Ag Policy Blog

The release of the Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll was a late surprise in the presidential race. The poll indicates Iowa is a tossup with Vice President Harris leading former President Trump by the margin of error. The poll is contradicted by another poll giving Trump a lead in the...

A group of World Food Prize laureates has publicly criticized U.S. political candidates for ignoring the issue of global hunger amid a rising global food crisis. The laureates also stressed that addressing hunger is crucial for global peace, economic stability and climate...

USDA released a list of new grants and funding initiatives, including aid for farmers facing hurricane losses, an international food-aid pilot program, and additional funding for domestic fertilizer production and small meatpacking operations.

USDA on Wednesday highlighted funding for 92 Regional Conservation Partnership Program grants nationally. That includes 16 projects addressing water conservation in western states as well as 42 projects that promote wildlife habitat and conservation restoration. Nine of the...

USDA on Monday announced the Farm Service Agency has started issuing to checks to producers for the 2023 crops. USDA pegs the payments under Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price would be $447 million.

The USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has reached its highest enrollment level since 2013, with a notable shift toward Grasslands CRP, which supports grazing operations. Under the Biden administration, CRP acreage has increased by 5.36 million acres, now totaling 25.86...

The Harris-Walz campaign is focusing on rural voters, traditionally a strong base for former President Donald Trump, by promoting policies on sustainable agriculture, rural healthcare and access to farmland. The campaign is also warning about Project 2025 and the possible...

A new study released by American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association highlights another trade war with China could cost corn and soybean farmers roughly $5 billion to $8 billion a year in lost value. Meanwhile, prices would increase for South American...

The House Ag Committee may have more competitive races among its membership than any other committee in Congress. Political analysts who track congressional elections show nine House Aggies -- five Republicans and four Democrats -- are in races scored by analysts as...

As part of an event on competition issues with farmers and producers at the White House, USDA released a new study on competition issues in the meat industry. USDA also announced a proposal to consider some regulatory restrictions on Alternative Marketing Agreements...

Under their current tax plans and government spending, Trump's plans would raise the national debt by an average of $7.5 trillion over 10 years, while Harris' plan would raise the debt $3.5 trillion. Both candidates would end up with trillions more in annual borrowing to make up for...

USDA this week announced the department would spend a record $7.7 billion in fiscal 2025 "to help agricultural and forestry producers adopt conservation practices on working lands."

Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday night debated a range of issues. Vance argued the country and political situation globally was more stable under former President Donald Trump. Walz countered that Vice President Kamala Harris has a more positive vision...

Kenneth Hartman Jr., new president of the National Corn Growers Association, is urging passage of a new farm bill this year as farmers face lower prices and rising costs.

Citing the need to support farmers who are dealing with declining crop receipts, 140 House members on Thursday wrote leaders to ensure a farm bill passes this year.

USDA is making changes to Farm Service Agency farm loan programs that should help producers secure larger loans or defer payments when hit by disasters. In other news, farm groups warn the president against the risks of a port strike. Independent grocers also support...

Speaking at an event Monday in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump said he would impose a 200% tariff on imported manufacturing products from Mexico. The president warned John Deere against moving manufacturing facilities to Mexico.

The U.S. biofuels industry and farmers are facing challenges due to outdated climate models and policy frameworks that unfairly penalize domestic corn and soybean farmers.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., pushed back on comments that she wants to add immediate aid to farmers as part of a farm bill extension. Still, some key Republican senators are calling for an aid package for farmers.

Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., on Monday said key lawmakers in Congress are looking at passing an extension of the farm bill that would boost support for commodity producers. That move could provide aid to farmers while lawmakers work out other details on a five-year bill.