Agri-Pulse DriveTime

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley wants regular order when Congress debates a new farm bill. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the U.S. government will use incentives to promote productivity and sustainability. 

Rising tension in the Middle East and weather were key drivers in the commodity market to start the week. Washington is focused on the essentials before hitting the campaign trail prior to the November elections. 

The House of Representatives approved a resolution to push back against the EPA's tailpipe emission standards.  The vote included eight Democrats voting with members of the GOP. 

In announcing the final investment of the Biden administration's Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. Vilsack says with the right mindset, he believes Congress can deliver a new farm bill. 

With a long political agenda and a short calendar of sessions Congressional ag leaders are still discussing a new farm bill before the end of the calendar year. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley prefers the certainty of a new farm bill to another extension of outdated policy. Economists are anticipating the Feds next steps in managing financial policy. 

Agriculture leaders at today's Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City suggested a period of tight margins and low farm income for U.S. growers. 

Agriculture lenders echo comments by farmers to legislators this week about the need for a new farm bill with risk management tools that better reflect today's ag economy. 

The USDA September Crop Production Report indicates higher crop production and lower commodity prices for the year ahead adding to financial woes for U.S. producers. 

Representatives of commodity organizations continue to lobby Congressional leaders for a new farm bill this year.  House Ag Committee Chair Glenn Thompson isn't ready to settle for another farm bill extension. 

Hundreds of farmers are on Capitol Hill calling on Congress to approve a new farm bill this year. The question is if there is time and political will to complete the task this year. 

A hurricane is brewing in the Gulf Coast and political storms are developing as Congress is back to work facing an end of month deadline on a spending plan for the new fiscal year. 

Dry weather is a growing headline in Brazil and in the United States. A lack of moisture is preventing planting in the Southern Hemisphere and no rain is reducing water levels in the Mississippi River. 

The USDA's Economic Research Service lowered its forecast for U.S. farm income this year. Higher input costs and lower crop commodity prices continue to challenge farmers. 

A new USDA study suggests the number of food insecure homes and  hungry children continues to grow and is even greater than during the Covid Pandemic. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says the Senate will be the reason for another extension of the 2018 Farm Bill this year. 

Positive reports from the US economy continue to support a Fed decision to lower interest rates. The question remains how much rates will fall and how fast. 

The U.S. Economy performed better than expected, but the Fed is still expected to cut interest rates this year. 

House Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson was among a group of legislators participating in a farm bill listening session today at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa.  Thompson still wants a bill approved this year. 

Agriculture leaders at the Farm Progress Show lament the growing agriculture trade deficit and need for updated risk management tools in a new farm bill. 

The 71st Farm Progress Show opens in Boone, Iowa tomorrow. Despite a down farm economy Show Manager Matt Jungman says farmers are looking for innovation to boost efficiency.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is calling on leaders of the US Senate to get working on a farm bill and a former Illinois congresswoman makes a case for Democratic policy for rural America. 

Today's DriveTime features thoughts from the lead of the Democratic Rural Urban Bridge Initiative, soybean farmers reaction to the EPA's new Herbicide Strategy and a country ham that brings $10.5 million dollars for charity. 

The Agri-Pulse team reports comments from ag leaders in Chicago at the DNC and from Mitchell, South Dakota at Dakotafest.

U.S. Senator Michael Bennett is pleased to see worker protection as a part of the Democratic Platform.  Bennett says stepped up basis will have to be addressed when current tax policy expires.