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.

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USDA climate program efforts were raised by Sen. Grassley, who noted concern over USDA’s move to tap more than $3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to fund its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC).

Crop Insurance, Production Costs, ERP Among Key Topics at Senate Ag Farm Bill Hearing

A Senate Ag Committee hearing Thursday on the new farm bill raised a issue that is now evident: the Title 1 farm bill safety net can no longer deal with the current ag environment.

February 10, 2023 03:00 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Mexico Says U.S. GMO Corn Will be Imported if it Passes a Test

Mexico’s new decree will indicate that if U.S. GMO corn passes the sanitary filters of the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), it will have no problem entering Mexico.

February 07, 2023 11:37 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Renewable diesel consumption in the U.S. hit 28 million barrels in 2021, according to the Energy Information Administration. California burned up 99% to that consumption rate.

Diesel Prices Up 78¢ from January 2022

The price surge comes as Europe announced a ban on Russian diesel fuel and G7 countries vowed to price-cap Russian oil products.

February 07, 2023 08:14 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Stepped-Up Basis Leaning in Favor of Rural America on House Ways and Means Panel

With Republicans now in control of the House, Rep. RandyFeenstra (R-Iowa) said he wants to introduce legislation shielding the stepped-up basis and like-kind exchanges.

February 02, 2023 05:21 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Biden Officials Pressed on Mexico Corn Trade Issue at Farm Bill Hearing

“With 90% of corn acreage in the U.S. being planted to biotech seeds and Mexico being the number one purchaser of U.S. corn, I’m concerned this decree is not being met with urgency it deserves,” said Sen. Grassley.

February 02, 2023 11:30 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Corn Harvest - Poet Ethanol Plant - By Lindsey Pound 2022

United Airlines Taps Corn to Bring Ethanol-Based Jet Fuel to Market

United Airlines is teaming up with a corn ethanol maker in a bid to ramp up production of green jet fuel to deal with carbon credits and climate change by 2028.

February 01, 2023 04:47 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Faber said USDA told them the changes occurred because of a software update to its reporting system in 2019, during the Trump administration.

USDA Withholds the Names of Farm Subsidy Payment Recipients

“It’s a mystery as to why the USDA began to hide the names of many recipients,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs for the Environmental Working Group.

February 01, 2023 03:21 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

FDA Looks to Consolidate its Food Policy and Regulation Divisions

The revamped foods program would absorb the functions of Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and the Office of Food Policy and Response, as well as some of the work of the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

February 01, 2023 11:28 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Vilsack Focuses on Farm Bill Possibilities with National Sustainable Ag Coalition

Vilsack said USDA believes there are more options for farmers other than “get big or get out. There’s got to be a system in which the many and most have a fair shot.”

January 31, 2023 02:27 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

USTR Again Raises Ag Biotech, GMO Corn Issue with Mexico

While Mexico wants to reduce its imports of corn by 30% to 40% by 2024, Mexico’s Deputy Ag Minister Victor Suarez told reporters that it cannot replace its imports of U.S. corn for livestock feed.

January 26, 2023 03:47 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer