Policy Articles
Retroactive Waiver Relief Concerns SD Corn Industry
Published August 6, 2020
According to a Reuters report, the U.S. Department of Energy is recommending partial relief for oil refiners applying for retroactive waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard. There are nearly 60 pending retroactive waiver requests for 2011 to 2018 at the…Shutdown Order for DAPL Reversed
Published August 6, 2020
The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled the Dakota Access Pipeline can continue operating while the courts determine if an environmental impact statement is needed. A month ago, a district court judge ordered the pipeline to shut down and be…Lawmakers Seek Relief for Sheep/Lamb Industry
Published August 6, 2020
A bipartisan group of House members, including Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Ranking Member Michael Conaway, are asking USDA to help lamb and sheep producers hurt by COVID-related market losses. This action follows the closure of the second largest…U.S. and China to Review Phase One Trade Deal
Published August 5, 2020
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will connect by videoconference August 15th to review implementation of the phase one trade deal. Tension between the two countries has built up since the trade agreement was signed.…AFBF Economist: CFAP Payments Starting to Slow
Published August 4, 2020
The USDA has distributed $6.8 billion to farmers in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program assistance so far. With four weeks left in the sign up, American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist John Newton said at least 50 percent of the first…MFBF Update
Published August 4, 2020
While there was no pork chop on a stick or a pancake breakfast, the Farmfest forums still took place virtually. Hear more from Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap in the MFBF Update.Project Proposed to Reduce Flood Damage in Roseau Lake Basin
Published August 3, 2020
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Roseau River Watershed District are proposing to purchase farmland and water easements south of the Roseau Lake Basin. Watershed District administrator Tracy Halstensgard says Roseau Lake was drained in the early 1900s…Klobuchar: Differing Views for Nutrition, Cost and USDA Implementation
Published August 3, 2020
An agreement wasn't reached on a new COVID-19 relief package last week so negotiations will continue this week. When it comes to agriculture, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar says there are a few hang-ups in the Senate’s bill: differing views on…House Lawmakers on Recess, Waiting for COVID-19 Deal
Published August 3, 2020
The House is currently on recess, but lawmakers will be ready to go back to Washington D.C. for a vote on a COVID-19 relief package once an agreement is reached. "I've seen this happen a few times before in my…