Policy Updates

Sweat and Service: Top Producer Farmer Awardees Seek High Profile Political Offices

Fri, 15 May 2026 21:38:55 GMT

In November 2026, there are two previous Top Producer awardees on ballots in different parts of the country to serve for statewide political representation.

Top Producer of the Year finalist in 2018, Darren Bailey, of Bailey Family Farm, is running for Illinois governor
2024 Next Gen Award winner, Hallie Shoffner is running for U.S Senate in Arkansas

For both, running for office is an extension of the “sweat and service” they were taught on the farm. Both candidates are motivated by a fear that the “next generation” is being pushed away from farming while there’s simultaneously a growing lapse in representation from rural America.

Catching Up With The Candidates

When Bailey Family Farm, located in Clay County Illinois, was named a TPOY finalist, the business was farming 12,000 acres and managing trucking and excavating businesses. Bailey says in 2017, he was actively transferring farm management to two of his sons, Cole and Zach, and it was also the first year he was elected to serve as a state representative in Illinois. He went on to serve as a state senator, and had a campaign for governor in 2022.

Its farming footprint is similar today. One recent addition to the business portfolio was a large storage facility for paper goods and wood, which was managed by Zach. After Zach’s death in an aviation accident in October 2025, Bailey sold the business.

Hallie Shoffner, who farmed near Newport Ark., made the hard decision to exit farming in 2025.

“I knew that the farm would not go another year on February 10, 2025. I was looking at six different spreadsheets, and I thought to myself ‘we can’t put a seed in the ground knowing that we’ll lose money on everything we were growing,’” Shoffner says.

The next day, she called the auction company.

“I didn’t know who I was if I wasn’t a farmer. Even on the campaign trail, I still say, I’m a sixth generation farmer. Because I don’t know what else to say. I grew up farming and returned in 2016. I really do still hope that farming is in my future.”

Vision For the Future

They both believe that the resilience, multitasking, and problem-solving required on the farm serve them well in politics as well.

Bailey emphasizes that farmers deal with “uncontrollable situations” daily. On a farm, if something doesn’t work, you cut it; if it works, you add to it. He views the state budget and regulations as a piece of broken machinery that requires a farmer’s “roll up the sleeves” mentality to repair rather than gross mismanagement.
“On the farm we have equipment failures, equipment breakdowns, weather sets in, you have uncontrollable situations, and what do we do? We have to roll up the sleeve, and as soon as we can we get to work or we have to start all over again,” he says.

Bailey’s perspective is one of preventative stewardship. For Bailey, the state of Illinois is facing a succession crisis. He mentions that families and children are leaving the state for better opportunities elsewhere. He famously chose to spend money intended for a home expansion to accommodate larger holiday gatherings on his first governor’s campaign instead.

“There was no reason to build a bigger living room if the grandkids all lived in different states and we were traveling there for Christmas?” he says.

Shoffner believes the Senate needs the “integrity and care” of someone who knows how to get their hands dirty and can represent the largest industry in Arkansas saying one in six jobs in the state ties back to agriculture.

“Hard work and service is really at the heart of this campaign, because that’s what my parents taught me on the farm,” Shoffner says.

Bridging the Disconnect

Both candidates feel that rural America has been “overlooked” or “rigged” against, and they see themselves as the necessary bridge between the field and the capitols.

Shoffner focuses on the “empty chair"—the fact that no elected officials showed up to hear farmers in crisis in her state during farmer organized meetings. Her “why” is about providing a voice to the voiceless who are “grinding their teeth” at night.

“Rural America matters much more than people realize. Unless you have people from rural America representing these states in Congress, you’re not going to have anybody fighting for them,” Shoffner says. “The most important thing, that I have learned is that politics is more about listening, then it is talking. I think most of all, people just want to be heard.”

Both candidates believe the “long economic chain” of agriculture is invisible to current leaders, and only a farmer can effectively advocate for the rural hospitals, banks, and schools that rely on that chain.

Bailey views public service as “giving back” and using his own experience to help others.

“Growing up as a farmer, we’ve got a broad range of abilities, of experiences, of gifts, and I’m able to bring all of those to the table,” Bailey says. “So if I show up to the trucking company, and they’re telling me how they’re so fed up with too much regulation, you know what? I get that.”

Call To Serve

“Being involved in government, being involved in civic organizations, is of utmost importance to maintaining a constitutional republic, the greatest nation that the Earth has ever known–will ever know,” he says. “We have a responsibility to uphold that, and in order to uphold it, it is being involved giving up our time, giving up that one day a month, or whatever it is. Get involved and be the difference,” Bailey says.

He admits in the first half of his life, he wouldn’t have thought to step outside of his farming business and serve in a civic capacity. But he’s quick to say, he now firmly believes such a sacrifice is worth it.

Shoffner has learned through her own grieving process of closing down her family’s farm that public service can provide an outlet to share a vision—and perhaps prevent another farmer from having to make the same hard decision.

“I have this vision of being able to drive around and say, you know, that field that used to be just all soybeans or corn, and now look at it. It’s a whole mix of all sorts of different things that people eat, and we’re selling those back into the communities, and Arkansas is a place that not just feeds its own people, but, you know, exports food all over the world. That’s the vision that I have for when I am old, driving around in the truck with my son.”

Reciprocity and Balance: The New Blueprint for U.S. Agricultural Trade Agreements

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:01:53 GMT

Ambassador Julie Callahan is the chief ag negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative, and she reports positive momentum toward rebuilding trade agreements equating to a positive U.S. ag trade balance.

