Latest News From John Herath

USDA Announces CFAP Changes, with Additional Payments Starting in April
USDA Announces CFAP Changes, with Additional Payments Starting in April

USDA will move forward with $20 per acre payments for price-trigger crops outlined in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) round three with checks going out starting in April.

Time is Running Out for Farmers to Apply for PPP Loans
Time is Running Out for Farmers to Apply for PPP Loans

Time is running out to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program.

Vilsack Focused on Farmer Profitability
Vilsack Focused on Farmer Profitability

In his opening days of his second stint as head of USDA, Tom Vilsack is focused on farmer profitability and opening markets to build that profitability.

Vilsack: CFAP Announcement Still Weeks Away
Vilsack: CFAP Announcement Still Weeks Away

USDA is still reviewing how it will disburse $15 billion in coronavirus aid.

Biden Immigration Reform Seen as Opportunity to Expand H2A
Biden Immigration Reform Seen as Opportunity to Expand H2A

House Democrats have introduced a sweeping immigration overhaul package called the U.S. Citizenship Act. The centerpiece is an 8-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

Job Approval Pulse Poll Shows Biden Has Big Hill to Climb with Ag
Job Approval Pulse Poll Shows Biden Has Big Hill to Climb with Ag

75% of Pulse respondents say they strongly disapprove of the job done by President Joe Biden so far.

Dairy to Push for Expanded H2A in Immigration Bill
Dairy to Push for Expanded H2A in Immigration Bill

House Democrats have introduced a sweeping immigration overhaul package called the U.S. Citizenship Act. The centerpiece is an 8-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

DC Signal to Noise
Signal to Noise: Biden Immigration Plan is Just the First Round of Negotiation

Is the Biden Administration immigration package just the starting point for negotiations? The DC Signal to Noise Podcast looks at what could be traded in the immigration talks.

Senate Ag Committee Approves Vilsack Confirmation for USDA
Senate Ag Committee Approves Vilsack Confirmation for USDA

Senate Agriculture Committee advances the nomination of Tom Vilsack as USDA Secretary to the full Senate.

Tom Vilsack testifies virtually before the Senate Agriculture Committee
Vilsack: Agriculture Poised for First and Best Wins on Climate

“I think agriculture is probably the first and best way to begin getting some wins in this climate area,” Vilsack says.

U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) speaks during a news conference in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2021. REUTERS/Al Drago
Sen. Stabenow Supports CFAP Freeze and Review

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) says she supports the Biden Administration’s move to freeze payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

Former USDA Secretary Dan Glickman
Former Sec. Glickman: USDA Needs to Be Assertive on Climate

Former USDA Secretary Dan Glickman calls on returning USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to be assertive on climate change policy.

Biden Administration to Focus on Climate, Dairy Already Leading the Way
Biden Administration to Focus on Climate, Dairy Already Leading the Way

Dairy producers are already ahead of that curve and have set sustainability goals that track with the Biden Administration objectives.

Rural Voters Reverse 2018 Blue Wave
Rural Voters Reverse 2018 Blue Wave

A key ag policy strategist says that rural voters reversed the 2018 "blue wave."

Pulse: In Campaign Home Stretch, Trump Holds Lock on Farm Vote
Pulse: In Campaign Home Stretch, Trump Holds Lock on Farm Vote

With just days remaining in the 2020 presidential campaign, farmers and ranchers responding to the Farm Journal Pulse continue to show a strong preference for retaining President Donald Trump.

Signal to Noise: It's Time to Worry About China
Signal to Noise: It's Time to Worry About China

The tit-for-tat closings of consulates between the U.S. and China and the stronger rhetoric coming from the Trump Administration this week are raising alarm bells for Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer.

CFAP Signup Starts Next Week
CFAP Signup Starts Next Week

President Donald Trump and USDA released the long-awaited rules for direct payments under the Coronavirus Food Aid Program (CFAP) at the White House Tuesday.

Signal to Noise: As We Wait for CFAP Rules
Signal to Noise: As We Wait for CFAP Rules

Look for new, higher payment caps when the Coronavirus Food Aid Program rules are announced.

The Small Business Administration has opened an ag-only window for economic injury loans.
Ag Business Only Window for EIDL Loans Open

The Small Business Administration (SBA) began accepting applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) exclusively for agricultural businesses on Monday.  

Signal to Noise: Farmers Will Need MFP 3.0. Will They Get It?
Signal to Noise: Farmers Will Need MFP 3.0. Will They Get It?

Ag leaders and economists plan to go to USDA next month armed with data on why farmers will need another Market Facilitation Program (MFP) in 2020, according to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer.

Phase 1 China Deal Signed Clearing Way for $80 Billion in Ag Purchases
Phase 1 China Deal Signed Clearing Way for $80 Billion in Ag Purchases

A phase one trade deal with China is official, clearing the way for America’s chief trade competitor to purchase $80 billion worth of U.S. agricultural goods over the next two years.

Signal to Noise: Dean Foods Bankruptcy to Alter Fluid Milk Control
Signal to Noise: Dean Foods Bankruptcy to Alter Fluid Milk Control

This week's DC Signal to Noise Podcas looks at how the Dean Foods bankruptcy could change the dairy industry in a live recording at the MILK Business Conference in Las Vegas.

