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
Farm Bill
Ag Policy
Is There Anything New from the Latest Farm Bill Debate?
We need to know the final funding level in the debt limit debate before there are can be any attempt to mix and match farm bill titles and funds.
March 24, 2023 10:13 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%.
Ag Policy
Bipartisan Group Pushes for Stepped-Up Basis Tax Rule Protections
A resolution introduced Tuesday would support the “preservation” of the rule and “oppose efforts to impose new taxes on family farms or small businesses.”
March 22, 2023 12:54 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Former President Donald Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods during his presidency, raising costs for American companies, according to the ITC.
Ag Policy
US Importers Carried the Burden of Chinese Tariffs Placed by President Trump
Former President Donald Trump placed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese goods during his presidency, raising costs for American companies, according to the ITC.
March 17, 2023 11:00 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The Biden team argues that frameworks are better and faster for meeting current challenges than deals that involve broad tariff negotiations and can take years.
Ag Policy
Free-Trade Approach Pushed on the Biden Administration is Met with Backlash
“It would be a lost opportunity if we just sit on the sidelines and watch other countries engage while the playing field continues to tilt against us,” said Rep. Smith (R-Neb.).
March 14, 2023 03:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
cover crops and residue
Ag Policy
New Conservation Funding and CRP Took Priority in Senate Ag Hearing
“The prioritization of resource concerns must be left to the local level where producers decide how they can best address their unique and varied landscapes and needs,” said Sen. John Boozman.
March 02, 2023 05:01 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
American red shipping cargo container on a white background.
Ag Policy
US Trade Rep Tai to Discuss Biden’s Trade Agenda Today
“In this current situation, the traditional approach to free trade agreements — which isn’t just tariff cuts, but that they do tariff cuts on a fully comprehensive basis — isn’t what we need right now,” Tai says.
March 01, 2023 12:45 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Money, U.S. dollars
Ag Policy
U.S. Debt Will Likely Become a Major Issue in Washington
“Over the long term, our projections suggest that changes in fiscal policy must be made to address the rising costs of interest and mitigate other adverse consequences of high and rising debt,” CBO Director Swagel said
February 16, 2023 12:57 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
USDA climate program efforts were raised by Sen. Grassley, who noted concern over USDA’s move to tap more than $3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to fund its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC).
Ag Policy
Crop Insurance, Production Costs, ERP Among Key Topics at Senate Ag Farm Bill Hearing
A Senate Ag Committee hearing Thursday on the new farm bill raised a issue that is now evident: the Title 1 farm bill safety net can no longer deal with the current ag environment.
February 10, 2023 03:00 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.
Ag Policy
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
Money
Ag Policy
Stepped-Up Basis Leaning in Favor of Rural America on House Ways and Means Panel
With Republicans now in control of the House, Rep. RandyFeenstra (R-Iowa) said he wants to introduce legislation shielding the stepped-up basis and like-kind exchanges.
February 02, 2023 05:21 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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