Policy Articles
MFBF Update
Published March 12, 2019
Here’s the latest from the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. The Minnesota Legislative Session is moving fast and furious as the March 15 policy deadline approaches. Hear more from MFBF Director of Public Policy Amber Glaeser.Budget Proposal a Symbolic Gesture
Published March 12, 2019
President Trump is proposing cuts to USDA’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget. Combest, Sell and Associates partner and lobbyist Tom Sell said this is a symbolic gesture. "Congress has the constitutional authority to set the budget, but with a divided Congress,…Boost in ND Revenue Forecast
Published March 11, 2019
The North Dakota Office of Management and Budget released a revised revenue forecast Monday. The state is taking in more revenue than originally forecast November 2018. General fund revenues are estimated at $4.3 billion for the 2019-2021 biennium. That’s an…Property Taxes Still a Focus in SD Legislative Session
Published March 11, 2019
As the South Dakota legislative session winds down, property taxes are still getting attention. South Dakota Soybean Growers Association lobbyist Lorin Pankratz says there’s debate on how land is valued. “There will be some pilot projects this summer. They’ll review…Cuts Proposed to USDA FY20 Budget
Published March 11, 2019
As expected, President Trump is proposing cuts to USDA’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget. The proposed budget makes a near 15 percent reduction, or $3.6 billion decrease cut, in discretionary spending from the 2019 estimate for USDA. For mandatory programs, USDA…White House to Send USMCA to Congress Soon
Published March 11, 2019
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he will soon send the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to Congress. "We'll be submitting (it) to Congress very shortly and that's a great deal for the United States." Once Congress receives the trade agreement, it…USDA South American Production Estimates Mostly Unchanged
Published March 8, 2019
USDA reports Argentine corn production is at 46 million metric tons, unchanged from one month ago. This is also close to trade expectations. Soybean production is at 55 million metric tons, unchanged from one month ago and slightly below trade…Cattlemen’s Association Praises Gray Wolf Rulemaking
Published March 8, 2019
Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls says the current attempt at removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list is different than previous attempts. "This is working toward de-listing the wolf through rulemaking and not the legislative…ND Legislative Report
Published March 8, 2019
Two bills related to the farm home tax exemption are getting attention. Hear more in the North Dakota Legislative Report, sponsored by NDFB, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, North Dakota Corn Growers Association and North Dakota Farmers Union.