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
Rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, in New York
Ag Policy
Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Now Up Odds for Expanding U.S. Trade/Economic War with China
Trump taps Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary, signaling tariff-heavy trade strategy. Lutnick has called the tariffs a negotiating tool that could be used to convince other countries to bring down their own levies or to force companies to move production to the U.S.
November 20, 2024 11:07 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farm Bill Capitol Hill Washington DC Government Legislation - Lindsey Pound
Ag Policy
Ag Groups Say Stabenow’s Lame-Duck Farm Bill is Lame; Gets Lambasted for Timing, Details
Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow finally released the full text of the Senate farm bill on Monday, but it’s already drawing intense criticism. Even usually optimistic House Ag Chair GT Thompson signaled it’s time to focus on a 2018 farm bill extension by year’s end.
November 19, 2024 03:05 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Farm Bill
Ag Policy
Stabenow Finally Releases Full Text of Senate Farm Bill; Here’s What It Means for Agriculture
The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, which builds on the proposal Stabenow released in May, includes $39 billion in new resources “to keep farmers farming, families fed and rural communities strong.”
November 18, 2024 11:35 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Washington DC
Ag Policy
President-elect Trump Names Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Head Of Department of Health and Human Services
Nomination sparks debate over Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance and Senate support
November 15, 2024 08:40 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
gavel2
Industry
AFBF Terminates Illinois Farm Bureau’s Membership, Now Illinois is Filing a Lawsuit
A letter from AFBF President Zippy Duvall to state Farm Bureau presidents said the action comes after a failed mediation session on Monday. The move is in retaliation for a decision by the Illinois Farm Bureau’s affiliate, Country Financial, to drop a Farm Bureau membership eligibility requirement for non-farm insurance policy holders in Illinois.
November 14, 2024 02:18 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Republicans meet to vote on leadership positions on Capitol Hill in Washington
Ag Policy
Why John Thune’s Election as Senate Majority Leader is Considered Beneficial for U.S. Agriculture
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) wins Majority Leader race. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was eliminated on the first ballot. And Thune beat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) 29-24 on the second ballot.
November 13, 2024 01:50 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds a rally in Concord
Ag Policy
Trump Taps Lee Zeldin to Lead EPA; What Does It Signal for Agriculture?
Trump stated that Zeldin would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions” to “unleash the power of American businesses.” The administration aims to maintain “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet” while pursuing deregulation.
November 12, 2024 09:36 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seen in Washington
Ag Policy
Who Will Be the Next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture?
Now that the election results are in, the parlor game of who President-elect Donald Trump will tap to serve on his Cabinet has returned, and there’s a host of possibilities.
November 07, 2024 12:44 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Surrounded by family members and supporters, Donald Trump makes his acceptance speech at his Election Night Watch Party at the
Ag Policy
Buoyed by Stronger Support from Rural America than 2016, Trump Wins Second Term as President
Trump garnered even stronger support in rural America versus his still robust rural vote in this first administration. That is likely a backlash against the ag policy moves of the Biden/Harris administration that focused on underserved and minority rural citizens.
November 06, 2024 07:58 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Harris-Trump presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ag Policy
Hours Until the Election, 2024 Presidential Race is a ‘Pure Toss-up’
The race tightened over the weekend as the Des Moines Register’s final presidential poll shockingly had Harris up three points in the state, underscoring that the election will be closer than current market expectations
November 04, 2024 10:54 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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