“We came into a situation in January 2025 where the US ag trade deficit was ballooning in a really unsustainable manner,” she says.

At the beginning of 2025, USDA forecasted a $50 billion deficit for U.S. agricultral trade.

“Compare that to an agricultural trade surplus in 2020 when President Trump left office, of a $6 billion surplus. So we were $56 billion in the hole, you might say, at the beginning of the administration, but through the efforts of the president ensuring trading partners understand they need to treat U.S. farmers and ranchers right, we are seeing real shifts in our trade balance and chipping away at the deficit toward a surplus.”

Trade Wins Highlighted by Government Officials

Callahan points to eight signed trade agreements with: Malaysia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Argentina, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Indonesia. She says these are binding agreements, where the foreign governments are:

lowering tariffs for U.S. ag products
removing unfair trade practices
and lifting regulatory barriers

“These are serious binding trade agreements that will deliver real value for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Callahan says. And when asked if Congressional action to codify agreements is necessary, Callahan says that action would be supported but should not be necessary.

“These foreign governments have made binding commitments in terms of adjusting tariff schedules, they are also making regulatory changes. USTR will be enforcing these agreements. They are enforceable.”

Examples of enforceable commitments include:

Indonesia removes its import licensing requirements
Malaysia accepts facilities on their registration list as long as FSIS has them on their list

The Future of the U.S./China Trade Relationship

At the 2026 Top Producer Summit, Lyu Jiang, minister for economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., characterized the U.S. and Chinese relationship being a phase of stabilization.

When prompted to react, Callahan agreed saying, “We very much want a stable, predictable, transactional relationship with our Chinese counterparts. We do want to normalize, bring reciprocity and balance back to our trade relationship and ensure that U.S. farmers, and ranchers can benefit from the Chinese market again.”

She says her office is balancing the agricultural stakeholders wanting access to the large-scale Chinese market with a strategy to also diversify trade partnerships as to not be too reliant on a single country.

“We are working through the agreement on reciprocal trade to diversify our markets so we don’t overly rely on China,” she says. “We are looking to address that very serious situation where China may see agriculture as a pain point for the United States.”

With the upcoming meeting of President Trump and President Xi in April, Callahan says her team and the larger U.S. trade team is working to prepare and set the stage for a positive outcome. Callahan points to specific issues to be worked through and market focuses spanning crops and livestock.

“Both sides want the meetings to be a success,” she says. “Certainly, in the meetings leading up to the president level discussion, we will be having open and frank conversations with China where we need to see areas of improvement. That’s not limited to soybeans to sorghum. Our beef producers don’t have access to China due to China’s unfortunate actions that are not renewing facility registrations.”

The Review of USMCA

With a goal of “reciprocity and balance across north America” the trade team is working on its review of the North American trade deal.

“We absolutely understand the importance of USMCA for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Callahan says.

Describing this as a “comprehensive review” she says that spans:

Look at what is working
Maintain what is working
Improve on areas not be delivering the benefits U.S. farmers and ranchers expect

She brings up the overall trade balance with Canada and specifically, Canadian dairy.

“With Canada, we went from a $3 billion deficit in 2020 and now we have an $11 billion ag trade deficit. So there are certainly areas for improvement, and we’re taking all of our stakeholders’ comments into consideration,” Callahan says.

5 Key Ag Policy Changes Farmers Should Watch in 2026

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:49:23 GMT

Jim Wiesemeyer, a Washington, D.C.-based policy analyst, says this past year has brought renewed turbulence in trade and farm support, and for the year ahead, farmers can expect more of the same in terms of how policies interact within disciplines and in an accelerated fashion.

“You can’t just look at ‘ag’ or ‘farm policy’ any longer,” he says. “It’s interrelated.”

He points to examples in animal health and border policy, as well as biofuels and tax credits.

That’s one big takeaway from the past year in how agricultural policy (and politics) have evolved. Here are a handful more from Wiesemeyer’s recent appearance on “AgriTalk” with Chip Flory:

1. Domestic Ag Policy Expands Into Geopolitical Issues

“Look at when Treasury Secretary [Scott] Bessent announced the bond swap with Argentina. It zapped soybeans and affected the timing of Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans,” Wiesemeyer says. “That was almost an off-the-cuff statement, and it had major implications.”

Regarding trade, he says while international outreach has to continue, the disconnect in U.S.-China trade relations will continue to unfold with repercussions.

“With U.S. and China trade, it’s a truce. I tell farmers don’t think this won’t linger for multiple years. We are in a geopolitical war with China,” he says.

The impact will be twofold:

First, U.S. officials need to continue to do market development to expand market share in other countries, and this includes ag goods beyond soybeans.
Second, it increases even more in the need for domestic utilization. That includes food policy and ag energy policy, but Wiesemeyer adds he doesn’t expect to see renewable fuels mandates announced until late next year.

2. There Are Question Marks Around Additional Farmer Aid

Wiesemeyer says legislators have said they are talking about more financial assistance programs for farmers, however, he doesn’t see a frictionless discussion surrounding the topic.

“Because not only of Republicans, but also a number of Democrats who say there are other issues to resolve before we sign off on this. But the verdict is out if they’ll succeed,” he says.

3. Consumer Pricing Directs a Lot of Dialogue

From the president’s comments about beef prices being too high to the repetitive use of “affordability” around food prices, Wiesemeyer sees the subject of consumer pricing continuing to garner attention.

