Election
The incoming Congress will feature at least 119 ag voices, but major leadership shakeups and a steep learning curve await lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Agricultural communities deliver stunning upset in Kansas Senate race, ending Republican dominance in the heartland amid economic anxiety.
Beyond party lines, the future of farm policy is on the ballot. Here is a look at the critical campaigns that will determine if rural America keeps its seat at the table.
Both candidates grew up raising pigs on Nebraska family farms, but Gov. Jim Pillen and challenger Lynne Walz offer contrasting roadmaps on tariffs, property tax reform and rural economic growth.
As Illinois prepares to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, Democratic candidate Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Republican candidate Don Tracy and Independent candidate Whitfield Harrington lay out their competing visions for the Farm Bill, input costs and representing Illinois producers in Washington.
Candidates Jennifer Balkcom, Jamie Ager, and Travis Groo offer competing solutions for small-scale farming, H-2A guest worker visas, and long-term disaster recovery across Western North Carolina.
Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek agree on E15 and a Farm Bill. They split on who is responsible for the squeeze on farm margins.
Dozens of ag champions and producers will leave Washington following the midterm elections. History suggests their firsthand experience won’t be easily replaced — leaving rural America’s voice hanging in the balance.
Lawmakers aim for year-end deal as midterm elections loom.
As producers navigate financial strain and D.C. disconnect, realities such as steep input costs, trade frustrations and E15 limbo are becoming decisive factors shaping the rural vote.
Since being confirmed on Feb. 13, Secretary Rollins has been in the Washington D.C., USDA office for a few hours. Most of her time has been spent visiting farmers, ranchers and ag businesses in Kentucky, Kansas and at Top Producer Summit.
Trump recently signed three executive orders imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. This marks the first time a president has used powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
In an announcement on Saturday, Trump said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”
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.
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.
Threats of widespread tariffs and concerns about retaliation continue to stoke uneasiness in agriculture. With a growing trade deficit and hopes the U.S. could re-embark on the Phase One trade deal with China, could the focus back on trade be positive for 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.
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.
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.
Biden-era clean energy subsidies would likely survive, but a reduction in offshore wind leasing is likely.
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.
Which Presidential Candidate Is More Likely to Tame Inflation or Support Farm Policies and Biofuels?
Ahead of the election, the October Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked economists which presidential candidate will be better for agriculture on taming inflation, providing more certainty on farm policy, as well as more likely to support biofuels policies.
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
The October Monthly Monitor reflects cautious optimism in certain areas of agriculture, marked by export strengths and potential price recoveries, but shadowed by long-term rebuilding challenges, weather dependencies and the impact of the upcoming election.
Washington insider Jim Wiesemeyer fills the guest’s chair on this episode of Unscripted to share what he’s hearing about the upcoming presidential election. Wiesemeyer offers plenty of insight into key topics such as the impact of early voting and how the next administration can help or hurt the production ag industry.
As agriculture faces multiple challenges, USDA’s latest net farm income forecast is masking the reality for farmers. While livestock margins have improved for 2024, high input costs and below breakeven prices for row crops means margins could be the worst in nearly 20 years.
Based on a farmer poll and the Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, farmers and economists differ on whether Harris or Trump would be better for agriculture, particularly when it comes to trade.