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
USDA 2022 food price inflation forecasts already at 14-year high. USDA forecasts for consumer food price inflation were increased again this month, with all food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% and grocery store prices expected to rise 5% to 6%.
Ag Policy
USDA 2022 Food Price Inflation Forecasts Already at 14-Year High, Expected to Rise Even More
USDA’s 2022 food price inflation forecasts are already at a 14-year high with forecasts for consumer food price inflation increased again this month. All food prices now seen rising 5% to 6% vs 4.5% to 5.5% in March.
April 26, 2022 12:11 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Widespread drought wasn't the only factor that caused depleted grazing conditions in the Western U.S. last year. Grasshoppers ravaged hay and grass, causing some livestock producers to liquidate a portion of their herd.
Ag Policy
What You Need To Know About USDA Announcing Payments To Livestock Producers Hammered By Drought, Soaring Feed Costs
USDA says the launch of the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) will address increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021. Phase 1 of the payments is expected to total $577 million.
April 04, 2022 11:01 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
President Biden's USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.
Ag Policy
Biden’s USDA Budget Proposal Seeks Big CRP Boost with $2.4B to Enroll Targeted 27 Million Acres
President Biden’s USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.
March 29, 2022 01:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Despite interest rate hikes, food inflation remains stubbornly high.
Ag Policy
Inflation Already Costing Consumers, USDA Makes Large Upward Revisions in Food Price Forecast
USDA now expects food price inflation in 2022 to be from 4.5% to 5.5%, compared with 2021, based on the all-food Consumer Price Index. No category shows a potential decline.
March 25, 2022 04:35 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Congress
Ag Policy
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Overtakes Other Washington Issues as Congress Returns this Week
Congress returns Monday, but to a very different situation due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is expected to be one of the key issues President Biden talks about during his State of the Union address.
February 28, 2022 10:41 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
On Monday the People’s Bank of China also announced a 0.1 percentage point cut to two of its key policy rates. It acted after GDP grew by more than 8% in 2021, but slowed down in the fourth quarter, with growth of just 4% compared to the same period in 2020.
Ag Policy
China’s Central Bank Cut Rates for First Time in Two Years
On Monday the People’s Bank of China also announced a 0.1 percentage point cut to two of its key policy rates. It acted after GDP grew by more than 8% in 2021, but slowed down in the fourth quarter.
January 18, 2022 08:12 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Senate leadership’s timeline for the BBB proposal is just before Christmas, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin is calling for a “strategic pause” for the vote, delaying it into 2022.
Ag Policy
CBO Report Shows True Cost of Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Plan Closer to $5T
Senate leadership’s timeline for the BBB proposal is just before Christmas, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin is calling for a strategic pause for the vote, delaying it into 2022.
December 13, 2021 09:08 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Pig farm at sunset
Ag Policy
USDA Significantly Boosts Net Farm Income Forecast, Highest Since 2013
Net cash farm income, which tracks producers’ cash flow, is forecast by USDA at $134.7B for 2021. That number is up $6.4B from February’s forecast and would be an increase of 21.5% from 2020’s $110.9B.
September 03, 2021 01:00 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
“Food inflation has definitely started to slow down, and this is good news for consumers. However, it still won’t be cheaper to celebrate the Fourth of July this year,” says Dr. Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo Chief Agricultural Economist.
Ag Policy
Vilsack Goes on Offense Re: Errant Meat Consumption Reports
Secretary Vilsack flatly denied there is any effort by President Biden to reduce meat consumption to meet proposed cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. “Sometimes in the political world, games get played,” he said.
April 27, 2021 02:30 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
USDA unveils Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Ag Policy
Perdue Announces $19 Billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
USDA has announced a $19 billion program to provide direct payments to farmers and bulk food purchases for food banks.
November 19, 2020 11:55 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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