Category Archives: Agriculture Law

Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Greg Stanley reported last month that, “The state of Minnesota will help homeowners turn their lawns into bee-friendly habitat under a spending plan approved by the Legislature and sent this week to Gov. Tim Walz. “The state will set aside $900,000 over one year to assist homeowners by covering much of… Continue Reading

A news release today from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that, “Today, [EPA] Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed the final action that would remove the key regulatory barrier to using gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol (E15) during the summer driving season and reform the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system under the Renewable Fuel Standard… Continue Reading

A recent news release from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “[FSA] Administrator Richard Fordyce reminds producers of the May 31, 2019, deadline to apply for crop year 2018 marketing assistance loans for feed grains, upland cotton, soybeans and minor oilseeds. “‘These commodity loans provide short-term financing, allowing producers to meet interim cash flow… Continue Reading

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported today that, “The 2015 waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule may have suffered a final defeat, as a Texas court Tuesday granted a motion for summary judgement to the American Farm Bureau Federation that sends the rule back to EPA. “The U.S. District Court for the Southern District… Continue Reading

Des Moines Register writers Donnelle Eller and Stephen Gruber-Miller reported yesterday that, “The federal government will send another round of aid — $16 billion — to help farmers reeling financially by President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war with China. “The trade assistance package would send $14.5 billion in direct payments to farmers, U.S. Department of Agriculture leaders… Continue Reading

A news release on Wednesday from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] today announced new benefits available to military veterans with farms or ranches who are seeking federal crop insurance coverage, including exemptions from fees and additional coverage options provided by the 2018 Farm Bill and effective for the 2019 crop year. “For veterans… Continue Reading

Bloomberg writers Mario Parker, Javier Blas, and Isis Almeida reported today that, “The agriculture deals buzz has gone quiet. “For a while, it looked as if the big trading houses that dominate agriculture were about to see their biggest shakeup in 20 years. Bunge Ltd. was targeted by rivals Glencore Plc and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., while… Continue Reading

Kristen Leigh Painter reported last week at the Minneapolis Star Tribune that, “U.S. organic sales continue to outpace the broader market, surpassing $50 billion for the first time last year, as pesticide-free, non-GMO products take a bigger slice of the total consumer dollars spent every year. “That rate is slowing from earlier this decade, a… Continue Reading

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported last week that, “A federal court Friday denied a motion for an injunction against EPA from approving additional small refinery waivers, using what the agency said is a new process for issuing those waivers to the Renewable Fuel Standard. “One year ago, the Advanced Biofuels Association petitioned the U.S. Court… Continue Reading

A news release this week from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “[FSA] will accept applications beginning June 3, 2019, for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup and will offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized CRP, one of the country’s largest conservation programs. “‘USDA offers… Continue Reading