Articles by Jim Webster

Seven former secretaries of agriculture during their joint appearance at USDA’s Outlook Forum today united in the belief that increasing production to meet the needs of billions more people in the coming years will be its greatest test.

An open letter calls for MoveOn.org to remove a petition critcal of Michael Taylor, deputy comissioner for foods.

In one of the most closely-followed congressional races in the farm policy community, Democrat Christie Vilsack has built a financial lead in her challenge to incumbent Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, in a new district that includes many traditionally conservative-leaning rural counties.

A former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee believes that the political momentum has shifted in in the direction of a federal policy that would relax some of the tax incentives and mandates that have encouraged the heavy use of corn in ethanol production.

The dairy reform proposal developed by milk producer co-ops was to be introduced in the House today

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The National Milk Producers Federation board offered today to revise its dairy policy reform proposal by allowing a farmer the choice between accepting the margin protection of a government safety net program or taking a chance on the market.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 – USDA announced several non-career staffing changes today, adding Elanor Starmer as a special assistant to the under secretary for marking and regulatory programs and naming Juan M. Garcia deputy administrator for farm programs at the Farm Service Agency.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21- President Obama’s proposal to trim farm program spending by $33 million over 10 years looks generous to agriculture if you compare it with a recommendation of a panel of agricultural economists convened by the American Enterprise Institute. They urged that the “super committee

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service took extra care to be on solid analytical and legal ground this week before it asked Cargill Meat Solutions to order the largest poultry recall in history. However, it was apparent in a briefing for reporters Thursday, its prudent mana