4. The Brouhaha About MAHA

Wiesemeyer has a bit of a warning about the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. While the latest report showed a more “practical” approach to the use of pesticides and modern ag technologies, he says there is more to come from a policy standpoint.

“We’re going to get the first serious definition of ultra-processed food. We’ve had legal cases in California, where some companies are being challenged on the impacts of ultra-processed food in children. The next commission report will be important,” he says.

5. Will Government Deregulation Equal Economic Growth?

“Federal government deregulation will hit overdrive in 2026,” Wiesemeyer says.

He says Trump’s approach to simplifying permitting processes, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, could bring lower energy prices — a continuation of the trend in gasoline prices plus the promise of lowering or tempering the run-up in electricity prices.

“That combination plus the One Big Beautiful Bill being implemented in ’26, I think we’re going to have a good economy and GDP,” he says.

HELP Act Seeks Relief for Livestock Haulers

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:26:57 GMT

The Hauling Exemptions for Livestock Protection (HELP) Act , HR 4500, was introduced July 17 and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The HELP Act would allow truck drivers who haul livestock, insects and aquatic animals to be permanently exempt from Hours-of-Service (HOS) requirements in order to accommodate the unique and ever-changing needs of the live cargo they are carrying.

The bill builds on previous temporary exemptions given to livestock haulers during COVID.

“These provisions regulating livestock haulers have proven time and time again to be unnecessary and burdensome,” says Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd in a press release . “Live animals have unique care needs and require flexibility to be safely transported along the supply chain. Frequent road closures and adverse weather makes this flexibility especially important in Colorado. The HELP Act provides this critical regulatory relief and allows haulers to continue delivering for our producers and food supply safely and effectively, as they’ve shown for over two years during the pandemic.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its support of the legislation.

“When you are hauling cattle, you are dealing with livestock that must be protected from the elements and cannot be easily unloaded until you get to your destination. Livestock haulers need flexibility to complete their trips free from government mandates,” says NCBA policy division chair Skye Krebs, an Oregon rancher who hauls livestock and holds a commercial driver’s license. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, haulers and ranchers like me were granted additional flexibility on hours of service and electronic logging devices. In that time, we proved we could safely transport our livestock and also support the overall supply chain.”

The HELP Act codifies HOS and ELD exemptions that were issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for about two years during the pandemic. Since then, America’s livestock haulers have been burdened by HOS rules again, but this legislation would reinstate permanent exemptions — providing the flexibility necessary to safely transport livestock.

“Anyone who has spent time around agriculture knows livestock require unique care and flexibility,” says Rep. Tracey Mann from Kansas, who joins Hurd in leading the legislation. “The Department of Transportation’s hours of service and electronic logging device rules fail to take that reality into account and puts unnecessary burdens on livestock, livestock haulers and the nation’s food supply chain as a whole. Our bill rolls back these burdensome regulations and gives our nation’s livestock haulers the flexibility they need to keep our food supply chain strong.”

Last week, FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced they are withdrawing a proposed rule to mandate speed limiters in trucks. This announcement was welcome news for livestock haulers, but HOS and ELD mandates continue to pose a threat to drivers.

The Science-Backed Nutritional Superpowers of Pork

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:59:09 GMT

In an age where greater care and attention is given to our food choices, lean pork stands out for its high-quality, protein-packed content and a positive contributor to overall health. What’s more, pork’s story is even more impressive when you consider its low environmental footprint, unique fit in a range of modern diets and lifestyles, and the fact that it is accessible and affordable. Including pork in one’s diet is a simple and delicious way to eat healthier.

For those of us in the industry, we are keenly aware of pork’s nutritional superpowers. Now, the renewed national focus on the correlation between what Americans eat and how it impacts our overall wellbeing creates a timely opening for our industry to highlight the proven health benefits of eating pork.

When it comes to policy decisions, it is vital that regulators and policymakers follow science on any recommendations regarding the wellbeing of the nation. This is particularly important with continued calls to replace animal proteins in Americans’ diets with plant-based alternatives. These calls are frequently rooted in emotion and not driven by nutritional science. Ongoing debates over the Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight this struggle between inclusion of authentic protein over plant-based alternatives. While a balanced diet is essential, numerous studies have shown the quality of protein from animal-based sources far exceeds that found in plant-based foods.

Science demonstrates that animal protein provides a complete amino acid profile, including readily absorbable forms of iron and B12, key nutrients that plant-based alternatives lack. Removing animal proteins from our diet would result in a nutritional gap that plant-based foods cannot fill. In fact, current nutritional science supports the critical need for meat in a healthy diet, rather than the reduction of it.

Also in the food policy space, the unveiling of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report in May underscored the need for education and sound science in food policy discussions. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is continuing to make every effort to ensure regulators understand not only the healthfulness of eating pork but also the well-established and safe tools and inputs producers need to raise healthy pigs.

Lean pork is a heart-healthy protein choice that is versatile, flavorful, affordable, and is protein-packed with essential nutrients. Pork is the number one most consumed meat in the world, in part, because it’s nutritious. This is the message we need to continue to spread and push back on nutrition advice that lacks science-backed facts of pork’s health benefits. America’s pork producers will continue to support human health and nutrition policies that ensure the availability of safe, wholesome, and nutritious protein for all Americans — and will do so with science on our side.

Ashley Johnson is the food policy director for NPPC.

