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
China marketplace
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
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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
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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
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Gas pump nozzle, Somerville, Massachusetts
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
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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
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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
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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
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Jim Wiesemeyer
President Biden's USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.
Biden’s USDA Budget Proposal Seeks Big CRP Boost with $2.4B to Enroll Targeted 27 Million Acres
President Biden’s USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.
March 29, 2022 01:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Despite interest rate hikes, food inflation remains stubbornly high.
Inflation Already Costing Consumers, USDA Makes Large Upward Revisions in Food Price Forecast
USDA now expects food price inflation in 2022 to be from 4.5% to 5.5%, compared with 2021, based on the all-food Consumer Price Index. No category shows a potential decline.
March 25, 2022 04:35 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Congress
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Overtakes Other Washington Issues as Congress Returns this Week
Congress returns Monday, but to a very different situation due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is expected to be one of the key issues President Biden talks about during his State of the Union address.
February 28, 2022 10:41 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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