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
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Retail Industry
Senate Agenda to Start 2025 Includes New Farm Bill
The Senate kicked off quietly as the House steals the spotlight to start 2025. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) plans to pass individual appropriations bills and a farm bill as well as focus on regular order and extended floor debates.
January 03, 2025 12:13 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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Retail Industry
China 2025: 5 Predictions to Watch in the New Year
From a possible trade war to brewing discontent within the country, there are five significant trends poised to shape China in the coming year.
January 02, 2025 10:36 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Grain system - Illinois - Lindsey Pound
Retail Industry
Breaking Down the 2025 American Relief Act: What It Means for You
Here’s a snapshot of distribution by state and crop as well as per-acre payment rates by crop for the $9.8 billion in market relief payments for farmers.
December 31, 2024 01:52 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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Retail Industry
Trump Continues to Build USDA Team, Names Stephen Vaden as Deputy Secretary
As the Trump administration prepares to return to the White House, these appointments signal a continuation of its previous agricultural policies and priorities, with experienced individuals who have both legal expertise and connections to the farming community.
December 22, 2024 06:04 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
U.S. House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) holds a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington
Retail Industry
Ag Gets Potential Christmas Gift from Congress: Continuing Resolution Includes $31 Billion in Aid for Producers
The stopgap deal to avoid a government shutdown includes $10 billion in direct payments for farmers, $21 bllion in ag disaster aid, a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill and year-round E15.
December 18, 2024 10:23 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
U.S. House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) holds a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington
Retail Industry
Ag Sector Could Score Big in Stopgap Spending
The House of Representatives released its Continuing Resolution text, which includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, $10 billion in farmer economic aid, $21 billion in ag disaster funding for 2023 and 2024 and year-round E15 sales.
December 17, 2024 01:57 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Congress
Retail Industry
A Farm Bill Extension Without Economic Aid for Farmers Sparks Intense Negotiations and Debate in Congress
Agricultural groups said over the weekend they do not support year-end spending package sans economic aid for ag producers.
December 16, 2024 08:47 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FILE PHOTO: Rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, in New York
Retail Industry
Trump Taps Texas Native Brooke Rollins for Secretary of Agriculture
In an announcement on Saturday, Trump said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”
November 22, 2024 04:10 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, in New York
Retail Industry
Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Now Up Odds for Expanding U.S. Trade/Economic War with China
Trump taps Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary, signaling tariff-heavy trade strategy. Lutnick has called the tariffs a negotiating tool that could be used to convince other countries to bring down their own levies or to force companies to move production to the U.S.
November 20, 2024 11:07 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farm Bill Capitol Hill Washington DC Government Legislation - Lindsey Pound
Retail Industry
Ag Groups Say Stabenow’s Lame-Duck Farm Bill is Lame; Gets Lambasted for Timing, Details
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.
November 19, 2024 03:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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