Policy Articles
Seed and Ag Chem Companies in Court Over Loyalty Programs
Published February 14, 2023
A class action lawsuit over the use of loyalty programs in the seed and crop protection business has been moved to a federal court in North Carolina. A Texas farmer filed anti-trust action against Syngenta and Corteva last fall, claiming…Climate-Smart Conservation Funding Available
Published February 14, 2023
USDA is making funds available for farmers who participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the Inflation Reduction Act provided additional funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, the Regional…Pros and Cons for Raw Milk
Published February 13, 2023
State Representative Dawson Holle is sponsoring a bill that would alllow dairy farms to sell raw milk directly to consumers in North Dakota. The House Agriculture Committee heard testimony both in favor of and in opposition to the bill this…USDA Response to ERP II and Farm Bill Priorities
Published February 13, 2023
The Senate Ag Committee held a hearing to discuss priorities for the 2023 farm bill. FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux looks forward to working with lawmakers on the possible adjustment to reference price and allocation of base acres for the ARC…Tensions Mount Over Airspace Violations
Published February 13, 2023
China is now accusing the U.S. of flying ten spy balloons in its airspace this past year. The Biden Administration denied these allegations. U.S. fighter jets have shot down four objects in the past eight days. The first balloon was…A Possible Farm Bill Budget Squeeze
Published February 13, 2023
The farm bill was top-of-mind at this past week’s Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting. Deputy Executive Director Tara Smith says one overriding concern is the budget. "We saw this when you look at the '14 farm bill process where…Ag Groups Weigh In Over the RFS
Published February 13, 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency wrapped up its public comment on the Renewable Fuel Standard this past Friday. Ethanol and corn grower groups touted ethanol as a way for the Biden Administration to reach its carbon reduction goals. These pro-ethanol groups…EPR Phase II Reminder
Published February 13, 2023
Grand Forks County Farm Service Agency Executive Director Terry Miller said Emergency Relief Program Phase II qualification will be determined differently than Phase I, noting payments are expected to be smaller and will have limitations. "Generally, if a producer received…Soybean Checkoff Changes
Published February 13, 2023
As crossover approaches, the North Dakota House Agriculture Committee has been busy the recent few weeks. Chair Paul Thomas says one of the bills generating attention deals with the structure of the state soybean checkoff. “The (North Dakota) Soybean Council…