Policy Articles
Strengthening Enforcement of Packers and Stockyards Act
Published June 14, 2021
USDA is planning to propose changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act. The agriculture department plans to provide clarity to strengthen and enforce marketing practices; propose a new poultry grower tournament system rule; and re-propose a rule to clarify that…Governor to Host ND Drought Discussion
Published June 14, 2021
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring will meet with farm leaders this afternoon for a roundtable discussion about the drought and economic opportunities related to carbon capture. Burgum declared a statewide drought emergency in early April.Fed Meeting On the Schedule This Week
Published June 14, 2021
The Federal Open Market Committee meets this week. The central bank could adjust the forecast for interest rates and inflation, but not take any immediate action. The Fed’s formal policy statement and its economic forecast will be posted Wednesday afternoon.Certify Cover Crop Acres by Tuesday
Published June 11, 2021
Farmers who seeded a cover crop this spring are eligible for premium support of $5 per acre. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program is being offered by the Risk Management Agency. To receive this benefit, RMA Regional Director Pamela Stahlke says…Future Pork Industry Leaders Gather in Des Moines
Published June 11, 2021
Up-and-coming leaders for the pork industry participated in the Pork Leadership Institute in Des Moines this past week. Annie Lerner is a swine nutritionist from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota who was part of the training. Lerner says there are a few…Federal Offices Prep for In-Person Staffing
Published June 11, 2021
The Biden Administration has directed government agencies to prepare for employees to come back to work in-person. Plans for reentry of the workforce should be in place by July 19. This new guidance eliminates the 25 percent limit on the…Restraining Order Granted on Loan Forgiveness Program
Published June 11, 2021
A federal judge in Green Bay has issued a temporary restraining order, suspending a USDA loan forgiveness program for socially disadvantaged farmers. The American Rescue Plan pays off up to 120 percent of direct and guaranteed USDA loans. The lawsuit…Compromise Deal Brokered on Infrastructure
Published June 11, 2021
A bipartisan group of ten U.S. senators has reached an agreement on an infrastructure proposal. The plan calls for $974 billion in spending over five years and would be done without tax increases. This proposal still needs support from a…Seeking More Competition in the Cattle Trade
Published June 11, 2021
Montana Senator Jon Tester has introduced legislation to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act to create a USDA Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. This proposal is in response to the wide disparity between packer profits and the…