Policy Articles
EPA Decision Questioned
Published March 22, 2024
With the EPA's new standards for vehicle emissions, the agency expects electric vehicle sales to account for over 50 percent of total vehicle sales by 2032. Ag groups voiced concern over the impact on the infrastructure and Rural America. Minnesota…Thune Upset With White House Trade Policies
Published March 22, 2024
South Dakota Senator John Thune went to the Senate floor Thursday to criticize the Biden Administration’s agricultural trade agenda. "Last year, the United States posted a $16.6 billion agricultural trade deficit and that trade deficit, believe it or not, is…Vilsack Faces Ag Appropriations Subcommittee
Published March 22, 2024
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack faced the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Thursday, highlighting President Biden’s 2025 budget request. Topics addressed included using Commodity Credit Corporation funds, workforce issues, and government nutrition programs. Vilsack also said there are two ways for Congress…Senate Rejects Paraguay Beef Decision
Published March 22, 2024
To block USDA’s decision to lift the ban on fresh beef imports from Paraguay, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a resolution of disapproval. The lawmakers are concerned about the threat of foot and mouth disease. The resolution was introduced by…HSUS Will Mobilize to Protect Prop 12
Published March 22, 2024
The Humane Society of the United States is challenging the comments made by House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson this past week. Thompson said he is determined to “fix” California’s Proposition 12 through the farm bill. The activist group…Session at Half-Way Point
Published March 22, 2024
House Agriculture Committee Chair Samantha Vang says a major focus for the committee is the nitrate contamination in southeastern Minnesota. "My intent for this year is really to listen to what ideas we have out there, I think it's going to…Noem Opposes Chinese Farmland Ownership
Published March 21, 2024
During a House Ag Committee hearing on the dangers to American agriculture by the Chinese, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem expressed concern over the risks to national security. "When we talk about food policy, please talk about it from a…Certainty Sought for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Published March 21, 2024
The Biden Administration did not meet its March 1 deadline to release an updated GREET model to calculate tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel. A coalition of farm and biofuel groups sent a letter to the administration, voicing its disappointment…Additional Scrutiny for Large Dairy Farms
Published March 21, 2024
A bill that triggers a full environmental impact statement for farms with more than 10,000 animal units was reviewed in the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish testified in favor of this…