claims a phenomenally powerful right—access and surveillance on every inch of farmland, hunting ground, and pasture in the U.S., without warrant or probable cause.

The U.S.-China trade war began in July 2018 when the Trump administration imposed tariffs on $550 billion worth of Chinese goods. Nearly four years later, the debate remains as to which country actually won.

Through a collaboration with Ford Pro, Ford Motor Company’s commercial division, Wilbur-Ellis will initially integrate 10 of the new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks into its fleet in California.

European leaders should spend more time listening to the professional opinion and expertise of farmers. The time to act is now. European grain farmers are making planting decisions today in anticipation of harvest 2023.

Ukraine reported a major drop in grain exports, threatening food security for millions worldwide. Grain exports are down 64% so far in May compared to last year, the country’s agriculture ministry said Thursday.

Some farmers are concerned about the possibility of losing farmland to energy projects like wind and solar. John Phipps points out some major misconceptions about the placement of solar projects.

The Senate Committee on Ag, Nutrition and Forestry held the first 2023 Farm Bill hearing in early May. Hearing attendees agreed the 2023 Farm Bill should echo elements in the current bill and address new topics.

Three requests for information were published by the Federal Register. The requests outlined information about competition in regard to producers’ access to fertilizer, seed and ag inputs, as well as food retail.

“This flawed system isn’t due to rains or weather. Unless we have remedial practices and advocate for cover crops, buffer strips and diversity, we can’t solve the problem," says Former USDA Soil Scientist Thicke.

Biden says Ukraine has 20 million tons of stored grain awaiting export to various countries. He says lack of port movement coupled with halted planting in Ukraine will ignite a global food crisis unless action is taken.

The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation weighs in on immigration reform and year-round work permits, Waters of the U.S. concerns and support for the new Climate-Smart Commodities Program.