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
The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan
Ag Policy
U.S./EU Spark a Trade Spat Over Limitations in the Inflation Reduction Act
Europeans argue that the act is a beggar-thy-neighbor scheme designed to lure investors away from Europe, just as the region’s economy teeters on the verge of recession.
December 05, 2022 11:30 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
airplane
Ag Policy
Chinese Delegates Meet with Top U.S. Officials in New York
China moved to close parks, malls and museums on Tues. as COVID-19 cases hit near-record levels. Lockdowns follow reports that, days before COP27, Xi sent policy and business advisers to New York to meet U.S. executives.
November 22, 2022 02:23 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Railroad-Train-By-Lindsey-Pound
Ag Policy
Rail Strike Update: Labor Deal Deadline Shortened to Dec. 5
Unions and railroads are back at the negotiating table. By law, Congress can intervene to impose an agreement if the two sides remain deadlocked. However, one union is now on schedule to strike Dec. 5.
November 22, 2022 10:21 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
“The era of one-party Democrat rule in Washington is over,” Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader from California, said this week on Capitol Hill.
Ag Policy
A Divided Government: GOP Retakes the House by Slim Margin
Most now look for President Biden to increase his use of executive orders and regulations to fulfill some other goals, including those in the coming farm bill.
November 18, 2022 03:23 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) applaud as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S, March 1, 2022. Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS
Ag Policy
With Midterm Elections Nearly in the Rearview, Leadership Roles Prepare to Change Hands
Pelosi is to step down as leader of the Democratic Party in the House, a position she has held since 2003. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says he will remain in Congress but won’t seek a leadership position.
November 18, 2022 02:13 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
“We intend not to be back here between Christmas and New Year’s, and if we can’t meet that deadline, we would be happy to pass a short-term CR into early next year,” said McConnell.
Ag Policy
Impact of the Elections on Farm Bill 2023
The farm bill debate depends in part on who controls the House because leadership of the Ag Committee would see definite changes if the GOP wins.
November 16, 2022 09:04 AM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Railroad - Grain elevator - Lindsey Pound
Ag Policy
Rail Strike Averted Until Dec. 4, Saving U.S. $2 Billion Per Day
Unions are arguing railroads haven’t done enough to address worker concerns, largely surrounding working conditions and paid time off.
November 10, 2022 04:05 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Vote
Ag Policy
Ballot Counts Continue as Some Republicans Suggest a Break From Trump
“I strongly believe Trump should no longer be the face of the Republican Party,” said former Representative Peter King of New York, a longtime Trump supporter.
November 10, 2022 04:02 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
There have now been 262 commercial flocks affected with HPAI in 2022.
Ag Policy
Expect Thanksgiving Turkey Prices to Skyrocket Thanks to Avian Influenza
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has wreaked havoc on many poultry operations this year. Cases confirmed this week in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin total nearly 1.5 million infected birds.
November 10, 2022 03:49 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Voter in Pennsylvania
Ag Policy
‘Red Wave’ of Voters Did Not Happen: Why Were Poll Predictions So Far Off the Mark?
What caused the polls to shift away from the predicted ‘red wave’ many had suggested? It comes down to multiple factors, including abortion, Trump and voter turnout.
November 09, 2022 05:51 PM
 · 
Jim Wiesemeyer
Load More