Latest News From Policy

Will Europe's Farmer Protests Make Their Way To The U.S.?
Will Europe's Farmer Protests Make Their Way To The U.S.?

Steve Cubbage says the upcoming farm bill could decide if the U.S. gets a taste for Europe's recent farmer protests.

Alternative Proposals to the Higher-of Are a Win for Dairy
Alternative Proposals to the Higher-of Are a Win for Dairy

The dairy industry has fundamentally changed in the last 25 years and the current FMMO system is not supporting growth and prosperity across the dairy supply chain. Now is the time to allows USDA to figure this all out.

Dairy Leaders Outline Next Steps in FMMO Hearings
Dairy Leaders Outline Next Steps in FMMO Hearings

After months Federal Milk Marketing Order hearings unfolding, dairy leaders are still doing what they can to advocate for U.S. dairy farmers. USDA is considering forty proposals that were submitted by stakeholders.

NASDA Supports Access to Approved Vaccine Technologies
NASDA Supports Access to Approved Vaccine Technologies

NASDA supports farmers and ranchers’ ability to safeguard animal health through the responsible use of vaccines.

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Elects New Officers
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Elects New Officers

Cattle producers Andy Bishop of Kentucky, Ryan Moorhouse of Texas and Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst of Oklahoma are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB).

New Ways To Address Healthcare Issues Are Needed For Rural Americans
New Ways To Address Healthcare Issues Are Needed For Rural Americans

From improved telehealth services to reimagined small-town hospitals, the National Rural Health Association is working to help folks in farm country tap into more and better medical care options.

Which Foreign Country Owns the Most Farmland in the U.S.? Hint: It's Not China
Which Foreign Country Owns the Most Farmland in the U.S.? Hint: It's Not China

In October 2023, Arkansas became the first state to ban foreign-owned farmland. More states look to adopt similar laws, but one policy expert says the issue is rooted in politics and warns of unintended consequences.

Big News: House Passes Bill to Bring Whole Milk Back to School Menus
Big News: House Passes Bill to Bring Whole Milk Back to School Menus

More than a decade after banning whole and reduced-fat milk from being served during school lunches, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in support of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

 House Passes Bill to Preserve Veterinary Use of Xylazine 
House Passes Bill to Preserve Veterinary Use of Xylazine 

 The House of Representatives passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act on Tuesday. It will help fight illicit use of the product in humans while preserving access to the drug for animals.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals the Final COP28 Declaration Will Not Focus on Agriculture and Food
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Reveals the Final COP28 Declaration Will Not Focus on Agriculture and Food

COP28's decision to not include food and agriculture as a way to meet climate goals was influenced by a request from the G77 group of developing countries for additional review related to agriculture and food.

USDA May Now Face Court Challenge in Its Implementation of ERP for 2022 Losses
USDA May Now Face Court Challenge in Its Implementation of ERP for 2022 Losses

 Some Republican House and Senate members have expressed their concerns to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, particularly regarding the new payment formula used for ERP in 2022.

Global Dairy Companies Announce Alliance to Cut Methane at COP28
Global Dairy Companies Announce Alliance to Cut Methane at COP28

Six of the world's largest dairy companies will soon begin disclosing their methane emissions as part of a new global alliance launched at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on Tuesday.

Twenty Years Overdue? Why Producers Are Pushing for These 7 Major Changes to FMMO
Twenty Years Overdue? Why Producers Are Pushing for These 7 Major Changes to FMMO

The Federal Milk Marketing Orders haven't seen a major overhaul since 2000, and dairy farmers say it's past time for a change.

U.S. Ag Chief Seeking 'Creative' Ways to Sell Dairy in Canada After Trade Dispute Loss
U.S. Ag Chief Seeking 'Creative' Ways to Sell Dairy in Canada After Trade Dispute Loss

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Biden administration is looking for "creative" ways to sell more U.S. dairy products in Canada.

U.S. Dairy Organizations Say the Recent USMCA Announcement is Major Setback
U.S. Dairy Organizations Say the Recent USMCA Announcement is Major Setback

Dairy organizations are disheartened by USMCA's dispute panel which is allowing Canada to restrict dairy access to the United States and weakens the agreement’s value for the U.S. dairy industry.

USMCA Trade Panel Rejects U.S. Complaint About Access to Canada Dairy Market
USMCA Trade Panel Rejects U.S. Complaint About Access to Canada Dairy Market

A trade dispute settlement panel set up under a major North American free trade agreement has rejected a U.S. complaint that Canada is improperly limiting access to its dairy market.

