News Archives
California delays Prop 12 enforcement until end of 2023 following court action
Implementation of California's Proposition 12 was delayed by six months when a judge in Sacramento County Superior Court agreed to move the deadline from July 1 to Dec. 31, after the Supreme Court upheld the animal-welfare law in May.
USDA approves companies for cultivated chicken production
The Biden administration has issued the first approvals for cell-cultivated meat production in the United States, offering the green light for two companies to start producing chicken for human consumption.

Wisconsin's governor signs $150 million ag roads bill
Legislation providing 150 million dollars in one-time state funding from the budget surplus to improve agriculturally important local roads that are often posted with weight limits has been signed into law.

Budzinski introduces Rebuild Rural America Act
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced the Rebuild Rural America Act — comprehensive legislation to address the challenges specific to rural America and make it easier for these communities to access federal funding on the path to economic revitalization.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, NASA advance exploration, science
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed a memorandum of understanding strengthening the collaboration between the two agencies, including efforts to improve agricultural and Earth science research, technology, and agricultural management, and the application of science data and models to agricultural decision making.

EPA lowers corn ethanol, advanced biofuels RFS volumes from proposed numbers
Biofuels interest groups expressed disappointment Wednesday after the EPA finalized a multi-year Renewable Fuel Standard that reduces volumes from proposed levels for both advanced biofuels and corn ethanol.
Ernst, Stabenow counter Chinese acquisition of U.S. agricultural land
Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, are taking action to overhaul the current system that has allowed China’s malign influence to threaten American food security and national security by buying up agricultural land in the United States.
.jpeg?width=320)
House GOP effort to cut USDA debt relief faces uphill legislative battle
Farmers going through difficult times financially would have fewer options for assistance if House Republicans’ spending plan for fiscal 2024 were to become law.

55% of U.S. corn, 54% of soybeans good to excellent
U.S. corn and soybean condition ratings declined over the past week. That followed another round of generally hot and dry weather in some key U.S. growing areas.

Producers can now go "whole hog" on new heat stress app for pigs
HotHog, a new smartphone application ("app") that predicts heat stress in pigs, is now available for download and use, a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists announced last week.

Mississippi River levels falling due to heat and little to no rain
On May 20, the Mississippi River in St. Paul was cresting for the second time at major flood stage. On June 19, the river is at 3.36 feet above zero gauge and a similar scene is playing out in much of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) above St. Louis.
Farm Bill negotiations over funding, nutrition and crop insurance ramp up
As 2023 Farm Bill negotiations continue to ramp up, some Congressional lawmakers say the legislation faces an uphill battle.

USDA recognizes National Pollinator Week
During the week of June 19 – 25, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is recognizing National Pollinator Week through the continued commitment and support for pollinator health and research.

Dairy Farmers of America withdraws from IDFA over FMMO proposal
Dairy Farmers of America, a major dairy cooperative with 83 processing facilities, had decided to withdraw its membership from the International Dairy Foods Association over IDFA’s decision to proceed with its single-issue petition to modify the federal milk marketing order system.

Purdue to receive data on 1,200 soybean varieties from breeders in 11 states
In recent years, Purdue University’s Katy Rainey and Keith Cherkauer have worked to predict soybean biomass from drone imagery in Indiana.

Concerns about increasing drought in Corn Belt mounting, some optimism lies ahead
The U.S. Drought Monitor update Thursday morning pointed to drought increasing across much of the Corn Belt, despite some areas of showers that moved through last weekend and early this week. Heavier rains fell across parts of eastern Wisconsin through Ohio and Pennsylvania after the cutoff time for the Drought Monitor, which may come into play next week.

CLAAS agrees to AFBF MOU
CLAAS of America has joined several farm equipment manufacturers in signing a memorandum of understanding with the American Farm Bureau Federation to give farmers the right to repair their own equipment.

Senate committee paves quicker pathway for novel feed ingredients
A Senate committee advanced a reauthorization bill for animal drug user fees Thursday after adopting an amendment to speed reviews of feed ingredients that can address environmental concerns or make livestock production more efficient.

Biden-Harris Administration partners with agricultural producers to strengthen markets and create jobs for producers in 19 states
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making investments that will create new and better markets for agricultural producers and food businesses in 19 states across rural America.

Grassley, colleagues reintroduce bill to preserve interstate ag trade
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) in reintroducing the Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act.

West Coast port labor deal provides certainty for exports
A tentative agreement has been reached to end 13 months of labor talks between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, easing concerns about supply chain disruptions.

House GOP advances USDA funding bill after softening blow to electric co-ops
House Democrats accused Republicans of breaking the debt ceiling agreement by advancing a fiscal 2024 spending bill for USDA and FDA that would cut funding to near FY22 levels while also relying on funding rescissions that have little chance of being enacted.

Walmart taking next steps to develop end-to-end supply chain strategy for beef
Walmart has announced plans to build the company's first owned and operated case-ready beef facility, which will be built in Olathe, Kansas, starting later this year.
Climb in consumer food spending signals continued inflationary pressure
Reported food spending has increased to its highest level since the Consumer Food Insights Report began surveying in January 2022, possibly leaving consumers feeling little relief from inflation.

Massey wins 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
Jacob Massey, from Petersburg, Tenn., was named champion at the 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The championship, now in its 59th year, was held at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fla., and presented by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA).
.jpg?width=320)
EPA, Growth Energy announce last-minute delay in release of RFS volumes
EPA will have one more week to finalize a multi-year Renewable Fuel Standard proposal after Growth Energy agreed to a stipulation in a previous consent decree hammered out in court with the agency.
Grassley "increasingly concerned" about on-time farm bill
A U.S. Senator is becoming more skeptical about an on-time farm bill.

High-stakes battle over tax policy begins with key expensing provisions at stake
Two tax breaks that are widely used in agriculture are at stake as Republicans and Democrats renew what is likely to be a multi-year battle over tax policy.


