Policy Articles
Hoeven: A Boost in Reference Prices Needed
Published August 4, 2022
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven supports an increase in reference prices for the new farm bill. "Reference prices have to be updated for inflation or they're not relevant. We've had to update this in the past, but clearly, we're going…Honest Feedback on Farm Policy
Published August 4, 2022
Politicians are a familiar sight at Farmfest, especially during an election year. Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Public Policy Director Amber Glaeser appreciates having elected officials and candidates at the show. "This is really boots-on-the-ground and they'll get really, honest thoughts…Walz & Jensen Clash at Farmfest Forum
Published August 3, 2022
The crowd for the 2022 Farmfest gubernatorial forum was reminiscent to 1998 when Jesse Ventura, Norm Coleman and Skip Humphrey were the candidates. The topics ranged from biofuels to broadband and from COVID to the economy. There was a populist…Conservation Funding Available in Inflation Reduction Act
Published August 3, 2022
Minnesota Representative Angie Craig is encouraged by the ag-related provisions in the new reconciliation bill. Craig cites the one-time $20 billion conservation funding. "This is one of the items we heard at our farm bill listening session," Craig told RRFN.…Fairness for Farmers Comes to Farmfest
Published August 3, 2022
The National Farmers Union Fairness for Farmers campaign calls for reform of the Packers and Stockyards Act, improving price discovery, diversifying marketing opportunities and antitrust enforcement. NFU Vice President of Advocacy Mike Stranz applauded the Minnesota Farmers Union for its…A Deep Dive into Farm Bill Funding
Published August 3, 2022
With rising production costs, agriculture groups are asking for more money in the farm safety net for the next farm bill. Texas A&M Agriculture and Food Policy Center Co-Director Bart Fischer says an increase in baseline funding is not an…Firm Financial Footing
Published August 3, 2022
American Sugar Alliance Director of Economics and Policy Analysis Rob Johansson is concerned what rising input costs could mean for U.S. farmers heading into 2023. "If high input costs move into 2023, that means even tighter operating margins for producers."…Undersecretary Highlights Climate and Disaster Aid
Published August 3, 2022
Former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson moderated a Sweetener Symposium panel with USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie. Much of the conversation centered around climate smart agriculture. "There's a lot of concern in agriculture about reducing the carbon footprint and having…Policy Highlighted at Sweetener Symposium
Published August 3, 2022
According to Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association board member Jason Schatzke, sugarbeet growers need the sugar program to sustain sugar cooperatives. "We have to be able to produce domestically so we can sustain longer term investments in our processing…