Latest News From POLICY

5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023
5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023

In preparation for farm bill 2023, the House Ag Committee met on Tuesday to grasp the highs and lows of the current farm bill and fill any gaps in 2023.

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Russian Oil Ban on the Horizon, No Near-Term US/UK Trade Deal

British Prime Minister Liz Truss and President Biden agree a U.S./U.K. trade deal is a low priority. However, the U.K. might lean on the U.S. more in coming weeks as many countries prepare to ban Russian oil.

Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations
Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations

Have the Pacific Coast port bottleneck issues been resolved, or moved somewhere else? The East Coast may now be carrying the burden.

Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm
Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm

There's a stick, a big stick, with potentially big consequences for those involved in the value chain—all the way down to the farm gate.

White House Reaches Tentative Accord to Avert National Rail Strike
White House Reaches Tentative Accord to Avert National Rail Strike

The details of the tentative agreement reached on Thursday morning have not been shared, and could still be voted down by members who need to ratify the agreement to settle the matter.

3 Ag Investments in the Latest Biotech Executive Order
3 Ag Investments in the Latest Biotech Executive Order

An executive order on biotech and biomanufacturing was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday. The order tasks Secy. Vilsack with reporting how the initiative can best benefit ag, but some funds are spoken for.

Fertilizer Movement Already Being Hit by Looming Rail Strike
Fertilizer Movement Already Being Hit by Looming Rail Strike

Rail shipments are already starting to shut down ahead of a possible strike which could begin as early as this Friday and it couldn't come at a worse time for agriculture. 

Railroad Strike Days Away? Here’s What it Means for Agriculture
Railroad Strike Days Away? Here’s What it Means for Agriculture

A rail strike is looming despite the majority of unions reaching tentative agreement with the rail companies, but the unions not on board are essential to the operation of the nation’s rail system. 

How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation
How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation

According to Secretary Vilsack, these efforts will “increase the competitive advantage of U.S. agriculture both domestically and internationally,” while building wealth in rural America.

U.S. Rail Carriers Could Now Halt Grain Shipments as Early as Wednesday in Preparation of Friday's Possible Strike
U.S. Rail Carriers Could Now Halt Grain Shipments as Early as Wednesday in Preparation of Friday's Possible Strike

Grain shipments on some railroads could stop as early as Wednesday, two days ahead of a possible rail strike. A rail stoppage is growing more likely as the country’s main rail unions remain at odds with rail companies.

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Biden Administration Presses Unions, Railroads to Avoid Shutdown

Widespread railroad disruptions could choke supplies of food and fuel, spawn transportation chaos, stoke inflation and cause $2 billion per day in lost economic output.

Fireworks from the WASDE Comes in an Unexpected Place
Fireworks from the WASDE Comes in an Unexpected Place

Corn and soybeans are pushing higher after some surprises in the September USDA Supply and Demand Report.  Wheat mostly lower. Livestock mixed.  Michelle Rook gets analysis with Matt Bennett of AgMarket.Net.  

More than Hangry: What’s Really at Stake in Global Food Insecurity?
More than Hangry: What’s Really at Stake in Global Food Insecurity?

Empty dinner plates can quickly translate to lack of world peace. Just ask Sen. Ernst, who gave a political rundown of food security as national security at Iowa State University last week.

Russia Sparks New Trouble in Grain and Oil Exports
Russia Sparks New Trouble in Grain and Oil Exports

Putin said he now wants to renegotiate the U.N.-brokered Ukraine grain export deal, raising concerns the pact may not be able to last. Meanwhile, G7 countries mull over a $44 price cap on Russian oil.

3 Supply Chain Trends to Look Out for in 2023, According To AEM
3 Supply Chain Trends to Look Out for in 2023, According To AEM

“Friend shoring means that, rather than just bringing everything [manufacturing] back to the U.S., which is feasible, let’s make sure our supply chains are with countries that are friendly to us,” Heidelberg says.

Tentative Deals Reached with Some Rail Unions and Railroads: Still More Work to do to Avert a Strike 
Tentative Deals Reached with Some Rail Unions and Railroads: Still More Work to do to Avert a Strike 

Tentative deals have been reached with three of the 12 rail unions and large U.S. freight railroads.  However, there's more work to do to avert a strike.

Vilsack Announces 3 Grant Recipients for ‘Climate Smart’ Products
Vilsack Announces 3 Grant Recipients for ‘Climate Smart’ Products

University of Missouri, South Dakota University and Iowa Soybean Association were named winners at the Farm Progress show in Boone, Ia. on Tuesday. Vilsack noted requests from over 1,000 applications topped $20 billion.

California Approves Plan to 'Move State Away From Oil' by 2035
California Approves Plan to 'Move State Away From Oil' by 2035

More than 16% of new cars sold in California in 2022 were zero-emissions vehicles, the state said, up from 12.41% in 2021 and 7.78% in 2020.

