Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer is well known to Pro Farmer Members for his long tenure as Washington Bureau Chief for Pro Farmer. Now with agricultural consulting firm Informa Economics, formerly Sparks Companies, Inc., he is still offering his expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics as a consultant to Pro Farmer. His Inside Washington Today column on AgWeb.com is a must-read item to keep up with the latest in Washington developments.

Latest Stories
Congress. Photo: Philip, Adobe Stock
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.
October 02, 2023 09:47 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
land - aerial - Lindsey Pound
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.
July 21, 2023 10:07 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farm Bill
Farm Bill 2023 Draft is Expected by Mid-September
House Ag Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, along with other members, is seeking additional funding sources for the bill, but that will likely be the biggest farm bill hurdle that may trip up lawmakers.
July 20, 2023 12:40 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
American red shipping cargo container on a white background.
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.
July 19, 2023 03:00 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
farm lake - pond - water - WOTUS - sunset - scenic - By Lindsey Pound
The Countdown is on for EPA to Revise WOTUS
EPA has a deadline from the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals to offer a progress report on the Waters of the U.S. rule by Sept. 15.
July 18, 2023 01:56 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Most farmers know that if they collect crop insurance, they are allowed in most cases to defer those proceeds for one year. But in many cases, they can't defer all of it.
Farm Bill Will Not See an Increase in Funds
Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow, (D-Mich.) says there will be no new funding for the 2023 farm bill. However, Stabenow stressed she will not allow a cut in conservation funding.
June 07, 2023 03:00 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FILE PHOTO: The Arkas Line's Conti Basel container ship is docked in the Black sea port of Odessa, Ukraine, November 4, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Cargo Ships Leave West Coast Ports As Labor Talks Show ‘Little to No’ Progress
Rail strikes ran headlines in late 2022 and came to an end in December when Congress passed an agreement. But there may be another strike looming in the transportation sector unless the Biden administration changes pace.
March 27, 2023 12:25 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Renewable diesel consumption in the U.S. hit 28 million barrels in 2021, according to the Energy Information Administration. California burned up 99% to that consumption rate.
Diesel Prices Up 78¢ from January 2022
The price surge comes as Europe announced a ban on Russian diesel fuel and G7 countries vowed to price-cap Russian oil products.
February 07, 2023 08:14 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Meanwhile, service prices and the core index (which excludes food and energy) remain high, with the core CPI descending to 4.8%.
USDA is Making Additional CFAP 2 Payments
The additional payments will be equal to 15% of the producer’s previous CFAP 2 payments.
January 13, 2023 12:11 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Border Wall Lukeville, AZ
Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border
President Biden traveled on Sunday to the U.S./Mexico border amid a surge in illegal border crossings. The administration announced a new program for up to 30,000 migrants a month to enter the U.S. legally.
January 10, 2023 08:30 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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