A group of Republican lawmakers Wednesday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan calling for changes to Section 199A in the tax code. The group of more than 80 lawmakers says the changes will restore the competitive balance in the agricultural marketplace. Led by Iowa Representative David Young, the group says the changes …
Total Number of U.S. Farms Down In 2017
USDA’s latest look at how many farms were in our country reveals a decrease from the previous year. Rod Bain has the details. Total Number of U.S. Farms Down In 2017 Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
FTC Nominee Pledges to Look Closely at Ag Mergers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would take a look at past merger deals to see if regulators were too easy on the companies involved. That’s the promise of Joseph Simons, the White House nominee for FTC Chairman. Simons said during a Senate confirmation hearing, he would direct a formal study of closed deals, including some in the agriculture industry. He …
Trump Budget Proposal Considered “DOA”
Presidential budget proposals have been dead on arrival before. However, the Hagstrom Report says no budget outline has been as dead as the one President Trump sent to members of Congress on Monday. No one in the entire American food chain seems happy with what they’ve seen. Everyone, from members of Congress to farm leaders, crop insurance executives, as well …
What’s New For Crop Insurance?
Producers are encouraged to find out what’s new for crop insurance this year before the upcoming deadlines. Stephanie Ho has the story. What’s New For Crop Insurance?-1 Rob Johansson, Acting Deputy Under-secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, explains why crop insurance is an important part of the farm safety net. What’s New For Crop Insurance?-2 Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between …
President’s Infrastructure Plan Paves Way for Boosting Rural Economy, Farm Bureau Says
The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “President Trump’s ‘Building a Stronger America’ plan promises to bring long overdue improvements to the country roads, bridges and broader infrastructure that farmers and ranchers depend on to reach customers at home and abroad. While past infrastructure plans have left rural America in the dust, this …
Tyson: Higher Freight Costs Will Push Up Consumer Prices
Tyson said the rising cost of freight is starting to put pressure on all of its businesses. That means consumers will eventually feel that pressure in the form of higher prices for all its products. The company says the tight trucking market will add more than $200 million to its cost structure this year. Chief Executive Tom Hayes says, “Freight …
What the Budget Bill Means for Farmers and Ranchers
The disaster assistance spending measure has been watched carefully by producers who were hit hard by natural disasters. Producers in California, Florida, Texas, and even Puerto Rico lost crops and livestock because of wildfires and hurricanes last year. Politico says America’s dairy and cotton producers also have been looking for subsidy increases because of a serious economic downturn. The bill …
Ag Committee Leaders Praise Bipartisan Budget Act
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts says the Bipartisan Budget Act passed in both chambers of Congress benefits Americans in many ways. It avoids a government shutdown, raises military funding, contains disaster assistance for several states that were hit hard by natural disasters, and improves livestock assistance programs. Roberts says, “In addition to disaster assistance for states hit hard by …
Two-year Budget Deal Key for Agriculture
The two-year budget deal passed by Congressional leaders is key for agriculture, including farm program fixes, disaster aid and tax break extenders. American Farm Bureau budget adviser, RJ Karney, looks at some of the key program fixes needed to write the next farm bill. Two-year Budget Deal Key for Agriculture-1 Karney says AFBF and Ag Committee leaders were also behind …