Here’s How Farmers Are Using USDA's $121 Million for Rural Development
Here’s How Farmers Are Using USDA's $121 Million for Rural Development

We often hear about government funding but little about how it is actually being used. These 289 projects funded by the USDA will cover everything from solar arrays to grain dryers.

EPA: Despite Stricter Rules, Thousands of Complaints of Dicamba Damage
EPA: Despite Stricter Rules, Thousands of Complaints of Dicamba Damage

EPA said there was little risk to most people from exposure to dicamba, though it identified six additional instances in which workers handling the herbicide should wear a respirator along with the required outfit.

Nutrient Reductions, Atrazine Changes: Bill Northey Shares Insights
Nutrient Reductions, Atrazine Changes: Bill Northey Shares Insights

It will be a combination of cover crops, reduced nitrogen rates or split nitrogen applications as well as nutrient reduction wetlands, bioreactors, and saturated buffers Iowa farmers will use to meet their goals.

The U.S. is Now 30 Days Away From a Possible Railroad Labor Strike
The U.S. is Now 30 Days Away From a Possible Railroad Labor Strike

From a train derailment outside Hereford, Texas, to growing concerns about a possible labor strike in mid-September, rail delays have been a severe pain point for the grain users and shippers all year.

What's Ag's Stake in the Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act?
What's Ag's Stake in the Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act?

The reconciliation bill is heading to the House on Friday with many provisions on ag. Here's what producers need to know about the Inflation Reduction Act.

Ukraine Successfully Shipped Some Grain Out This Week, But Could Now Face a Bigger Challenge
Ukraine Successfully Shipped Some Grain Out This Week, But Could Now Face a Bigger Challenge

Less than a week after the first shipment of grain left Ukraine, three more ships departed Friday. Grain analysts are still concerned about not only how much grain will be exported, but if the ships will safely return.

John Phipps: Are Tariffs Part Of The Problem With Inflation?
John Phipps: Are Tariffs Part Of The Problem With Inflation?

Do tariffs fuel inflation? John Phipps's Customer Support segment explains why economists have struggled to come up with estimates of economic effects due to lingering COVID influence on world business.

John Phipps: Are Tariffs Part Of The Problem With Inflation?
John Phipps: Are Tariffs Part Of The Problem With Inflation?

Do tariffs fuel inflation? John Phipps's Customer Support segment explains why economists have struggled to come up with estimates of economic effects due to lingering COVID influence on world business.

China's Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk
China's Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk

Fufeng Group recently bought 300 acres of land in North Dakota and the proximity to a U.S. military base has many concerned. But this isn’t the first time questions have been raised about China’s stake in the U.S.

Mission Nearly Complete: Ukraine's 1st Grain Shipment Clears Inspection
Mission Nearly Complete: Ukraine's 1st Grain Shipment Clears Inspection

Ukraine's first shipment of grain  since Russia's invasion is now one step closer to reaching its final destination of Lebanon. The UN. says the shipment of over 26,000 tons of corn was cleared to proceed Wednesday.

Pile of corn
Ukrainian Ship Carrying 26,527 MT of Corn Left Ukraine For First Time Since War Started

For the first time since the war started, a Ukrainian ship carrying grain left port. The UN says the Razoni was carrying 26,527 MT of corn. The vessel was stuck in port since Feb. 18, before the start of the war.

Russia Hits Southern Ukraine City, Killing Owner of One of the Country's Largest Grain Exporting Companies
Russia Hits Southern Ukraine City, Killing Owner of One of the Country's Largest Grain Exporting Companies

Heavy Russian strikes hit the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv overnight and early on Sunday, killing the owner of one of the country's largest grain producing and exporting companies, the local governor said.

Dutch Farmers Are Protesting A Government Policy Canada and Ireland are Now Proposing, Is The U.S. Next?
Dutch Farmers Are Protesting A Government Policy Canada and Ireland are Now Proposing, Is The U.S. Next?

“I feel like every day is one day closer to having the President declare a climate emergency,” says Newlin. “Once that happens, I don’t know what it will mean for ag, or what it’s going to open up the door to."

First Ukrainian Grain Shipment Since Paper Agreement Still Hasn't Shipped
First Ukrainian Grain Shipment Since Paper Agreement Still Hasn't Shipped

U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Thursday that grain shipments from Ukraine could resume as soon as today but that details of the exact coordinates of shipping routes were still being finalized.

In A Surprise Move, Manchin And Senate Democrats Strike A Deal On Expansive Climate And Tax Plan
In A Surprise Move, Manchin And Senate Democrats Strike A Deal On Expansive Climate And Tax Plan

Sen. Joe Manchin went from being his party’s main holdout on major social policy, climate and tax legislation, to striking a domestic spending package deal that includes climate and energy programs and tax increases. 