Your Next Read: ‘I Never Thought About Pork That Way’: Pork’s New Campaign is Surprising People

Quiet Crisis, Unfolding Rapidly: Big Questions Remain For Next Gen Farmers

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:31:49 GMT

Florida fresh produce grower Jim Alderman says one thing is his biggest worry.

“Who is coming behind us? That’s the part that keeps me up at night. It’s not just about growing crops, it also passing down knowledge, discipline and our way of life,” he said during a recent congressional hearing on the aging workforce in agriculture.

Earlier this year, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) spearheaded a special committee report on America’s Aging Farm Workforce.

Four drivers were highlighted:

Aging demographics
Declining farm numbers
Barriers for new farmers
Regulatory and economic pressures

As a follow up, on June 4, the senate special committee he oversees had a hearing “America’s Vanishing Family Farms.”

“Unfortunately, the farming and agricultural workforce is aging and nearing retirement, and fewer and fewer young people are looking to take over their family’s farms or enter the agriculture industry,” Sen. Scott said. “We face significant challenges to agricultural production, rural community sustainability, and U.S. food security. Here’s why this matters: U.S. food security is national security.”

Recent stats he points to include:

1/3 of farmers and ranchers are over the age of 65
This same group owns more than 40% of U.S. farmland
More than 80% of farmers work a second job
Since 2007, 200,000 farms have disappeared
The 2022 census showed the loss of over 140,000 farms in 5 years. That’s an average of 77 farms per day. 
Since 2007, more than 40 million acres of farmland is now used for commercial, residential or industrial purposes
Farmland prices have increased 7% in three years

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) is ranking member on the special committee for aging and said, “To encourage younger generation to returning to Farmer we farming, we must invest in our rural communities.”

Witnesses shared testimony highlighting the pain points, overall trends and discussed potential policy solutions.

“As I travel the country and see farms across our great country, I see a lot of gray hair, and while the wisdom of older generations is critical, we must ensure that we make a way for young and beginning farmers to fill our boots,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

What are those policy provisions that could assist with the farm labor issues?

1. The Farm Bill
In his testimony, Duvall shared a getting a farm bill passed by congress is critical to signal stability and predictability in agriculture.

“We need a modernized 5 year farm bill,” he said. “Rising interest rates, higher energy prices, supply costs that have gone unchecked, farmers will plant the most expensive crop ever planted this year, and many have faced a tough decision of whether or not to even plant that crop. This is why the farm bill and its Title One safety net is so critical.”

2. Estate tax provisions

Duvall also highlighted the importance of the estate tax exemption for farmers for transitioning the farm business from one generation to the next. He applauded the House for its consideration of in the One Big Beautiful Bill it recently passed, and encouraged the senate to follow.

3. Farm worker programs, specifically H-2A

“It’s time to modernize our outdated system, and only Congress can meaningfully do that,” Duvall said.

Alderman uses H-2A labor and says reform is a must.

“We are now dependent on H-2A labor from Mexico,” he said. “Without them, we can’t harvest our crops.”

For Alderman in Florida, whereas minimum wage is $12.50/hour, H-2A labor is compensated at $26/hour plus the expense of housing, transportation and visas.

Duvall adds the federal government needs to revisit its wage structure for H-2A labor, citing the wage rates were set by a study done 60 years ago intended to calculate on-farm employment totals, not compensation.

“We’re going to price ourselves out of farming,” he says. Duvall is advocating for an updated program and one that includes year-round provisions for dairy farmers, and other parts of the industry that need full-time labor not just seasonal help.

“How can a young farmer come back to the farm and bring his expertise that he learned in college, expand that farm without having a labor force to do that. It’s one of the biggest limiting factors we have,” Duvall says.

4. Economic stability, risk management and trade.

“The incentive to make a profit isn’t there,” Alderman says. “If the farmer isn’t going to make money, he’s not able to expand his operation.”

Aaron Locker, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed calls this a quietly unfolding crisis that is rapidly cutting across the agriculture.

“And the consequences for our food supply, our rural communities, and our national security are serious,” he said. “The 1980s farm crisis didn’t just damage balance sheets. It’s changed the interest of being involved in agriculture. That gap is being realized today in board rooms, field office, agronomy teams and more.”

The witnesses answered questions about President Trump’s trade policy and tariffs, with Duvall saying farmers have supported the president’s long-term vision to bring a “level playing field,” but he also says this fall will be a critical time for some progress when farmers are slated to harvest and sell commodities at low prices with high input costs.

5. Regulatory considerations.

Alderman says there are areas of his fresh produce business being over-regulated, which has put extra financial pressure when competing with imported crops. As an example, he points to multiple food safety inspections which could be replaced with a one-time inspection.

And in conjunction with the regulation on his business, he has seen how a lapse in regulatory authority over imported produce inspected at the borders has negatively effected the industry.

“For example, the citrus industry with citrus greening, it’s devastated the cirtrus industry. We have gone from 240 million boxes of oranges in production to around 40 million boxes today,” he said, and added Florida produce growers are introduced with a new thirp or weevil every growing season, which takes months to contain and identify proper controls.

6. Provide mental health resources

Christopher A. Wolf, Ph.D. from Cornell University says its New York FarmNet receives 700 calls a year. Financial stress include price uncertainty, labor cost and availability, capital costs, land access, and estate and succession planning. Family-related farm stressors include health insurance, childcare, eldercare, and drug and alcohol abuse.

