Policy Articles

Preparing for a Biotech Labeling Rule

Published April 24, 2018

Under a law passed in 2016, USDA must establish standards for food products containing GMO ingredients. The rule is supposed to be finalized by the end of July, but it appears USDA will not meet that deadline. Russell Group President…

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NAFTA Discussions “Going Well”

Published April 24, 2018

Gregg Doud, Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, assured reporters in Washington D.C. that the North American Free Trade Agreement discussions are going well. “There are a lot of conversations being had. We need to…

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Multiple Bills Tackle Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule

Published April 23, 2018

Bills intended to stop the Minnesota Department of Agriculture from implementing the nitrogen fertilizer rule are moving on a few different paths. AgriGrowth lobbyist Cory Bennett says a stand-alone bill has passed in the House and is on its way…

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Will A Farm Bill Get Passed?

Published April 23, 2018

There's one big unknown with the farm bill, will there be enough votes to pass on the House floor? "I'm skeptical of that," said Dan Wogsland, executive director, North Dakota Grain Growers Association. "I don’t think they can get a…

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Conaway ‘Working on Votes’ for Farm Bill

Published April 23, 2018

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway is working to get votes for his version of the farm bill. Russell Group President Randy Russell is keeping an eye on Congress and the support for the farm bill. “If you would have…

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Rural Mainstreet Index Impacted by Trade Concerns

Published April 23, 2018

The Rural Mainstreet Index, which measures the economic outlook in rural America, was impacted by rural bankers who expressed concerns about trade tensions and their effect on the farm economy. Seventy-six percent of rural bankers said export markets are very…

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Improvements Needed in Infrastructure Funding Process

Published April 22, 2018

A study commissioned by the Soy Transportation Coalition and conducted by Texas A&M University shows improvements can be made in how infrastructure repair money is spent. STC Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says improvement can be made on the cost side…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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