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
Ag Policy
SCOTUS Zeroes in on Key Proposition 12 Issues
Justices asked whether Prop 12 could lead other states to impose their moral values beyond their borders.
May 12, 2023 10:28 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farm Bill
Ag Policy
Lawmakers Meet with Biden to Discuss Farm Bill 2023
Rep. Thompson signaled he wants to hear “commitment from everyone, including the president, that we will get this done and in the manner I’ve been speaking about. Bipartisan, bicameral, on time and highly effective.’”
May 11, 2023 01:31 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
U.S. Monthly Trade
Ag Policy
U.S. Trade with the World Rose in March
Exports rose 2.1% in March from the prior month to a seasonally adjusted $256.2 billion while imports declined 0.3% to $320.4 billion, the Commerce Department said.
May 05, 2023 02:46 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Lenders In the hearing seemed to agree on a boost to lending limits in USDA guaranteed loans as lawmakers ready for the next farm bill.
Ag Policy
Ag Bankers Stress Crop Insurance, Farm Lending Link in Senate Ag Hearing
Lenders In the hearing seemed to agree on a boost to lending limits in USDA guaranteed loans as lawmakers ready for the next farm bill.
May 05, 2023 01:00 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Beef label
Ag Policy
Canada Warns on ‘Product of USA’ Regulation
Currently, foreign meat that is processed in U.S. plants can be labeled “Product of USA.” Arun Alexander, Canada’s deputy ambassador, isn’t convinced this is a good practice.
April 27, 2023 10:41 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Water- Corn field - Scenic - Pomme de Terre River - Morris Minnesota-By Lindsey Pound
Ag Policy
4 Items EPA Discussed this Week that Will Impact Producers
Michael Regan, EPA administrator, appeared before the House Ag Committee on Wednesday to discuss everything from WOTUS to the farm bill. Here are the highlights that will directly impact producers.
April 20, 2023 01:36 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. takes effect Monday. Here's a rundown of what is considered WOTUS and subject to federal regulation.
Ag Policy
What Bodies of Water are Considered WOTUS?
The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. takes effect Monday. Here’s a rundown of what is considered WOTUS and, therefore, subject to federal regulation.
April 12, 2023 04:39 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
American red shipping cargo container on a white background.
Ag Policy
USTR’s Trade Strategy: Stronger Ties with Like-Minded Countries
Non-tariff barriers “are real and can be more significant hurdles than tariffs,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says.
April 06, 2023 02:23 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
While Tai has faced strong criticism about a lack of new trade agreements being pursued, she claimed this week that the U.S. is “nearing a consensus on the need to do things differently.”
Ag Policy
USTR Tai Continues to Push Trade Policy Focused on Non-Tariff Barriers
While Tai has faced strong criticism about a lack of new trade agreements being pursued, she claimed this week that the U.S. is “nearing a consensus on the need to do things differently.”
April 05, 2023 01:27 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
Ag Policy
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
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