“Male farmers have a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the national,” he said. “Financial stress is one of the primary contributors to the depression and suicide rate. Additionally, mental health stigma and lack of access to care are major barriers.”

U.S. Supreme Court Relists Proposition 12 Case

Fri, 23 May 2025 21:22:25 GMT

The U.S. Supreme Court is again considering a challenge to California’s Proposition 12, the state law that bans the sale of pork from animals not raised under California’s arbitrary welfare standards. In the latest petition, Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) v. Bonta, the petition claims that Proposition 12 violates the dormant commerce clause by discriminating against out-of-state pork producers, who they say had less “lead time” to comply than California farmers subject to an earlier law, Proposition 2.

The case was relisted or marked “Distributed for Conference” on May 15 and again on May 22. When a case is relisted, the justices do not grant or deny review, but instead will reconsider the case at their next conference, according to an article on SCOTUS Blog .

Discrimination Claims
SCOTUS Blog says it is almost impossible to know exactly what is happening when a particular case is relisted, but there are a few possibilities from one justice trying to pick up a fourth vote to grant review to one or more justices wanting to look more closely at the case. It could also be because a justice is writing an opinion about the court’s decision to deny review or the court could be writing an opinion to summarily reverse (that is, rule in favor of the petitioning party without briefing or oral argument on the merits).

This case filed by IPPA claims discrimination because California producers could get ready for Prop 12 longer than producers in other states like Iowa.

In the reply filed by IPPA on April 25, footnote 3 details an additional discrimination that under the Prop 12 certification process, farms have to be audited. California producers get free audits from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) while producers in other states must pay a third-party auditor.

The footnote reads: “CDFA offers auditing services to obtain the mandated certification for California farmers, while forcing out-of-state farmers to retain and pay private certifiers. Notably, CDFA only offers the audit and certification services to in-state farmers and CDFA is the only approved governmental entity who is allowed to provide certification services.”

Read the CDFA guidance for pork producers here.

What Happens Now?
“If the Supreme Court does rehear it, we’ve got a history here saying where the Farm Bureau and the National Pork Producers Council lost their prior Supreme Court challenge,” Jim Wiesemeyer pointed out to AgriTalk host Chip Flory on May 23. “Remember, Justice Kavanaugh offered some suggestions. So maybe if the Supreme Court does rehear it, they’ll listen this time to Kavanaugh’s effective roadmap to how to be successful on this.”

However, it’s a waiting game to find out if SCOTUS will hear the case or not.

“We should know that pretty soon,” Wiesemeyer says. “I hope it does happen, because I think the ag industry did not adequately prepare their case the first time. Now, they’ve got an effective roadmap to use. I just hope the new challenge is accepted.”

Your Next Read: Pork Producers Aren’t Giving Up on a Prop 12 Fix

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act Introduced to Promote Fair Play

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:07:06 GMT

With the goal of strengthening the enforcement of the Stockyards and Packers Act, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the senate judiciary committee and a member of the senate agriculture committee, joined Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; Mike Rounds, R-S.D.; and Peter Welch, D-Vt., to introduce the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act .

The act would create and empower a team of investigators at USDA to prevent anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry industry by enforcing existing antitrust laws, in coordination with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

In a press release, the senators said the legislation will allow more opportunities for ranchers and drive down meat prices for shoppers.

“For decades, America’s big four meatpackers’ anticompetitive practices have made it harder for Iowa cattle producers to receive a fair price,” Grassley said. “Our bill empowers USDA, in coordination with the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission, to crack down on bad actors, ensuring a fair and functional marketplace that supports everyone who produces and enjoys quality American meat.”

Wyden, Welch, Rounds and Grassley’s bipartisan legislation would specifically strengthen the enforcement of existing price-fixing laws to ensure the big four meatpackers comply.

“For too long, Oregon ranchers and consumers have been greedily exploited by the big four meatpackers that sneak their way around regulations,” Wyden said. “While local ranchers work tirelessly day and night to support their small business and feed families across the country, these big companies keep raking in bigger bills at the expense of local communities in red and blue states alike. It’s way past time to level the playing field for local ranchers and bring grocery prices down for consumers at the meat counter by better enforcing laws that are already on the books.”

Rounds added, “Anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry hurt producers and consumers alike. Currently, four large companies, two of which are foreign-owned, control over 80% of the meat processing market. Our legislation would establish an office within the USDA to investigate violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, which will support competition in meat and poultry markets.”

Reducing meat and dairy prices at the grocery store is a goal of the legislation.

“Vermonters rely on fresh foods from local farmers and ranchers to feed their families,” Welch said. “But with meat and dairy prices at the grocery store soaring sky high, small producers across the country are struggling to make ends meet and support their businesses. The rapid consolidation of the meatpacking industry further cripples fair competition. Our bipartisan bill will bring down costs for consumers and create opportunities for producers in red and blue states alike.”

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act is endorsed by the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.

Your Next Read: New Food Security and Farm Protection Act Protects Farmers and Consumers From Government Overreach

Where Do Harris and Trump Stand On Ag Policy Issues?

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:19:35 GMT

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released the unedited responses from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump to its questionnaire on federal agricultural policy. This initiative allows Farm Bureau members to directly compare each candidate’s platform.

AFBF has been collecting and sharing responses from presidential candidates across parties for over 40 years to provide transparency on key agricultural issues.