John Phipps: You May Be Surprised Which States Provide Majority of the Wind Energy in the U.S.
John Phipps: You May Be Surprised Which States Provide Majority of the Wind Energy in the U.S.

John Phipps says he was aware that the West and especially the southern Plains had high average wind speeds, he didn't realize the Midwest was also a good place to site wind turbines, especially the newer, larger ones.

Could Food Prices Ease in 2023? USDA's New Consumer Food Price Forecast Has a Bit of Good News
Could Food Prices Ease in 2023? USDA's New Consumer Food Price Forecast Has a Bit of Good News

USDA raised its consumer food price forecast again, to 8.5% to 9.5% for 2022. The agency had initially predicted a 2% to 3% rise in prices. Eggs, fats and oils, and poultry prices are making the biggest gains.

U.S. Senators to Receive Classified Briefing on Ukraine Wednesday, Grain Deal at Risk After Weekend Missile Attack
U.S. Senators to Receive Classified Briefing on Ukraine Wednesday, Grain Deal at Risk After Weekend Missile Attack

Five months after the invasion, Senators will receive a classified briefing Wednesday. Russia launched a missile attack on the key grain-exporting port of Odesa Saturday, a day after signing a deal to resume exports.

Russian Cruise Missiles Hit Odesa One Day After Signing Deal to Resume Ukraine Grain Exports
Russian Cruise Missiles Hit Odesa One Day After Signing Deal to Resume Ukraine Grain Exports

A day after Ukraine and Russia signed a deal to resume grain exports from Ukraine, Russian missiles hit the Odesa port. Ukrainian foreign-ministry accused Vladimir Putin of “spitting in the face” of U.N and Turkey.

Trucker Blockade Shuts Major California Seaport for Second Day
Trucker Blockade Shuts Major California Seaport for Second Day

Truckers protesting California's new "gig worker" law blockaded the state's third-busiest seaport for a second day on Thursday, stalling agricultural exports and threatening to worsen U.S. supply chain backups.

President Biden Fast Tracks the Switch from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy
President Biden Fast Tracks the Switch from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy

Biden spoke up in Massachusetts on Wednesday to deliver his administration’s executive action climate plans in lieu of Manchin’s decision, including offshore wind, bolstered utilities and workplace heat inspections.

D.C. Decisions Effecting Ag Retailers In A Big Way
D.C. Decisions Effecting Ag Retailers In A Big Way

“We need as many people in the boat towing us forward, because the challenges are only getting bigger, not smaller,” Richard Gupton says.

Trouble Shipping Grain And Feed Via Rail Far From Over, Concerns Now Growing About Possible Worker Strike At Harvest
Trouble Shipping Grain And Feed Via Rail Far From Over, Concerns Now Growing About Possible Worker Strike At Harvest

A potential stoppage on the nation's railways this fall is spurring concern, even after President Biden signed an executive order Sunday to keep U.S. rail traffic on track and the collective bargaining process going.

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U.S. Rail Strike Averted For Now As Biden Steps In Before Sunday's Deadline

As a Sunday deadline loomed, Biden signed an executive order to create a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). The move was an essential step in keeping the collective bargaining process on track and railways operating.

RedRiverValleySoil
New Bill Aims to Strengthen Research in Ag Conservation

The Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act aims to increase agriculture and forestry’s current 13% carbon capture rate by establishing more research and development programs in land use.

elevator-railroad-tracks-sign
Could Rail Workers Now Strike Starting Monday As Concerns Of a Feed Shortage Continue In the West?

As labor negotiations continue between the railroads and unions, laborers voted to go on strike Monday unless President Biden intervenes. A potential strike would put additional strain on the fragile U.S. rail system.

CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981
CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981

The CPI, an inflation gauge measuring what consumers pay for goods and services, rose 1.3% from May to June. Prices were up across the economy, with gasoline far outpacing other categories, up 11.2%.

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking
New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of 5,981 million metrics tons, of the U.S.’s total carbon contribution.

USDA-soybeans-closeup
Here's Why USDA's 65-Million-Bushel Cut to Soybean Exports is Stirring Debate

The July WASDE report from USDA shows while soybean production this year is expected to fall due to fewer soybean acres planted across the U.S., USDA is also forecasting a drop in exports.

Mexican President Says Some Tariffs Under USMCA Can Be Immediately Suspended
Mexican President Says Some Tariffs Under USMCA Can Be Immediately Suspended

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Tuesday that some tariffs under USMCA could immediately be suspended, as he visited the White House to meet U.S. President Joe Biden.

John Phipps: It's Now Less About the Supply of Oil, And More About Refining Capacity in the U.S.
John Phipps: It's Now Less About the Supply of Oil, And More About Refining Capacity in the U.S.

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.

Labor Contract Negotiations Continue Past Deadline at Some of America's Most Important Ports
Labor Contract Negotiations Continue Past Deadline at Some of America's Most Important Ports

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.