Policy Articles
Optimism for Milk Pricing Reform
Published January 6, 2024
Menahga, Minnesota dairy farmer Kristine Spadgenske testified during the federal milk marketing order hearing in September and is excited about the continued interest in this process. “It means that people care,” said Spadgenske. “We’ve had a record number of dairy…California Proposes Tougher Low Carbon Fuel Standards
Published January 6, 2024
According to the Energy Information Administration, nearly all of the renewable diesel produced in the United States is used in California. The California Air Resources Board has a comment period open to consider changes to its low-carbon fuel standards. “They…Border Influences All Debate in DC
Published January 6, 2024
Russell Group President Randy Russell expects the border situation to influence any major policy debate in Congress, including the farm bill. “Funding the government for the rest of the year is priority number one.” If that can be accomplished with…FAFSA Change Impacts Farmers and Small Businesses
Published January 5, 2024
An attempt to simplify the government’s student aid process could make college more costly for farm families. Thanks to an omnibus bill that passed this past year included the change in the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.…No Timeline for Interest Rate Cuts
Published January 4, 2024
The minutes from the mid-December Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting have been released. They indicate some Fed officials were worried about leaving interest rates elevated for too long. Others said the situation may warrant keeping the target rate at…Missouri Takes Action on Foreign Farmland Ownership
Published January 3, 2024
Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed an executive order banning China and other foreign adversaries from owning farmland within ten miles of a military facility. This issue began when China’s FuFeng Group announced plans to build a corn processing plant in…EATS Bill Will Be Reintroduced
Published January 3, 2024
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is reintroducing the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression or EATS Act. This proposal would undo California’s Proposition 12 legislation that limits the confinement of breeding pigs, veal calves, and egg-laying hens. Grassley said the California law will…Federal Order Reform Hearing to Resume
Published January 3, 2024
USDA will reconvene its public hearing to consider changes to the federal milk marketing orders on January 16. This hearing process began in late August near Indianapolis. Significant changes have not been made to the federal orders in more than…The Impact of Prop 12 and Question 3
Published January 1, 2024
Enforcement is now underway for California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3. Pork sold in California will have to come from farms that are audited and certified as Prop 12-compliant. The Massachusetts rule is similar, but it also includes pork…