Senator Urges USDA to Take Action on Nation’s Milk Carton Shortage
Senator Urges USDA to Take Action on Nation’s Milk Carton Shortage

Schools across the nation have a crisis on their hands – a milk carton shortage that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. But could the USDA provide assistance? One U.S. Senator thinks so.

As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension
As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension

An extension of the current farm bill is now a reality. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders were able to extend the current legislation as a possible government shutdown looms.

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely
Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

Senate and House Leaders Call for Farm Bill Extension
Senate and House Leaders Call for Farm Bill Extension

Rep. Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee, continues to express optimism about passing a new farm bill in December in the House of Representatives. But he says an extension of the current farm bill is needed.

The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill
The Ag Economy Is Healthy, And That's One Reason Economists Think It Could Be 2025 Before We See A New Farm Bill

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

The U.S. And Europe Are At Odds Over Trump-Era Tariffs, And It's Now Causing Strained Relations
The U.S. And Europe Are At Odds Over Trump-Era Tariffs, And It's Now Causing Strained Relations

While the U.S. and EU aim to make progress during an upcoming summit, reaching a final agreement is uncertain. This issue has significant implications for U.S./EU ties, climate goals, and geopolitics.

House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension
House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension

Work by the House or Senate Agriculture Committee on a new farm bill is essentially stalled, Randy Russell tells AgriTalk's Chip Flory. Russell says that could be the case until government funding issues are resolved.

Trade Relations Between the U.S. and China Just Got Even More Complicated
Trade Relations Between the U.S. and China Just Got Even More Complicated

China's Commerce minister expressed concerns over trade and tech restrictions to U.S. Senate Majority Leader this week. That's as the U.S. Commerce Department added 42 more Chinese companies to the export blacklist.

Is A Recession Imminent? Here Are The Red Flags Ag Economists Are Now Watching
Is A Recession Imminent? Here Are The Red Flags Ag Economists Are Now Watching

While ag economists continue to be at odds when it comes to the likelihood of a recession in the U.S., some doubt the country's biggest importers will be able to avoid a recession over the next 18 months.

The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill
The Government Didn't Shut Down, And That's Good News For The Farm Bill

With the government funding in place for now, work on a new farm bill can continue, with the same questions (timing, funding, Title 1 reform, etc.) still being unanswered. 

Veterinarian
Need A Veterinarian In Your Area? Then Support This Legislation Now

Less than 5% of new grads choose rural food animal practice. That needs to change to protect the U.S. food supply and public health. Contacting legislators is one way farmers and ranchers can weigh in and help.

U.S. House Votes to Reject Attack on Checkoffs
U.S. House Votes to Reject Attack on Checkoffs

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming rejected a proposal on Wednesday that would have barred USDA from operating commodity checkoff programs.

Crude Awakening: Rising Oil Prices Complicate Fed's Rate-Hike Decisions
Crude Awakening: Rising Oil Prices Complicate Fed's Rate-Hike Decisions

As brent crude futures soar toward $100, it's creating a new battle in the Federal Reserve's effort to fight inflation. One money manager warns another rate hike is likely. 

Could It Be Two Years Before Farmers See a New Farm Bill? The Ugly Truth About the Fight Over Funding
Could It Be Two Years Before Farmers See a New Farm Bill? The Ugly Truth About the Fight Over Funding

Members of Congress are currently in disagreement over how long it will take to get a new farm bill finished, which is why one ag economist fears it could take two years to finally see a new Farm Bill.

Senators Push FDA to Ban Lab-Grown Dairy Alternatives from Using Dairy Terms
Senators Push FDA to Ban Lab-Grown Dairy Alternatives from Using Dairy Terms

U.S. Senators are calling out the FDA, pushing them to ban lab-grown dairy alternatives from utilizing dairy terms to label non-dairy products.

USDA Launches Milk Loss Assistance Program for Qualifying Weather Events
USDA Launches Milk Loss Assistance Program for Qualifying Weather Events

Assistance will be available to dairy operations that had to dump or remove milk without compensation from the commercial milk market due to qualifying weather events during the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Proposed Legislation Seeks to Analyze Livestock Industry Consolidation
Proposed Legislation Seeks to Analyze Livestock Industry Consolidation

The Livestock Consolidation Research Act would direct a study on the impact of livestock industry consolidation, and a report about how this has affected new market entrants, access to resources and purchasing power.

