Policy Articles
Trade Officials Await Full Senate Confirmation
Published October 12, 2022
Two key U.S. trade officials still need to be confirmed: the nominee for Chief Ag Negotiator Doug McKalip and the nominee for USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor. South Dakota Senator John Thune says the full Senate confirmation votes are expected…New Faces Coming to St. Paul in ’23
Published October 11, 2022
Ahead of the election, it’s known that 41 state legislators will not be returning to St. Paul in 2023. Agricultural lobbyist Cory Bennett says it will be a time of change. "No matter who's in control, Republican or Democrat, we're…Township Zoning Regs Went Too Far
Published October 11, 2022
Cass County Judge Wade Webb ruled Howes Township failed to demonstrate the justification for its strict zoning setbacks. The township policy said feedlots must have a one-and-a-half mile setback from residential areas. The zoning requirement was implemented after a large…Trade Ambassador Challenges Status Quo
Published October 10, 2022
The Administration’s top trade official is calling for a fresh approach. U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai went to Twitter Friday, saying traditional free trade agreements has significant costs, including fragile supply chains and a concentration of wealth. Tai went on…Recession Risk
Published October 7, 2022
The Federal Reserve had an unscheduled closed-door meeting this past week. This session coincided with the release of a report from the United Nations that said the rapidly rising interest rates puts the global economy at risk for recession. The…Bill Introduced to Improve Livestock Disaster Improvement Act
Published October 6, 2022
South Dakota Senator John Thune introduced the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act. The Bipartisan legislation would improve the effectiveness of multiple programs that assist farmers and ranchers after adverse weather events. The legislation would also provide USDA with direction on…NDFB, NDFU Opposed to Term Limits
Published October 6, 2022
North Dakota Farm Bureau and North Dakota Farmers Union are working together in opposition to a ballot initiative seeking term limits. The constitutional ballot measure would limit the time in office for a governor or state legislator. NDFB President Daryl…USDA Announces Cooperative Agreement with North Dakota
Published October 5, 2022
The USDA announced they will reward $400 million through a cooperative agreement with North Dakota under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. Through LFPA, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture can purchase and distribute locally grown and produced…More Margin Protection Tools Sought
Published October 5, 2022
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member John Boozman are asking USDA to expand its margin protection tools to help offset high input costs and volatile commodity markets. The ag committee leadership specifically asked for options for additional…