Overview
Trump supports increasing commodity price supports, improving crop insurance, and focusing on innovation to keep ahead of China. He also pledged to lower energy bills and end Biden’s net-zero emissions policies.

Harris highlights the Biden administration’s initiatives to protect small farmers from unfair competition, citing Trump’s previous proposals for deep cuts to critical farming programs.

Farm policy and programs

Trump emphasized strengthening crop insurance and risk management programs, as well as supporting beginning farmers and ranchers. He highlighted his previous administration’s efforts, including signing a “massive Farm Bill” that improved agriculture programs and increased borrowing limits for farmers.
Harris focused on defending programs that allow farmers and ranchers to prosper, criticizing Trump’s proposed cuts to essential farming programs. She emphasized the importance of crop insurance and risk management tools.

Regulatory issues

Trump pledged to slash regulations that he believes stifle American agriculture and increase costs. He cited his previous administration’s efforts to cut regulations, claiming it saved farmers and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Harris committed to reducing excessive red tape while maintaining necessary protections.

On labor, both were vague.

Trump said he supports merit-based immigration.
Harris advocates for immigration reform to benefit the economy and farmers.

Environmental issues

Trump emphasized increasing ethanol production and reducing EPA regulations. Trump promised to end Biden’s net-zero emissions policies.
Harris underscored the importance of clean water and conservation efforts.

Trade policy

Trump promised to fight barriers to agricultural exports and highlighted his previous administration’s trade deals, including the Phase 1 agreement with China.
Harris vowed to stand firm against unfair trade practices, especially from China. She criticized Trump’s previous trade war, citing the costs to farmers and taxpayers.

Endangered Species Act

Trump suggested focusing on incentive-based programs for species recovery, criticizing the current law’s effectiveness.
Harris emphasized the need for cooperative initiatives that consider all Americans, including farmers and ranch owners, in conservation efforts.

California Proposition 12 Took Effect Jan. 1, But Supreme Court Action Ahead

Fri, 12 May 2023 15:42:56 GMT

Another California law could have major implications for hog producers, consumers

(Note: DC Signal to Noise podcast on Monday morning beginning at 9:15 a.m. ET will include comments on this topic from Michael Formica, AVP and general counsel for the National Pork Producers Council.)

A California ballot initiative took effect on Saturday that is expected to have major impacts on the pork industry and product prices. It is the Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act, also known as Proposition 12 ( link ). It was backed by the Humane Society and approved by 63% of California voters in 2018. Link to frequently asked questions.

The law establishes minimum space requirements for farm animals and prohibits the sale of meat from animals raised in housing that doesn’t meet its specifications. State regulators will inspect out-of-state farms to ensure they are in compliance. A business owner or operator — including supermarkets, restaurants and meat processors — found to be violating the law could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable with fines up to $1,000 or as many as 180 days in jail, as well as civil penalties. The law applies to uncooked pork. A restaurant typically sells cooked pork so they aren’t targeted. However, their suppliers will be subject to the law, which is why the restaurant industry is concerned. “Can’t cook pork, if you can’t purchase it,” summed up one source.

The bigger issue is the stand-up, turn around provision which fundamentally changes how sows are bred, industry sources note. Says one pork industry official: “Even group house sows won’t comply. In the best performing systems, after piglets are weaned off, sows are moved into individual pens for about 7 days to allow recovery and cut down on fighting, while the sows are bred to ensure the embryo can attach to the uterine wall before they are moved into a group housing. That has been outlawed if you want to sell into California. Most group systems actually keep them there about 35 days until they can confirm pregnancy. Those are also outlawed.”

Details: The law requires that egg-laying hens, calves raised for veal and breeding pigs (sows) be able to lie down, stand up, and turn around in the spaces in which they are housed without touching the sides of the stall or another animal. Hog farmers will be most affected. Most sows are housed in individual pens. Proposition 12 prescribes that sows must have at least 24 square feet of floor space to move around, which would effectively require large group pens. The law applies to any uncooked cut of veal or pork meat. One industry contact adds, “The 24 square feet is troublesome enough — it’s an arbitrary number, and a significant expansion of space (that will be completely unused) for group housing. But the real impact is the stand-up, turn around requirement and the lack of any flexibility around it.”

In the proposed California regulations issued over the summer, the California Department of Agriculture (CDFA) proposed defining the scope of products and transactions covered by Prop 12, recordkeeping and documentation requirements, registration requirements, and a third-party certification scheme, among other details. The Updated Proposed Regulations make modest changes to the earlier proposed regulations in response to stakeholder comments. But industry sources stress it is important to point out that these regulations were due to be issued on Sept 1, 2019. “CDFA is 28 months late in issuing them, and likely won’t have them issued till mid-2022. That’s a big issue. How do you make investments into a system when it’s not clear what your required to do?” asks one industry official familiar with the topic.

Hog farmers have repeatedly warned this could endanger the health and safety of sows. Aggressive sows might also attack other sows in their pens. Others note there is little if any evidence these space regulations reduce the risk of food-borne illness. With regard to pork, “there is ZERO evidence that the regulations have any impact on food borne illness. Even CDFA has admitted this,” a pork industry official said. “Supporters of Proposition 12 claimed it would improve animal welfare and food safety. The law fails to address either of those issues,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers know the best way to care for their animals. This law takes away the flexibility to ensure hogs are raised in a safe environment while driving up the cost of providing food for America’s families. Small family farms well beyond California’s borders will be hit hardest as they are forced to make expensive and unnecessary changes to their operations. This will lead to more consolidation in the pork industry and higher prices at the grocery store, meaning every family in America will ultimately pay the price for Prop 12.”

