Policy Articles
Former Ag Secretary Reflects on His Time at USDA
Published June 10, 2021
After 18 years in Congress representing a district in Kansas, Dan Glickman served as Agriculture Secretary from 1995-to-2001. Glickman has authored a new book that looks back on his career. Capitol Hill is a much more partisan place today than…Ag Groups Cite the Importance of Infrastructure
Published June 10, 2021
Thirty-plus farm groups have signed off on a letter to congressional leadership, highlighting the importance of an infrastructure bill for agriculture. Farm products make up nearly 25 percent of freight moved by all modes of transportation, making agriculture the single…Investigating Vulnerabilities in the Meat Packing Sector
Published June 9, 2021
South Dakota Senator John Thune went to the Senate floor Wednesday to discuss the ransomware attack on JBS. Thune said the JBS hack resulted in a temporary shutdown. Thune said that ongoing possibility creates a serious problem for farmers, ranchers…USDA Invests in Food Supply Chain Updates
Published June 8, 2021
The USDA is investing more than $4 billion to address food supply chain needs through the Build Back Better Initiative. The USDA will focus on four areas: food production, processing, distribution and markets and consumers. Increased transparency and competition within…Supply Chain Task Force Appointed
Published June 8, 2021
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Treasury Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo are part of a new Biden Administration task force that will focus on supply chain issues. Many sectors of the economy, including agriculture, are dealing with product…Ag Groups Want a Say in Wolf Lawsuits
Published June 8, 2021
The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and American Sheep Industry Association are seeking intervener status in three lawsuits filed in California. The court is considering a return to federal protection for gray wolves in this region, the…North Dakota Landowners Can Now Electronically Post Land
Published June 7, 2021
During the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Spring Roundup meeting series, Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson highlighted ‘wins’ from the state legislative session. One of those has to do with private property rights. "The bill provides some criminal trespass protection for…ND Ag Groups Welcome EPA Administrator’s Visit
Published June 7, 2021
Agriculture groups were glad to have EPA Administrator Michael Regan in North Dakota. During Thursday's roundtable, NDFB President Daryl Lies told Regan he does not not think the WOTUS rule should be reopened. Instead, there could be better communication on…EPA Focused on Improving the Pesticide Approval Process
Published June 7, 2021
An OIG analysis shows EPA mishandled the approval of three dicamba herbicides. EPA will implement actions to ensure pesticide registration decisions are free from political interference. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the agency takes the investigation seriously. "We understand OIG…