Policy Articles
Omnibus Tax Bill Passes MN House
Published May 1, 2018
The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed the omnibus tax bill. This bill aligns the state tax code to address the changes past at the federal level. For farmers, this bill conforms to the federal 179 expensing allowance, allowing individual…Looking for a Farm Bill Consensus
Published April 30, 2018
Agricultural Retailers Association Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton is hoping there will be consensus with lawmakers as the farm bill moves forward. “In the Senate, it's my understanding they’re trying to work in a bipartisan…New USDA Administrators On-the-Job This Week
Published April 30, 2018
Monday afternoon, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will swear in five new USDA administrators. Foreign Agricultural Services Administrator Ken Isley, Risk Management Agency Administrator Martin Barbre, Rural Housing Authority Administrator Joel Baxley, Rural Utilities Service Administrator Ken Johnson and Rural Business-Cooperative…A Dynamic Time for Renewable Fuels
Published April 30, 2018
National Farmers Union Biofuels Adviser Anne Steckel describes this as a dynamic time for renewable fuels. The Environmental Protection Agency must release a proposal for the Renewable Fuel Standard, which will likely come out in July. Certain parts of the…Year-Round Use of E15 Will Take Time
Published April 30, 2018
President Trump wants up to a 15 percent ethanol blend to be sold year-round, but it will take at least one year to implement. “If we rush things along and don’t get sued, hopefully, we’ll be able to sell E15…Diverse Coalition Supports Crop Insurance
Published April 30, 2018
A coalition of 65 agriculture groups submitted a letter to every member of Congress, seeking support for crop insurance. This coalition opposes any amendments that would limit participation in crop insurance, make insurance more expensive during the current economic downturn…Appeal Expected in Nuisance Lawsuit
Published April 30, 2018
A large hog farm in North Carolina plans to appeal a nuisance case in which neighbors complained about odor and noise problems. A federal jury awarded the compensatory damages of $750,000 and punitive damages of $50 million. The National Pork…Conservative Caucus Seeks Farm Bill Cuts
Published April 30, 2018
A conservative caucus within the House, known as the Republican Study Committee, has released a budget proposal that would gut major portions of the farm bill. In addition to food stamp reform, the proposal calls for the elimination of commodity…GOP Caucus Supports SNAP Reforms
Published April 27, 2018
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway met with the Republican caucus Friday morning and outlined his farm bill proposal. The Democrats on the agriculture committee are opposed to Conaway’s plan for SNAP and the nutrition title, but North Dakota Congressman…