A senior member of the Senate Finance Committee is predicting some of the missing details affecting agriculture in the Senate GOP tax reform bill. Former Senate Finance Chair Chuck Grassley says while many tax reform details are yet to be decided, some are starting to take shape. Grassley suggests tax writers already have a figure in mind, for ‘stepped-up basis’ …
Food Price Index Increases
Global food prices made a mild move upward last month, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The monthly FAO Food Price Index averaged 178.4 points in September 2017, up 1.4 points from August and 7.4 points above September 2016. Firmer prices in the vegetable oil and dairy sectors were behind the small month-on-month rise. The …
Ag Economy Expectations Sliding
Future expectations for the agriculture economy turned lower in the latest monthly Ag Economy Barometer by CME Group and Purdue University. Released Tuesday, the September reading of 132 was unchanged compared to August. However, the barometer’s two sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations, did shift in opposite directions. The Current Conditions Index rose to 135, …
Battle Lines Drawn on Tax Reform
The battle lines are drawn on President Trump’s tax reform proposals. The top Senate Democrat has just ‘tarred and feathered’ key provisions that would benefit farmers and other small businesses. Democrats stopped the GOP effort to repeal Obamacare, now they’re taking aim at the Republican push for tax reform, including estate tax repeal and changes to ‘pass-through’ tax rates that …
Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Tax Reform Agenda
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded President Donald J. Trump’s vision of a broad reform of the American tax code, which will result in dramatic tax cuts for millions of American individuals, families, businesses, and family farmers, ranchers, and foresters. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “The people of American agriculture work hard every day to provide food, fiber, and …
Senior Senate Tax Writing Committee Member Expects Estate Tax Repeal
A senior member of the Senate tax-writing committee expects estate tax repeal, a key for agriculture, to survive in a GOP-crafted tax reform proposal. GOP tax reform details are being announced this week and Former Senate Finance Chair and senior member Chuck Grassley says estate tax repeal is still ‘in play,’ despite media reports that the White House and lawmakers …
Farm Policy Facts Study Addresses Heritage Foundation Suggestions
A study sponsored by seven agriculture groups and released by Farm Policy Facts calls a plan by the Heritage Foundation misleading. Brandon Willis, former Agriculture Department Risk Management Agency administrator, crafted the study “How Heritage Foundation’s U.S. Farm Policy Proposals Would Put America Last.” The Heritage Foundation released a blueprint earlier this year for the 2018 Farm Bill and claims …
Rural Mainstreet Index Lower
The Rural Mainstreet Index fell to its lowest level of the year last month as farmland prices declined and agriculture equipment sales were dismal. The index, compiled by Nebraska’s Creighton University, surveys bank CEO’s in ten Midwestern states. Overall, the index, which ranges between 0 and 100, slumped to 39.6, its lowest level since December 2016, and down from 42.2 …
Agri View: National Support
Everett Griner talks about animal agriculture supplying significant national support in today’s Agri View. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages …
House Debates Ag Spending Bills as Fiscal Battle Looms
House lawmakers began debating bills on Wednesday to fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says the funding would be for all of the fiscal year 2018 and be part of a package of eight government spending bills. The ag appropriations bill would set aside $20 billion in discretionary funding for …