Policy Articles
Senate Ag Appropriations Gets Feedback on Ways to Improve USDA Programs
Published April 30, 2021
The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee had its first hearing of the session on Thursday, looking at opportunities to diversify on-farm income. Ranking Member John Hoeven asked witnesses what can be done to make USDA programs better. One suggestion was speeding…Proposal Exempts Livestock From CO2 Emissions Permitting Requirement
Published April 30, 2021
Legislation has been introduced to prevent USDA from issuing permits for livestock emissions. South Dakota Senator John Thune said farmers “should not be subject to onerous regulations and costly permit fees for their animals’ emissions.”Bill Introduced for Penalty-Free Haying and Grazing
Published April 30, 2021
South Dakota Senator John Thune and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow have reintroduced the Cover Crop Flexibility Act. This bill removes the prohibition on harvesting or grazing cover crops on prevented plant acres prior to November 1. Landowners would…Rural Infrastructure Funds Near the Finish Line in North Dakota
Published April 30, 2021
The North Dakota Legislative session adjourned early Friday morning. Once North Dakota’s Health and Human Services budget fell into place, lawmakers worked out the details of the Office of Management and Budget bill. "The budget is like a jigsaw puzzle.…Proposed Tax Changes May Negatively Impact Farmers
Published April 30, 2021
The American Families Plan includes updates to stepped-up basis and higher capital gains taxes. While USDA clarified farmers and family-owned businesses would be exempt from tax changes, agriculture groups are concerned. "We've had programs that exempted family-owned businesses before, but…North Dakota Legislative Report
Published April 30, 2021
Governor Doug Burgum has signed Senate Bill 2144, making North Dakota the first state to allow electronic posting. Find out more in the North Dakota Legislative Report, made possible by the North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Soybean Growers…MI Dry Bean Growers in Court Over Crop Insurance
Published April 30, 2021
The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled Michigan farmers can now renew their lawsuit against USDA in a case dealing with crop insurance and dry edible beans. Federal crop insurance mistakenly determined the proposed endorsement for Michigan farmers was identical…Senate Confirms New USAID Administrator
Published April 29, 2021
Samantha Power has been confirmed as the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development with a 68-26 vote. Power was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Obama Administration. The USAID administrator position has also been added…Vilsack: EPA Acknowledges Biofuel’s Role in Climate
Published April 29, 2021
According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilasck, EPA Administrator Michael Regan talked about the importance of biofuels in a Cabinet meeting on climate last week. "Regan recognized the research is clear biofuels are better in terms of greenhouse gas emissions than…