Governmental Regulations
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin proposes rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding. If the proposal goes into effect, it could potentially lead to DEF systems no longer being required in tractors, trucks and other equipment using diesel-powered engines — a decision many farmers and others in the ag community would applaud.
The new bill duplicates elements of the on-going WOTUS rework effort by EPA, but has been praised for helping to bring regulatory certainty by excluding certain types of water under the “navigable waters” definition.
The department says it will relocate more than half of its Washington, D.C., staff to five hubs around the country, as well as consolidate or eliminate regional offices.
Farm stand and greenhouse triggers government regulations.
ARA’s policy team of Hunter Carpenter and Richard Gupton discuss the impact of the recent reconciliation package on agriculture, a “skinny Farm Bill,” dead in the water California regulations, and what to expect before the August recess.
The “Big Beautiful Bill” includes a lot of wins for agriculture, and whatever is good for ag is good for fertilizer.
The new rule is part of the Trump administration’s directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the federal government.
The thought in some ag circles is that the One Big Beautiful Bill is a farm bill prototype or laying the groundwork for its development. Farmers and Sen. John Boozman weigh in with their perspectives.
The groups are urging the administration to “formally include farmers, ranchers and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process.” An action report — a follow-up to the MAHA report released in May — is due by August 12.
EPA says it will release a proposed final WOTUS rule this summer for public comment, expecting the rule will be finalized before the end of 2025.
The move would increase biomass-based diesel requirements, from 3.35 billion gallons in 2025 to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026, supporting American row-crop growers in the process.
There are more than 36,000 registered pesticide applicators in Illinois — of which 11,000 are farmers.
The commission now has about 80 days to create a strategy for how the federal government should respond to the report findings, per President Trump’s original order in February.
USDA’s Brooke Rollins and more than 300 farm groups went to bat for agriculture leading up to the report’s release on Thursday. Yet farmers were excluded from having a voice at the table in the development process. That needs to change before the next report – which will provide policy recommendations – is issued within the next 80 days.
A chief concern is whether glyphosate will be targeted by the report, which is expected to be unveiled on Thursday. A number of farmers have voiced concerns collectively and individually this week.
Industry analysts are watching two fronts for activity from MAHA initiatives
Earlier this spring, Bayer leadership confirmed it’s engaging in the multifront approach to limit its legal liabilities as the only domestic manufacturer of glyphosate.
Agriculture has been watching a ballooning backlog: 504 new chemicals in review plus 12,000 pesticide reviews that are overdue compared to their expected timelines
“Don’t panic,” says independent crop consultant Steve Hoffman with In-Depth Agronomy. “This is going to be a gradual phase in, and I know it’s definitely adding complexity.”
The agency plans to cut staff to Reagan administration levels and shift research to office run by political appointees. Advocacy groups are concerned about scientific independence.
The regulations are a response by EPA to enforce the Endangered Species Act at the agency level rather than through litigation and the court system.
On average, ag aviation makes at least one application to approximately 127 million crop acres, or one-third of the cropland in the U.S.
John Moriarity insists the state’s regulatory pursuit of his property is about asphalt—not water.
On her list of issues to tackle, says Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, is deciding if farmers will need another round of assistance payments later this year and if USDA headquarters should be relocated.
Lucia Sanchez’s ranch is crossed by a knee-high stream, and for decades her family could block trespass up and down the flow. No more.
The agency will hold at least six listening sessions for stakeholders between late March and into April. Persons or organizations wishing to provide input will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Would the government punish a rural town of 56 people for draining water to ensure ambulance access for its residents?
Inherited sins? Can the government convict private property owners and levy millions in fines based entirely on suspicion?
“This idea of ever going back to a period of non-compliance like we had, I don’t think would be appropriate or ever acceptable,” says Kyle Kunkler, director of government affairs at the American Soybean Association.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised to work with farmers to remove burdensome regulation during his confirmation hearing. And while Lee Zeldin’s past positions raised initial concerns, his recent statements during the confirmation process suggest he may be open to working with the biofuels industry in his new role as EPA Administrator.