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Farm Bill Vote Complicated by Busy Congressional Schedule
Published December 17, 2023
With a full congressional calendar and the continuing resolution for agriculture appropriations expiring in mid-January, James Callan Associates President Jim Callan says it will be a challenge for lawmakers to meet that deadline. The appropriations process has been divided into…Ag is Playing Defense
Published December 16, 2023
With the metro-rural split in the Minnesota Legislature, agricultural lobbyist Bruce Kleven believes agriculture will be playing defense in the 2024 legislative session. "A lot of things got done in the ag world this year with the increase in the ag…Thiesse to Remain Involved in Agriculture After Retirement
Published December 13, 2023
Kent Thiesse spent 27 years in Extension and another 20 years as an ag lender in southern Minnesota. At the end of the year, Thiesse will retire from the day-to-day work at the bank. During his career, Thiesse has seen everything…A New World Record Corn Yield
Published December 13, 2023
The results are in for the National Corn Yield Contest. The top yield overall is 623 bushels per acre. Virginia farmer David Hula shattered his previous record yield of 542 bushels per acre. In the state contests, Al Fox of…Ag Pushes Back on Potential Trade War
Published December 13, 2023
Members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party have issued a report on U.S.-China relations. According to Politico, farm-state lawmakers were able to reduce the most critical language about China. The concern is China would retaliate against…Farm Groups Defend Normal Trade Relations Status with China
Published December 13, 2023
Farmers for Free Trade and 15 other major agriculture groups are defending Permanent Normal Trade Relations status with China. With increased tensions between the two countries, lawmakers are considering the revocation of that trade status. This coalition is asking Congress…Vilsack Highlights U.S. Climate Leadership
Published December 11, 2023
Rather than being on the defense, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the ag and food industry has been able to flip the script at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai. Vilsack highlighted the voluntary, market-based initiatives within agriculture…A Fresh Look at the Ag Retailer-Farmer Relationship
Published December 9, 2023
Farming has been in a state of constant change since the beginning of time. That evolution includes big farms getting bigger. "The average age of the farmer has actually dropped a little and that's because of retirements and baby boomers…Watne Participates in COP28
Published December 8, 2023
North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne is in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference. Watne is part of a delegation of rural farm organizations, representing the National Farmers Union. "We can be part of a solution but farmers and…