Policy Articles
Limited Production Ag Experience on Biden Transition Team
Published November 11, 2020
Former USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie is leading the Biden transition team and its review of USDA, the Farm Credit Administration and Farmer Mac. Bonnie currently leads the Bipartisan Policy Center at Duke University. There are 17 individuals on the transition…Peterson Backs Scott for Ag Committee Chairmanship
Published November 11, 2020
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson is supporting Georgia Congressman David Scott to be his successor. Peterson wrote a letter to Scott, voicing his support for the seniority system. The Minnesota lawmaker followed the first Hispanic chair of the House…The Selection Process for House Ag Committee Leadership
Published November 10, 2020
A leadership change is coming for the House Agriculture Committee in 2021. Seniority plays a role in selecting leadership, but that’s not the only factor considered. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says the process also varies by…Burkel Elected to Serve in MN Legislature
Published November 10, 2020
Badger, Minnesota-farmer John Burkel will be in the Minnesota House of Representatives for the next two years, representing District 1A. Burkel previously served on the board for the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and National Turkey Federation. "That's where I got…MN House Leadership Re-elected
Published November 10, 2020
In the Minnesota Legislature, House Speaker Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park will continue in that role during the upcoming session. House Majority Leader of Ryan Winkler of Golden Valley will maintain his leadership role. House Republicans re-elected Kurt Daudt of…Klumb and Smith to Chair SD Ag Committees
Published November 10, 2020
The committee chairs for the 2021 South Dakota legislative session have been named. Joshua Klumb, who farms at Mount Vernon, will chair the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. V.J. Smith of Brookings is leading that same committee at the…Potential Picks for EPA and USTR
Published November 9, 2020
In addition to USDA, there are other cabinet positions that impact agriculture. The names being highlighted by the national media for the EPA administrator include the chairperson of the California Air Resources Board Mary Nichols, the senior director of the…Heitkamp is a Possible Choice for USDA Post
Published November 9, 2020
Speculation has begun over the possible cabinet picks in a Biden administration. Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp is getting most of the attention for the top job at USDA. Both Bloomberg and Politico have named Heitkamp as the likely…Soybean and Cotton Groups Sue EPA Over Dicamba
Published November 9, 2020
The Environmental Protection Agency is being sued over its re-registration of dicamba herbicide. The American Soybean Association and the Plains Cotton Growers filed the lawsuit, claiming some parts of the rule are too severe. That includes the buffer requirements and…