Articles by Philip Brasher

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance is downplaying the potential impact on agriculture of former President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose across-the-board tariffs on U.S. imports. At the same time, he says Trump’s tariff policy is critical to protecting U.S. industry, and he denies that tariffs would increase consumer prices.

Former President Donald Trump, responding to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation, is throwing his support behind increasing commodity price supports and other assistance for producers. But Vice President Kamala Harris notes Trump proposed budgets that would have cut some farm programs. 

USDA lowered its estimate of the already sagging farmgate price of corn while maintaining relatively strong forecasts for corn and soybean production.

Leaders of the House and Senate Ag committees are working together to lay the groundwork for passing a farm bill before the end of the year. That’s according to a memo to House Ag Committee Democrats from the panel’s ranking member, David Scott of Georgia.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is making it pretty clear he has no plans to take up a farm bill this year. Schumer on Tuesday criticized House GOP leaders for omitting a farm bill extension from a continuing resolution that’s needed to keep the government funded after Sept. 30.

The cost of groceries was flat in August as lower prices for vegetables, grains and baked goods helped offset price increases for beef, poultry, eggs and dairy products.

Fruits and vegetables are still inexpensive enough that Americans can eat an adequate amount for a few dollars a day, according to USDA economists.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, debating for the first time Tuesday night, tangled over trade policy and Trump’s proposal to impose across-the-board tariffs on U.S. imports.

Banning the use of foreign biofuel feedstocks such as used cooking oil for a new tax credit could result in retaliation against U.S. farm exports, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday.

Some House Republicans say they hope the farmer fly-ins this week will spur action on a farm bill, although there’s no sign of a breakthrough between the House and Senate, and time is fast running out.