Latest News From POLICY

There's a New Way to Cash in on Your CI Score on the Farm, Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act
There's a New Way to Cash in on Your CI Score on the Farm, Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act

The new 45Z tax credit passed in the Inflation Reduction Act, slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, means a farmer's carbon intensity score will soon be worth more, especially if your corn goes to an ethanol plant.

ARA Names Legislator of the Year Award Recipients
ARA Names Legislator of the Year Award Recipients

Reps. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). have been recognized for their support of important agriculture issues.

Will Europe's Farmer Protests Make Their Way To The U.S.?
Will Europe's Farmer Protests Make Their Way To The U.S.?

Steve Cubbage says the upcoming farm bill could decide if the U.S. gets a taste for Europe's recent farmer protests.

Stephanie Mercier
What's New In U.S. Agriculture--Tales from the 2022 Census of Agriculture

The 2022 Census of Agriculture continues the trend of declining number of farms and increasing average age of farmers. I also shows mixed results in terms of farmers adopting conserving agricultural practices.

A Big Announcement on the GREET Model is Expected This Week. Here's Why Corn Farmers Should Care
A Big Announcement on the GREET Model is Expected This Week. Here's Why Corn Farmers Should Care

Changes to the GREET Model are expected later this week, and depending on how the model is interpreted, it could be the ticket for corn ethanol to start taking flight as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Why Farmers Are Protesting In Europe
Why Farmers Are Protesting In Europe

Farmers are protesting across the European Union, saying they are facing rising costs and taxes, red tape, excessive environmental rules and competition from cheap food imports.

Top 5 Takeaways From the Latest Census of Agriculture
Top 5 Takeaways From the Latest Census of Agriculture

USDA NASS has released the 2022 Census of Agriculture data, which revealed important information about the current state of agriculture.

Stephanie Mercier
Disruptions to Normal Shipping Patterns are Causing Another Spike in Ocean Freight Rates

Major disruptions to shipping through the Panama and Suez canals, occurring for very different reasons, are contributing to the recent spike in ocean freight rates.

Farmers on the International Stage
Farmers on the International Stage

Farm Journal Foundation Farmer Ambassadors share their takeaways from COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

The Scoop Podcast: Maximizing The Value of Irrigation
The Scoop Podcast: Maximizing The Value of Irrigation

With $20/hour minimum wage and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Cory Broad shares how irrigation technologies can help farmers answer these challenges.

Attacks In The Red Sea Are Now A Nightmare For Shippers. Here's Why It Could Actually Open The Door For More Exports Of U.S. Corn
Attacks In The Red Sea Are Now A Nightmare For Shippers. Here's Why It Could Actually Open The Door For More Exports Of U.S. Corn

From drought issues posing problems in the Panama Canal to growing tensions and attacks in the Red Sea, it's causing freight rates to skyrocket and ongoing delays in shipping products around the globe. 

Exclusive: Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Shares Her Vision For The U.S., Agriculture
Exclusive: Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Shares Her Vision For The U.S., Agriculture

AgriTalk has extended an invitation to all the 2024 presidential hopefuls to join Host Chip Flory and answer five standard questions about what they would focus on once in office.

Is Foreign Farmland Ownership Putting The Future At Risk In The ‘Land Of The Free’?
Is Foreign Farmland Ownership Putting The Future At Risk In The ‘Land Of The Free’?

Steve Cubbage explores the true intentions behind foreign land ownership, and if it could be planting seeds of risk for our food security and national security.

Exclusive Q&A With Presidential Hopeful Ron DeSantis
Exclusive Q&A With Presidential Hopeful Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis, candidate for 2024 Republican presidential nomination and current Florida governor, joined Chip Flory on AgriTalk to share his motivation to be president and plans for agriculture if elected.

New Legislation Would Require USDA to Study Fertilizer Industry
New Legislation Would Require USDA to Study Fertilizer Industry

The Fertilizer Research Act has been introduced by three senators to require USDA to study competition and trends in the fertilizer market.

Phosphate Fertilizer: There’s a Lot of Risk in The System
Phosphate Fertilizer: There’s a Lot of Risk in The System

“In this market, there's a lot of risk from the farm gates to the retail side. So more conversation goes along way this year,” Josh Linville says. 