Signal to Noise Exclusive: Peterson Says Time is Now for New Dairymen
Signal to Noise Exclusive: Peterson Says Time is Now for New Dairymen

In an exclusive interview with the DC Signal to Noise Podcast, House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson comments on some important farm, trade and energy policy issues, along with his potential re-election timeline.

President Donald Trump to comment on tariff aid program.
President Trump to Address Trade Aid Package

President Donald Trump will address farmers regarding his 2019 tariff aid plan.

USDA announces tariff aid package
New Tariff Aid Plan Offers Single Payment for All Non-Specialty Crops

USDA announced a new tariff aid plan that offers a single payment rate for all commodities.

Ocasio-Cortez Seeks Ag Data on Green New Deal
Ocasio-Cortez Seeks Ag Data on Green New Deal

An ag air quality expert is working to set the record straight for the Green New Deal put forward by freshman congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

FSA offices have reopened.
FSA Offices Back Open

All USDA county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices reopened today amid the partial government shutdown now in its fifth week.

FSA offices will reopen for limited service.
FSA Offices to Reopen for Limited Service

Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will reopen amid the partial government shutdown to provide loan and payment assistance for farmers and ranchers according to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue.

Watch Live: President Trump Addresses Farm Bureau
Watch Live: President Trump Addresses Farm Bureau

President Donald Trump will address the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention for the second straight year. Watch live.

Farm Bureau President: WOTUS Fight Not Over
Farm Bureau President: WOTUS Fight Not Over

"Ditch the rule" is being replaced by "clean water, clear rules."

MFP application deadline has been extended
USDA Delays Deadline for Tariff Relief Applications

USDA has extended the deadline for MFP applications.

President Donald Trump signs the 2018 Farm BIll
President Trump Signs Farm Bill

President Donald Trump signed H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act, better known as the 2018 Farm Bill, in a ceremony at USDA Thursday afternoon.

President Donald Trump
Trump Approval Sky High in Ag

While general polls peg President Donald Trump’s approval rating in the low forties, the latest Farm Journal Pulse on the president’s approval shows solid support among those in agriculture.

MFP payments should start before year's end, if there is no government shutdown.
MFP Checks Expected Before Year's End, Not Before Shutdown Deadline

Tariff aid payments under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) could face another delay as the federal government inches ever closer to a partial shutdown.

2019 Policy Outlook: Trade, Trade and Trade
2019 Policy Outlook: Trade, Trade and Trade

The most significant policy issue of 2018 looms large over the outlook for the new year. Ag leaders of both parties say actions on trade in the first half of 2019 will decide agriculture’s fate for years to come.

The farm bill passed the Senate
Senate Approves 2018 Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill quickly and easily crossed its first hurdle today as the Senate approved the measure on a 87 to 13 vote a day after the final conference report was made public.

EPA has released a new WOTUS rule.
EPA Rolls Back Clean Water Act Jurisdiction With New WOTUS Rule

EPA on Tuesday unveiled a new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition under the Clean Water Act designed to provide a clearer picture of what waters are and are not regulated by the federal government.

A Farm Bill Emerges With Bipartisan Support
A Farm Bill Emerges With Bipartisan Support

House and Senate negotiators Monday evening released the text of a farm bill that mostly makes tweaks to the provisions of the 2014 bill it replaces.

Farm bill deal reached
Breaking: Deal Reached on Farm Bill

House and Senate negotiators have reached a deal on a 2018 farm bill. That agreement now awaits scoring from the Congressional Budget Office to make sure it meets fiscal constraints for farm bill funding.

House passes farm bill on second vote.
BREAKING: House Passes Farm Bill 213-211

BREAKING NEWS: The House passed the farm bill Thursday after taking a second vote on the measure. It passed on a 213-211 party-line vote

The farm bill was defeated in the House Friday.
Farm Bill Falls on House Floor

The 2018 farm bill was brought down by the Freedom Caucus in a House vote Friday.

Republicans passed the farm bill out of the House Agriculture Committee over objections from Democrats.
Farm Bill Clears House Committee on Partisan Vote

Despite vocal opposition from Democrats on the panel, a Republican draft of the farm bill was passed out of the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday on a party line vote.

House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson lashes out at Republican farm bill text.
Peterson: No Farm Bill Amendments, ‘Can’t Put Lipstick on a Pig’

House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson lashes out at Republican farm bill text.

President Donald Trump maintains broad support across farm country.
Trump Maintains Strong Support From Agriculture

President Donald Trump maintains broad support across farm country.

President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union address.
How Will Trump's America First Speech Impact Ag Exports and Labor?

President Donald Trump sounded a nationalist tone in his 'America First' State of the Union address. How will that impact ag trade and labor?

President Donald Trump with AFBF President Zippy Duvall
Trump Signs Rural Broadband Executive Orders at FB Convention

President Donald Trump addressed the 2018 Farm Bureau Convention in Nashville.

Legal Battles Continue Over Sexed Semen
Legal Battles Continue Over Sexed Semen

A battle is brewing in the U.S. over new technologies designed to make sure only milk-producing cows are born.