Policy Articles
New NASDA Policy Adopted
Published September 7, 2020
The nation’s top agricultural officials have unanimously approved a new diversity and inclusion policy during the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual meeting. In a statement, NASDA CEO Barb Glenn said the future of agriculture is best served…Lawmakers Start to Return to D.C. This Week
Published September 7, 2020
Lawmakers start to return to Washington D.C. after Labor Day. One item on the agenda is restarting earlier failed talks on another coronavirus relief package. Crops, livestock and biofuel producers are still trying to recover from billions of dollars in losses.…Resolution Expected on Brazilian Tariff on U.S. Ethanol
Published September 7, 2020
Heading into the holiday weekend, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said an announcement is forthcoming that will resolve a tariff dispute between the U.S. and Brazil. At the end of August, Brazil’s tariff rate quota moved to 20 percent on U.S.…UK-EU Skirmish Over Trade
Published September 7, 2020
The United Kingdom wants to finalize a trade agreement with the European Union by mid-October or it will blow up portions of Brexit. Britain left the EU at the end of January, but a status-quo transition on trade is in…Walz Addresses COVID-19 and Section 179 in MFBF Webinar
Published September 6, 2020
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined the Minnesota Farm Bureau Shop Talk webinar on Thursday and answered questions on the COVID-19 pandemic, including the use of emergency powers. "I want our businesses open, I also want our kids back in school…Thune Says Improvements Needed in New CFAP
Published September 5, 2020
South Dakota Senator John Thune says the USDA came up with a reasonably good formula for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, but improvements can be made. "In South Dakota alone, we've gotten more than $450 million for the program," said…Other Solutions Being Sought in Conservation Compliance
Published September 5, 2020
The USDA has finalized a rule defining highly erodible land and wetland conservation. NDFB President Daryl Lies says more needs to be done to help farmers. "I think everyone that deals with wetland compliance issues agrees we wanted them to…CFAP Details Coming This Week
Published September 5, 2020
USDA will announce details about the next round of coronavirus relief payments this week. During a stop in Iowa, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the rules will be announced before Friday’s deadline for enrolling in the current CFAP program. The…Perdue to Participate in MFBF Shop Talk
Published September 4, 2020
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will participate in the next Minnesota Farm Bureau online ‘Shop Talk’ program. Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap said Perdue likes the town hall format. The program is scheduled for noon on September 24.