Government Seizes Control of Rancher’s Land for Endangered Bug Habitat
Government Seizes Control of Rancher’s Land for Endangered Bug Habitat

The government seized control of John Yearwood’s ranchland in the name of a tiny bug. “There is no shame in Washington,” he says.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals the Final COP28 Declaration Will Not Focus on Agriculture and Food
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals the Final COP28 Declaration Will Not Focus on Agriculture and Food

COP28's decision to not include food and agriculture as a way to meet climate goals was influenced by a request from the G77 group of developing countries for additional review related to agriculture and food.

Fed Eyes Interest-Rate Cuts for 2024 as U.S. Economy Slows
Fed Eyes Interest-Rate Cuts for 2024 as U.S. Economy Slows

Analysts say an initial cut could be made as early as first quarter 2024. One of the key factors the central banking system will consider is whether its inflation rate target of 2% has been achieved.

U.S. Soybean Farmers Make Major Investments in Mississippi River and Port Infrastructure
U.S. Soybean Farmers Make Major Investments in Mississippi River and Port Infrastructure

Dredging the Mississippi River to a depth of 50' allows 500,000 more soybean bushels to be loaded per vessel, which helps lower freight rates and adds to the value of the soybeans exported.

Port of South Louisiana Top Export Port for U.S. Grain Even with Historic Drought
Port of South Louisiana Top Export Port for U.S. Grain Even with Historic Drought

The port of South Louisiana is the No. 1 export port for grain by volume in the U.S., so it's important for U.S. farmers getting their product to export markets. 

What Will the Reference  Price Be in the New Farm Bill?
What Will the Reference Price Be in the New Farm Bill?

The Congressional Budget Office estimates corn will hit the $4.26 Effective Reference Price for 2025 to 2027 crops.

As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension
As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension

An extension of the current farm bill is now a reality. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders were able to extend the current legislation as a possible government shutdown looms.

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely
Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband
New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today. 

Senate and House Leaders Call for Farm Bill Extension
Senate and House Leaders Call for Farm Bill Extension

Rep. Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee, continues to express optimism about passing a new farm bill in December in the House of Representatives. But he says an extension of the current farm bill is needed.

Election 2024 Is Shaping Up To Be A Doozy
Election 2024 Is Shaping Up To Be A Doozy

While voters are casting ballots today, they're also looking ahead. A Biden-Trump presidential race rematch is currently forecast, but their ages, economic turmoil at home and conflicts abroad are weighty concerns.

More Traffic Slowdowns At The Panama Canal
More Traffic Slowdowns At The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is now cutting its daily ship transits by half this winter due to severe drought.

The Latest On U.S. Phosphate Duties
The Latest On U.S. Phosphate Duties

Earlier this week, as part of an annual administrative review of countervailing duty orders, the Department of Commerce (DOC) adjusted duties on imported phosphate fertilizers.

A Shift in the U.S. Soybean Market Brings New Opportunities for Meal Exports in Pacific Northwest
A Shift in the U.S. Soybean Market Brings New Opportunities for Meal Exports in Pacific Northwest

An increase in crushing capacity means there's going to be more soybean meal available for export. To prepare for that transition, infrastructure improvements are being made at the Port of Grays Harbor in Washington.

Two Updates to Look for in the Next Farm Bill
Two Updates to Look for in the Next Farm Bill

Bart Fischer, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M, spotlights two topics that will be updated in the next farm bill.

The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill
The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

Arkansas Takes On Foreign-Land Ownership With New Rule
Arkansas Takes On Foreign-Land Ownership With New Rule

“I'm announcing that Syngenta, a Chinese state-owned agrichemical company, must give up its land holdings in Arkansas,” emphasized Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

USDA-office
USDA's CRP Payments Reach $1.77 Billion in 2023, Iowa Easily Tops the List of States Receiving the Most Money

USDA has allocated more than $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through CRP. Since 2021, the CRP has witnessed a 21% increase in enrolled acres.

The U.S. And Europe Are At Odds Over Trump-Era Tariffs, And It's Now Causing Strained Relations
The U.S. And Europe Are At Odds Over Trump-Era Tariffs, And It's Now Causing Strained Relations

While the U.S. and EU aim to make progress during an upcoming summit, reaching a final agreement is uncertain. This issue has significant implications for U.S./EU ties, climate goals, and geopolitics.

