Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer was a Pro Farmer contributor as the Washington Bureau Chief. His columns provided expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics.

Latest Stories

Both ERP and the previously announced Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) are funded by a bill President Biden signed into law in 2021. The law provided $10 billion from taxpayers to help agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms and other eligible disasters experienced during calendar years 2020 and 2021, of which $750 million is committed to livestock producers who experienced losses to drought or wildfire in calendar year 2021.

USDA Reveals Farmers Have Received More Than $4 Billion in ERP Payouts to Date

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (formerly WHIP+), representing 67% of the $6 billion projected to be paid.

July 13, 2022 03:27 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Gas pump nozzle, Somerville, Massachusetts

Biden to Call on Congress to Suspend Gas and Diesel Tax This Summer

The move is contingent on legislative action, which would temporarily lift the 18.3 cents tax per gallon on gasoline and 24 cents tax per gallon on diesel during the summer months.

June 22, 2022 09:04 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

The over $2 billion package includes previously announced funding to expand meat and poultry processing and to finance new infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, but there $600 million in new aid to support food supply chain infrastructure outside meat processing.

Vilsack Announces $2B in Funding to Transform U.S. Food System

Transforming the U.S. food system by improving supply chains and addressing issues exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic was detailed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack during a speech at Georgetown University.

June 01, 2022 07:38 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Can China’s Economic Stats Be Trusted?

Shanghai offered some tax rebates for companies and allowed all manufacturers to resume operations from June as authorities rolled out policies to revitalize an economy impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns.

June 01, 2022 08:31 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

According to Bloomberg, the June spot price in Tampa, Florida, for ammonia nitrogen fertilizer settled at $1,000/metric ton, a 30% drop from May's $1,425/ton.

Fertilizer Prices Just Fell 30% in One Day, Farmers Saw Prices Skyrocket 133% in a Year

Fertilizer prices, led by CF Industries, fell in Thursday’s trading. Nitrogen prices reportedly plunged 30%, partly due to demand destruction.

May 27, 2022 12:16 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Pork At the Meat Case - Change Driven by Consumer Dollar

USDA Raises 2022 Food Inflation Forecasts Again, Highest Grocery Food Price Hikes in 42 Years

USDA raised its estimated range of 6.5%-7.5% y/y increase from a range of 5%-6%, according to the May Food Price Outlook report, the highest forecast for all food prices and restaurant prices since 1981.

May 25, 2022 03:31 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Diesel Prices Jump 37% in 10 Weeks, Gas Prices Projected to Hit $6.20 by August

The White House is considering waiving U.S. gasoline environmental rules aimed at reducing summertime smog, hoping the waiver will combat rising pump prices, Reuters reported.

May 24, 2022 02:58 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Gregg Doud's negotiations with China’s vice minister of agriculture on an agricultural trade agreement included 33 sessions over the course of a year.

Who Actually Won the U.S., China Trade War?

The U.S.-China trade war began in July 2018 when the Trump administration imposed tariffs on $550 billion worth of Chinese goods. Nearly four years later, the debate remains as to which country actually won.

May 23, 2022 10:38 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Filling A Tractor Tank Daily Now Costs Some Farmers $1,000, Double What It Did a Year Ago

U.S. diesel prices are the highest ever, with warnings of shortages, especially in the eastern U.S., and the most intensive part of the farming season is still ahead.

May 20, 2022 03:17 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

USDA 2022 food price inflation forecasts already at 14-year high. USDA forecasts for consumer food price inflation were increased again this month, with all food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% and grocery store prices expected to rise 5% to 6%.

USDA 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More

USDA’s 2022 food price inflation forecasts are already at a 14-year high with forecasts for consumer food price inflation increased again this month. All food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% vs 4.5% to 5.5% in March.

April 26, 2022 12:11 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer