Policy Articles
Mexico and EU Sign Trade Deal
Published April 22, 2018
The European Union and Mexico have come to terms on a new free trade agreement. Nearly all products, including agriculture and food products, will be duty-free. With the fate of the NAFTA trade talks an uncertainty, Mexico sees the EU…Senators Challenge EPA Waivers
Published April 21, 2018
A bipartisan group of farm-state senators has asked the EPA to stop issuing waivers that allow oil refiners to forego the biofuels mandate. The senators said the recent rash of waivers undermines the Renewable Fuel Standard. This effort is being…NDCGA Looks to the Senate for Farm Bill Adjustments
Published April 21, 2018
In the view of North Dakota Corn Growers Association Executive Director Dale Ihry, there are positive adjustments made to the ARC-county provisions in the House Agriculture Committee farm bill, including the use of RMA data. The reduction in base acres…Farm Bill Cuts to Specialty Crop Research Program
Published April 20, 2018
Most of the programs related to specialty crops don’t have funding increases in the proposed House farm bill. Rather that status quo, National Potato Council Senior Director of Public Policy Kam Quarles says there are cuts in the specialty crop…Farm Bill Discussion “A Familiar Dance”
Published April 20, 2018
A new farm bill will face many hurdles and an extension remains a possibility. If the legislation goes into 2019, Cook Political Report House Editor David Wasserman says politics could be the reason. “There will be differences between the House…Rounds Expresses Disappointment in Farm Bill Partisanship
Published April 19, 2018
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds expressed disappointment in the partisanship seen in the House farm bill debate. Rounds says there’s a real desire in the Senate to get something done. “We could really do some good things in the farm…Peterson Calls Farm Bill “Flawed”
Published April 19, 2018
Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway wants to bring the farm bill to the full House in the first week of May, emphasizing the need to get the bill done on a timely basis. During Wednesday's hearing, Ranking Member Collin Peterson…Dayton Administration Revises Nitrogen Rule Timeline
Published April 19, 2018
Legislative language that restricts the rule-making authority of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is advancing in multiple bills. If passed, it would prohibit implementation of the nitrogen fertilizer rule without approval from the Legislature. Agriculture Department Director of Legislative Affairs…Farm Groups React to House Farm Bill
Published April 18, 2018
The approval of the farm bill in the House Agriculture Committee received praise from many of the largest farm organizations. The bill’s passage was also an opportunity for these groups to highlight policy priorities. The National Association of Wheat Growers…