Policy Articles
Sugarbeet Processors Welcome Bladow’s Return
Published May 1, 2020
The U.S. Beet Sugar Association has named Cassie Bladow as its new president. Most recently, Bladow was the chief of staff for North Dakota Senator John Hoeven. Before that, Bladow was the USBSA vice president. Bladow is a Minnesota native…Hoeven Names New Chief of Staff
Published May 1, 2020
Tony Eberhard will serve as the new chief of staff for North Dakota Senator John Hoeven. Eberhard was Hoeven’s deputy chief of staff and legislative director until 2017 and comes with 14 years of Capitol Hill experience. For the past…U.S. Considers Trade Retaliation Against China
Published May 1, 2020
The U.S. is investigating the source of the coronavirus and what China did to prevent the spread of the disease. "China is buying billions of dollars worth of our products, farm products and other products, and it is a good…Officials Explore Ways to Address Plant Closures
Published April 30, 2020
A task force is being created to get processing plants back up and running while providing support for workers and farmers. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson says he will also work to change a statute in the Commodity Credit…Lawsuit Filed Over New WOTUS Rule
Published April 30, 2020
Environmental activist groups have filed a federal lawsuit, challenging the new Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule updates the Waters of the United States. The lawsuit claims the public was not given enough opportunity to provide feedback. The environmental groups…R-CALF Seeking Mandatory COOL
Published April 30, 2020
In a one week period, R-CALF USA secured 250,000 signatures in its petition drive for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, pork and dairy products. With this response, R-CALF has established a crowdfunding page to raise money for promotion and lobbying…Trump Discusses Reopening of Packing Plants
Published April 30, 2020
President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue spoke with farm leaders and meat company executives Wednesday. The phone conversation centered on the use of the Defense Production Act to reopen meatpacking plants. Trump referenced that…Packing Plants, COOL and More Addressed in MFU Webinar
Published April 29, 2020
Minnesota Farmers Union hosted a webinar to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic with its members. One portion of the webinar focused on supply chain challenges. "With the large meat packing plants shutting down, it really shows the insecurity of our food…Rounds: Executive Order Helps Food Supply Chain
Published April 29, 2020
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds is pleased with the decision to reopen meat processing plants. "We've got producers who have had to euthanize livestock. We have about 35 percent of our pork processing capabilities in an idle position and 25…