House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension
House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension

Work by the House or Senate Agriculture Committee on a new farm bill is essentially stalled, Randy Russell tells AgriTalk's Chip Flory. Russell says that could be the case until government funding issues are resolved.

Trade Relations Between the U.S. and China Just Got Even More Complicated
Trade Relations Between the U.S. and China Just Got Even More Complicated

China's Commerce minister expressed concerns over trade and tech restrictions to U.S. Senate Majority Leader this week. That's as the U.S. Commerce Department added 42 more Chinese companies to the export blacklist.

Hamas-Israel War Gets U.S. Lawmakers’ Attention; May Impact House Speakership Vote
Hamas-Israel War Gets U.S. Lawmakers’ Attention; May Impact House Speakership Vote

The attack on Israel by Hamas adds urgency to GOP efforts to elect a new House speaker. The need to focus on Israel may help get a House GOP leadership decision this week, several lawmakers said. 

Low Mississippi River Levels Hit Soybean Exports, Freight Rates and Basis Levels: Corn Moving by Rail
Low Mississippi River Levels Hit Soybean Exports, Freight Rates and Basis Levels: Corn Moving by Rail

The historically low water levels on the Mississippi River have caused a trifecta in the soybean market.  Its increased freight weights, slammed basis levels and taken a real toll on exports.

Farmer Gains Supreme Court’s Ear, Landmark Property Rights Hearing Awaits
Farmer Gains Supreme Court’s Ear, Landmark Property Rights Hearing Awaits

After the government twice flooded a farmer’s home and 900 acres, killed his cattle, and insisted he foot the bill, the Supreme Court will hear the case.

The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill
The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill

With the government funding in place for now, work on a new farm bill can continue, with the same questions (timing, funding, Title 1 reform, etc.) still being unanswered. 

$1.4 Billion In Federal Funds to Improve Rail Safety and Service
$1.4 Billion In Federal Funds to Improve Rail Safety and Service

In total, $1.4 billion will go toward 70 projects in 35 states.

How Will A Looming Government Shutdown Impact Agriculture?
How Will A Looming Government Shutdown Impact Agriculture?

When the House and Senate returns on Tuesday, lawmakers will have just five days left to avoid a shutdown, which would impact several USDA services, including key reports. 

Crude Awakening: Rising Oil Prices Complicate Fed's Rate-Hike Decisions
Crude Awakening: Rising Oil Prices Complicate Fed's Rate-Hike Decisions

As brent crude futures soar toward $100, it's creating a new battle in the Federal Reserve's effort to fight inflation. One money manager warns another rate hike is likely. 

Could It Be Two Years Before Farmers See a New Farm Bill? The Ugly Truth About the Fight Over Funding
Could It Be Two Years Before Farmers See a New Farm Bill? The Ugly Truth About the Fight Over Funding

Members of Congress are currently in disagreement over how long it will take to get a new farm bill finished, which is why one ag economist fears it could take two years to finally see a new Farm Bill.

Is the Stage Now Set For More Yield Cuts in October? Not If A Government Shutdown Stands In the Way
Is the Stage Now Set For More Yield Cuts in October? Not If A Government Shutdown Stands In the Way

There are just over two weeks for Congress to pass 12 spending bills to avoid a total government shutdown. If time runs out, one analyst says that could mean no USDA report in October and no yield cuts, which are likely.

Right to Farm: Tennessee Farmers Fight Chicken Litter Ban
Right to Farm: Tennessee Farmers Fight Chicken Litter Ban

Matt Griggs faces a government ban on chicken litter: “What about my right to farm?”

Low River Levels: The Sequel No One Wants To Watch
Low River Levels: The Sequel No One Wants To Watch

It’s game time says Soy Transportation Coalition executive director Mike Steenhoek, and key waterway infrastructure systems are not ready. 

STB's Proposed Rule on Reciprocal Switching Receives Praise
STB's Proposed Rule on Reciprocal Switching Receives Praise

The proposal from the STB would provide a streamlined path for rail customers to obtain a reciprocal switching order.

Potential Game Changer? Exports Explode as Crop Conditions Crumble
Potential Game Changer? Exports Explode as Crop Conditions Crumble

Mizzou's Ben Brown says the 81.2 million bushels new crop export sale marks the largest week of sales for the 2023/24 marketing year to date and double the previous record weekly volume for the year set last week.