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
Faber said USDA told them the changes occurred because of a software update to its reporting system in 2019, during the Trump administration.
Ag Policy
USDA Withholds the Names of Farm Subsidy Payment Recipients
“It’s a mystery as to why the USDA began to hide the names of many recipients,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs for the Environmental Working Group.
February 01, 2023 03:21 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FDA
Ag Policy
FDA Looks to Consolidate its Food Policy and Regulation Divisions
The revamped foods program would absorb the functions of Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and the Office of Food Policy and Response, as well as some of the work of the Office of Regulatory Affairs.
February 01, 2023 11:28 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Vilsack
Ag Policy
Vilsack Focuses on Farm Bill Possibilities with National Sustainable Ag Coalition
Vilsack said USDA believes there are more options for farmers other than “get big or get out. There’s got to be a system in which the many and most have a fair shot.”
January 31, 2023 02:27 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Norman and Roy were among those initially opposing McCarthy’s speaker bid, and Massie in the past has been a real pain for GOP leadership plans. 
Ag Policy
Speaker McCarthy Selects Unruly House Rules Panel
For example, Rep. Ralph Norman in the past unsuccessfully pushed crop insurance amendments that would have cut premium incentives/subsidies by 15% for producers with specified adjusted gross incomes.
January 24, 2023 02:17 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Under the proposed scheme, the Treasury would mint a $1 trillion coin and deposit it at the Fed, and then draw the money to pay the country’s bills.
Ag Policy
Debt Limit Debate: $1 Trillion Coin Not Off the Table
Some legislative officials have discussed the possibility that the Treasury could use an obscure law authorizing platinum coins to circumvent Congress if lawmakers don’t raise the debt ceiling.
January 23, 2023 02:26 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
“We’re not going to negotiate on this,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre reiterated to reporters Tuesday, insisting that the debt limit will be raised “without conditions.”
Ag Policy
Bank of America Says a U.S. Debt Default is “Likely”
Speaker McCarthy agreed that the House wouldn’t lift the debt ceiling unless Congress slashes federal spending next fiscal year. Because of this, Bank of America is telling clients to expect a debt default this fall.
January 18, 2023 01:30 PM
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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
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
Ag Policy
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
Norman and Roy were among those initially opposing McCarthy’s speaker bid, and Massie in the past has been a real pain for GOP leadership plans. 
Ag Policy
Kevin McCarthy Finally Won the House Speaker Gavel, Now What?
After four days and 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy’s wait to become Speaker of the House has ended. During his first year as Speaker, he will need to raise the debt limit and fund the government.
January 09, 2023 02:43 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Thunder River
Ag Policy
EPA Releases New WOTUS Rule, with the Supreme Court Ruling Pending
The definition maintains longstanding exemptions for farming activities but trims an exclusion for prior converted cropland that had been in the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule.
December 30, 2022 01:01 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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