Lawmakers are still pushing back on USDA’s reorganization plan

More than 20 lawmakers have written Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, warning the plan could go sideways for farmers. They argue Congress was left in the dark and warn any future moves out of the Beltway would be a mistake.

The group of 23 lawmakers who wrote USDA leadership were all democrats, but some Republicans, like Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, also took issue with the roll out. He says that USDA only came to the table after the fact, leaving lawmakers little time to digest the information.

Related Stories
Acreage shifts could impact pricing and marketing plans.
During opening remarks, Rollins emphasized the strength and perseverance of the agricultural community, while teasing that a new policy announcement is expected later this week.
As spring migration ramps up, USDA officials warn farmers about rising bird flu risks and urge stronger biosecurity measures. Resources are available through APHIS to help protect livestock.
Herd growth and exports supporting dairy outlook.
Strong exports continue to support corn despite larger supplies.
Crush demand is supporting soybeans despite biofuel uncertainty.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Both Congressional Ag Committees took up the bill over the summer, but there’s no word on when the Senate could move forward; it does expire on September 30.
Keir Albert of Albert Acres Cattle Company joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share his journey into raising Texas Longhorn cattle and the reason behind his trip to Kenya.
CLAAS is expanding its customer service offerings in Iowa, as well as breaking ground in Nebraska on a 44,000 square foot research and development facility that will focus on fieldwork in the region.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights on the incident and a deeper dive into the issues at hand.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.