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

U.S. Diesel Crisis Lingers as Europe Prepares for Russian Oil Ban

Global diesel and distillate fuel stocks have fallen to dangerous levels and the U.S. has been exporting a lot of diesel to Europe and Latin America, but now things are changing.

October 24, 2022 01:37 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Ag Policy

USDA Requests Comments on Aid to Producers Discriminated in Farm Lending Programs

USDA seeks input on how to identify those who experienced discrimination and what kind of evidence should be submitted to back up the claims.

October 17, 2022 09:09 AM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Ag Policy

Farm Bureau Seeks ‘Unified’ Farm Bill of Ag and Nutrition Aid

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its general new farm bill recommendations on Thursday. First on the AFBF’s list: “protect farm bill program spending.”

October 14, 2022 02:35 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who filed suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, likened the situation to the loss of assistance to Black farmers after the Civil War.

Ag Policy

Minority Farmers Sue Over Repeal of the Debt Relief Program

The Virginia farmers filing the suit allege repeal of the debt relief effort is a breach of contract by the government, arguing some farmers made financial plans based on the expectation of getting debt relief.

October 13, 2022 01:28 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Ag Policy

IMF Anticipates Global Inflation Will Peak in Late 2022

Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast.

October 11, 2022 01:10 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Ag Policy

Expect New WOTUS Testing Rules by the End of 2022, According to Government Lawyer

By the end of the year, the Biden administration is expected to issue new rules that Government Lawyer Brian Fletcher told the court will “provide greater clarity to the regulated public on all parts of the test.”

October 05, 2022 04:56 PM

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

$670 Million Awarded by USDA to Farm, Meatpacking and Grocery Workers for their ‘Essential Role’ in U.S. Food Systems During Pandemic

USDA says the organizations were selected for their proven track records working with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery workers. The funds amount to $600 per person and will be dispersed in the fall.

October 05, 2022 02:37 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Industry

California Approves Plan to ‘Move State Away From Oil’ by 2035

More than 16% of new cars sold in California in 2022 were zero-emissions vehicles, the state said, up from 12.41% in 2021 and 7.78% in 2020.

October 05, 2022 01:44 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

California is the country’s biggest vehicle market, and more than a dozen states copy its emissions standards.

Ag Policy

Does California Have Enough Energy to Ban Gas Cars?

California announced last week that it will ban the sale of internal combustion engine passenger cars by 2035. The decision comes on the heels of diesel shortages along the East Coast, which caught attention on The Hill.

October 05, 2022 01:44 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer

Ag Policy

USDA Forecasts Farm Sector Profits to Remain Above Average in 2022

When adjusted for inflation, 2022 net cash farm income is forecast to increase by $13.5 billion (8.7%) from 2021 and be at its highest level since 2012.

October 05, 2022 01:44 PM

Jim Wiesemeyer