California accounts for about 13% of pork consumed nationwide, yet only about 0.1% of the nation’s pigs are born and raised there — Californians eat around one in every seven pounds of all pork consumed by Americans every year. Hog farmers say the costs of complying with Proposition 12 would be borne by every pork consumer in the country because of complex supply chains. In March 2021, Christine McCracken, executive director of the animal protein division at Rabobank, published a report ( link ) in which she predicted a Prop 12 pork shortage. According to the report, California eats about 15% of the nation’s pork, but only 4% of sows were raised in housing compliant with Prop 12. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says less than 1% of U.S. pork meet’s Prop 12 standards and estimates that getting into compliance would raise production costs 9.2% at the farm level, or about $13 a pig.

Proposition 12 would also mandate tracking systems to certify that pork sold in California originated from a sow at a compliant farm. Such tracking systems have yet to be developed, and the state has yet to finalize rules detailing how businesses are supposed to comply. The CDFA didn’t propose rules for public comment to implement the law until May — about 18 months later than the date required in the ballot initiative. The agency proposed revisions on Dec. 3, but final rules aren’t expected until later this year.

The Updated Proposed Regulations include changes and clarifications to the following areas:

Scope of Coverage of the Prop 12 Requirements

Further clarifies that sales are deemed to occur where the recipient “takes physical possession” of the covered food, without regard to title transfer, use of agents, or other contractual terms.
Revises the proposed definition of a “commercial sale” to remove “offer for sale,” “expose for sale,” and “possesses for sale” from the definition, which in turn affects what conduct is covered by Prop 12.
Clarifies that sales made directly to federal agencies, made on federal lands, or made on tribal lands are not subject to Prop 12.
In the definition of “Flavoring,” clarifies that the reference to substances listed in 21 CFR Part 184 applies only to “substances with a use described as a flavoring, flavoring agent, or flavoring enhancer.”

Marking and Labeling Requirements

Changes the required marking on shipping and title documents to:
- For shell eggs and liquid eggs: “Egg CA Prop 12 Compliant.”
- For whole veal meat: “Veal CA Prop 12 Compliant.”
- For whole pork meat: “Pork CA Prop 12 Compliant.”
Eliminates the proposed requirement to include a Prop 12 statement on cartons of shell eggs.
For covered products not destined for commercial sale in California, shortened the required statement on shipping documents to “For Export,” “For Transport,” (applies to shell or liquid eggs), “For Transshipment” (applies to whole veal meat and whole pork meat), or “Not Prop 12 Compliant.”
For covered products destined for further processing at an establishment inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the shipping documents must be marked “Only for use at [identify the establishment number]”. The establishment number must include the prefix “G” or “M” (depending on whether it’s an egg products plant or a meat processing establishment).

Minimum Confinement Requirements

Eliminates specific enclosure requirements that would have applied prior to January 1, 2022 (e.g., the requirement that egg-laying hens be provided a minimum of 144 square inches of usable floor space) under the rationale that the regulations will not be finalized before January 1, 2022.
Adds an exemption to the minimum confinement requirements for breeding pigs during the five-day period prior to the breeding pig’s expected date of giving birth and for any day that the breeding pig is nursing piglets.

Effective Dates

Pushes back by one year the effective dates for distributor registration and third-party certification:
- The effective date for distributor registration would be pushed back to January 1, 2023.
- Parties would be able to self-certify compliance with the requirements (instead of needing a third-party certification) through the end of 2023. Starting January 1, 2024, third-party certifications would be required.
The Updated Proposed Regulations do not change the January 1, 2022, effective date for the 24-square foot minimum enclose size for breeding pigs.

Enforcement and Related Issues

Removes references to “other enforcement officers” and clarifies through explanatory language that CDFA officers will be the only state officials charged with enforcing the requirements.
Establishes a formal process for appealing adverse determinations.
Requires that appeals of certification decisions be made within 30 days.

California says that pork currently in cold storage can continue to be sold after Dec. 31. NPPC says meat processors are evaluating their options.

Impacts. “Ultimately, it’s going to be California consumers who pay the price,” said Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association. “Either they’re not going to be able to get the product, or they’re going to be paying a lot more for it.” But proponents of the initiative note that major companies including Perdue Farms have indicated they will be “Prop 12 ready.” The California Department of Food and Agriculture estimates that uknder the new law, annual food costs could rise about $50 for each resident, with only 10% of the increase attributed to pork or veal expenses.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) commented on the topic with the following Tweets:

“Even tho California is trying to take Iowa’s fine pork away from consumers w their war on breakfast/prop12 join me in celebrating Natl Bacon Day 2day /Iowa is number 1 pork state in the country & we are proud of our quality/delicious products”

“Iowa pork won’t b allowed to enter California if Supreme Court doesn’t strike down CA prop 12 law If justices don’t act congress must step up & regulate interstate commerce my EATS bill wld fix Do Californians realize pork prices are abt 2go up even higher just 4 their state??”

