Policy Articles
Ag Economy Barometer Sets All-Time High in October
Published November 3, 2020
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer set an all-time high in October, fueled by the optimism of the future and current financial situation for farms. An early fall rally in commodity prices combined with government payments and decent yields…Biden: Trade, Infrastructure and Climate Change
Published November 2, 2020
Agriculture priorities for Vice President Joe Biden’s administration would include an improvement in trade relations, infrastructure and climate change. "The focus will be on expanding global markets and using our agricultural products in ways that can advance manufacturing," said former…Trump: Regulatory Reform and Trade
Published November 2, 2020
Ahead of Election Day, State Representative Mike Brandenburg is grateful for the regulatory reform, trade deals and aid that came during the Trump administration. "A lot of these (ag assistance) payments came about because farmers need to show a black…Chinese Tariffs on Aussie Barley Will Continue
Published November 2, 2020
China has rejected an attempt by Australia to end a significant tariff on barley exports. China imposed an 80 percent tariff this past May. Australia asked China for a formal review of the issue in August and that application was…Atrazine Lawsuit Filed
Published November 2, 2020
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for Food Safety are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its recent approval of atrazine. The EPA reapproved atrazine in September. In its lawsuit, the activist groups claim the agency failed to…NCBA Declines Invite From Other Cattle Organizations
Published October 31, 2020
R-CALF USA, the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and the Organization for Competitive Markets met this past week in Florida to discuss issues influencing their business. That includes the CFAP funding for cattle producers and increased transparency in the marketplace. The National…Farm Bureau: $1 Billion in ARC-CO Payments Could Be Paid
Published October 30, 2020
Agricultural Risk Coverage – County program payments are being distributed. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, ARC-CO will make as much as $1 billion in program payments to U.S. producers for the 2019-2020 marketing year with the majority of…Senators Ask USDA for More COVID-19 Relief for Dairy
Published October 30, 2020
A group of Senators sent a letter to the USDA asking the agency to cover dairy meat production losses in the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. While milk is the primary income for dairy farms, the lawmakers said many process…Zellers Moves to Primacy Strategy Group
Published October 30, 2020
Former Minnesota House Speaker and gubernatorial candidate Kurt Zellers has joined Primacy Strategy Group as its vice president of communications and public affairs. Zellers grew up on a Devils Lake, North Dakota farm and has been involved in political advocacy…