Policy Articles
ND House Approves Grain Inspection Bill
Published January 26, 2021
A grain inspection bill has passed in the North Dakota House. This bill includes financial standards and licensing rules for grain buyers and ag processors. This bill will move to the Senate after crossover.Permitting Bill Advances in SD Legislature
Published January 26, 2021
In Pierre, state senators have approved a permitting bill for large-scale livestock operations. With the current regulations, livestock operations must renew these permits every five years. This bill doubles that timeline to ten years.Thompson to Serve in the Biden Administration
Published January 26, 2021
A South Dakotan has been selected to lead USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations. Heather Dawn Thompson is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who works on American Indian law and tribal agriculture issues at a Washington, D.C. law…Yellen Confirmed as U.S. Treasury Secretary
Published January 25, 2021
The nominee for Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Monday on a vote of 84 to 15. Senate leaders are still working through organizational rules for the new Congress and that's delaying the confirmation process…Fischbach Named to House Ag Committee
Published January 25, 2021
Minnesota Representative Michelle Fischbach is one of seven new Republicans named to the House Agriculture Committee, confirmed by a GOP aide. Republicans returning to the committee include South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson and Minnesota Congressman Jim Hagedorn. The full committee…Livestock Dealer Trust Provides Added Protection for Unpaid Sellers
Published January 25, 2021
A Livestock Dealer Trust was established in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last month. This gives unpaid sellers of livestock additional protection, but it only applies if the entity being sold to is a livestock dealer. "As long…National Biodiesel Board Holds Virtual Conference and Expo
Published January 25, 2021
The National Biodiesel Board hosted their virtual conference and expo last week. Part of the conference focused on biofuels policy. "There are some states getting impatient with the federal government's speed at removing carbon from transportation and heating fuels; states…New EPA Expected to Be Tougher on Regulations
Published January 25, 2021
As the Biden administration’s political appointees are named and executive orders are issued, ag lobbyist Jim Callan, is watching what’s happening at the Environmental Protection Agency. "It appears the new administration is going to be tougher on pesticide and herbicide…Biden’s Executive Orders Confirm Priorities to Ag Groups
Published January 25, 2021
President Joe Biden made regulatory changes with a series of executive orders during his first few days in office. As expected, COVID recovery is a top focus. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew thinks the additional attention for addressing COVID…