Court battles past and ahead. Pork producers and retailers have sued to block Proposition 12, which they argue is an extraterritorial regulation that violates the Supreme Court’s dormant Commerce Clause doctrine. The court has repeatedly held that a state may not directly regulate commerce conducted entirely in another state even if it has cross-border “effects.” In late July, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a challenge to Prop 12 from the NPPC and Farm Bureau. The groups are now petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case. Sources note the petition by NPPC and Farm Bureau is scheduled for a Supreme Court conference on January 7. But that is also the day the Supreme Court is having oral arguments in the vaccine mandate case. “There is a high likelihood that they will have an initial discussion in conference on the 7th, then wait until the 14th to make a final decision on taking the case or not. If they do that, we would find out likely at about 9:30 am ET on Tuesday the 18th,” a contact detailed. “The court isn’t deciding the case, they are merely deciding whether to take the case up.”

Meanwhile, restaurants, grocery stores and industry groups in California are suing the state to block the farm animal welfare law. The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court in Sacramento, says that a “disconnect” between the bill approved by voters three years ago and the way the state is carrying it out will cause compliance chaos for all affected industries, especially the pork supply chain, which it says will face “substantial disruptions,” potentially including an abrupt stop to pork sales. The plaintiffs, including the California Grocers Association and the California Restaurant Association, are calling for a 28-month postponement to begin once final regulations are adopted. In Iowa, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit in August that was filed by pork companies in the state challenging the proposition’s regulation of out-of-state businesses.

In Massachusetts, voters adopted a ballot measure on livestock enclosures in 2016. When some state lawmakers realized the law might imperil Massachusetts’s food economy during a time of already rampant food inflation, just days before the law was set to take effect, they were forced to amend it. “Without legislative action, eggs born of hens that have less than 1.5 square feet of space could not be sold in the state,” the Boston Globe reported ( link ) last week. “It’s a standard industry leaders warn is strict enough to effectively destroy the market: Up to 90% of the eggs currently being supplied to Massachusetts will disappear from shelves, they said, unless the Legislature changed the standard slated to go in effect in January.” The state’s lawmakers ultimately agreed on a 7½-month delay, meaning the requirements on pork will phase in on Aug. 15. Besides delaying the initiative’s implementation, the compromise measure requires the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to write rules and regulations for the law, in consultation with the state’s attorney general — who originally was given authority — within six months. The bill passed recently requires just 1 square foot per bird in a “multi-tier aviary,” which would allow hens room to move vertically but require less floor space. It also would mandate that cage-free hen houses feature “enrichments that allow [hens] to exhibit natural behaviors,” including scratch areas, perches, nest boxes, and dust-bathing areas. (The rest of the new standards for eggs and veal still took effect Jan. 1.) “I want the pork industry to know, in no uncertain terms, that there will be no further extensions for them in Massachusetts,” Lewis said. “They must come into compliance with Massachusetts law . . . if they wish to continue selling their products to our consumers,” said state Sen. Jason M. Lewis, a Winchester Democrat and the chamber’s lead negotiator on the deal.

White House Reaches Tentative Accord to Avert National Rail Strike

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:18:25 GMT

In a statement, President Joe Biden said the White House has reached a tentative agreement to avert a national rail strike. He says the offer will guarantee “better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their health care costs” for the workers.

“The agreement is also a victory for railway companies who will be able to retain and recruit more workers for an industry that will continue to be part of the backbone of the American economy for decades to come,” Biden said in the statement.

A Department of Labor official confirmed that a deal “that balances the needs of workers, businesses, and our nation’s economy” was reached in the early hours of the morning on Thursday after 20 consecutive hours of negotiations between rail companies and union negotiators.

“Secretary Walsh and the Biden administration applaud all parties for reaching this hard-fought, mutually beneficial deal,” a labor official said. “Our rail system is integral to our supply chain, and a disruption would have had catastrophic impacts on industries, travelers and families across the country.”

Update:

Union members hold final say on us rail deal, or possible strike. Marathon talks led to a tentative agreement Thursday. What happens next depends on more than 100,000 workers represented by a several different unions, who’ll have to decide whether to ratify their leaders’ deals or reject them, setting the stage for a massive work stoppage.
The tentative deal, the text of which hasn’t been publicly released, included record wage increases and new protections but didn’t include paid sick days workers had sought, according to union leaders. The tentative freight-rail agreements include a 24% wage increase over five years, 2020 through 2024, including 14.1% effective immediately, as well as five annual $1,000 payments, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee said.
The cooling-off period in which work stoppages are prohibited has been extended to last several weeks past when workers vote to accept or reject its terms, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. A timeline for those votes has not been released.
The dilemma: Union members are likely to weigh the viability of pulling off a successful strike and the political impact it could have before the midterm elections, as well as how much the tentative deal does to address their core concerns, said Wilma Liebman, a former deputy director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and former chair of the National Labor Relations Board.
Another try: The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union says it is now working to get a new agreement after its members rejected a tentative deal that had been struck earlier.
Some agreement: The BLET, the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail & Transportation Workers, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen have all now agreed to the tentative pact, according to the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, which represents national freight railways in bargaining. Together, the three speak for about 60,000 workers, it said in a statement.
Feel the Bern? Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement: “Now it’s up to the rank-and-file union members to evaluate this deal and determine whether it works for them. These workers have not had a raise in three years and continue to work incredibly long hours under brutal working conditions. I will respect and support whatever decision they make.”
Freight railroads immediately restored services they had suspended earlier in the week. Union Pacific Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. said they are working to resume normal operations after halting some service in anticipation of a work stoppage.
Bottom line: The deal, if approved, could raise shipping costs as railroads try to recoup their added labor costs, analysts said. But it could improve service, which has suffered from capacity and labor shortages.