John Phipps: Trying to Explain the Unexplainable in China
John Phipps: Trying to Explain the Unexplainable in China

China's GDP growth could possibly drop lower than the U.S. this year. In fact, fewer and fewer sectors are healthy, and only then by direct government intervention.

EPA’s New WOTUS Rules: What Producers Need to Know About
EPA’s New WOTUS Rules: What Producers Need to Know About

Waters of the U.S. rules have evolved many times in the past 50 years. EPA announced another round of changes on Tuesday, following a May Supreme Court ruling that required EPA to revise the definition.

$19 Billion Ag Trade Deficit Expected for FY 2023
$19 Billion Ag Trade Deficit Expected for FY 2023

USDA on Thursday lowered expectations for both ag exports and imports in FY 2023. The export decline is linked to corn and wheat, while the import decline is correlated with easing prices.

Federal Milk Marketing Order Hearing Start This Week, Sign Up Now to Testify
Federal Milk Marketing Order Hearing Start This Week, Sign Up Now to Testify

Beginning Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. EST in Carmell, Ind., the USDA Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearing will start considering proposals to amend the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 FMMO orders. 

Buckle Up: Dispute Panel Called to Action by US in Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban
Buckle Up: Dispute Panel Called to Action by US in Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban

“Mexico’s decree, which runs counter to scientific findings and is in direct violation of USMCA, is negatively impacting American corn growers,” said Tom Haag, NCGA president.

New Bill Excuses Illinois Youth from School Absence to Attend 4-H and FFA Events
New Bill Excuses Illinois Youth from School Absence to Attend 4-H and FFA Events

Just in time for school to start, in the midst of the Illinois State Fair, students across the state will no longer be penalized for participating in a 4-H or FFA event.

Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System
Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sherrod Brown have introduced the Farm Program Integrity Act. It would create a cap of $250,000 in commodity support for a single farm operation and, potentially, some undesirable side effects.

Broadband Bill Would Push Internet to Every “Last Acre” in Rural America
Broadband Bill Would Push Internet to Every “Last Acre” in Rural America

“Producers looking to adopt precision ag technologies need network connectivity that extends far past their residences. They need to be able to make real-time decisions that increase yields," says Sen. Fischer (R-Neb.).

Senate Votes to Limit Foreign Land Ownership
Senate Votes to Limit Foreign Land Ownership

Roughly 37.6 million acres of U.S. ag land is foreign owned, according to USDA. However, select purchases of U.S. land could come to an end following a Senate vote this week.

Major CRP Changes Could be Coming in the Farm Bill
Major CRP Changes Could be Coming in the Farm Bill

House Republicans, particularly on the House Ag Committee, are debating changes to the Conservation Reserve Program as part of the upcoming farm bill reauthorization.

WOTUS Meetings on the Calendar with New Recommendations in Tow
WOTUS Meetings on the Calendar with New Recommendations in Tow

EPA has been asked to exclude ditches from the definition of federal waters, include wetlands when they can't be distinguished from navigable waters, and erase the independent interstate waters and wetlands category.

Dairy Policy Hearing Set to Address the Federal Milk Marketing Order
Dairy Policy Hearing Set to Address the Federal Milk Marketing Order

The hearing, which will take place in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, Indiana, could potentially result in the first significant reform of milk marketing orders since 2000.

Leading Dairy Leaders Ready to Participate in FMMO Hearing
Leading Dairy Leaders Ready to Participate in FMMO Hearing

There are 22 proposals for consideration during the Federal Milk Marketing Order system hearing process that will be assembled on Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. EST in Carmell, Ind.

John Phipps: Are Farmers Losing Interest in the Farm Bill?
John Phipps: Are Farmers Losing Interest in the Farm Bill?

Farm Bill discussions and debates don't pack as much drama for producers. According to JohnPhipps, there's an unspoken realization that the Farm Bill doesn’t have the same influence on the farm economy it once did.

New Farmland Bill Would Create a Public Database for Foreign Land Ownership
New Farmland Bill Would Create a Public Database for Foreign Land Ownership

The Farmland Security Act of 2023 seeks to further boost transparency in foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

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Organic Milk Producers Look to Differentiate from Traditional Milk

Organic dairy farmers emphasized the need for consideration of an organic exemption in any forthcoming federal order hearing, citing the current system as insupportable for their industry.

Preliminary Trade Agreement Between U.S., Taiwan Garners Approval from Senate
Preliminary Trade Agreement Between U.S., Taiwan Garners Approval from Senate

The leaders also drafted a proposed legislation earlier this month that promises treaty-like benefits for businesses seeking cross-border investment opportunities via the tax code.