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The article discusses the findings of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on the proposed House farm bill. According to the CBO report, direct spending would increase by 15.4 billion dollars from 2025 to 2029. Republican sponsors of the bill argued that the analysis by the CBO was flawed and would be adjusted to account for savings written into the bill. Comments from House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson about the flaws are offered.

The article focuses on the remarks by former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue that he has no interest in returning to the executive branch. Topics discussed include his memories of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), his decision to intentionally detached himself from the inner workings of USDA since leaving the executive branch, and his view on the challenge facing agriculture policymakers.

The article reports on the acceptance of applications by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a second round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants according to Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. Topics discussed include background on the launch of the RAPP, the allocation of the first 300 million dollars of RAPP funding by the USDA in May 2024 to projects overseen by 66 organizations, and deadline for RAPP funding grant applications.

The article reports on the payments being issued by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to help agricultural producers affected by discrimination. Topics include beneficiaries of the payments, statement from President Biden about the payments, and comments from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about the program.

The article reports on the changes announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Farm Service Agency's loan programs intended to help distressed borrowers and provide more flexibility. Topics include comments from FSA administrator Zech Ducheneaux on the changes, objectives identified by FSA which are included in the rule changes according to Ducheneaux, and reaction of American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall to the changes.

The article features Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate chosen by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Topics discussed include comparison of Walz with other three major party contenders for president and vice president, career of Walz before running for office, and description made by fellow Minnesota farmer Dwayne Strei on Walz.

Optimism for passing a new farm bill this year is waning, with a growing consensus that nothing will happen before the current bill expires on September 30. The Senate Agriculture Committee has made little progress on farm bill proposals, and the House Agriculture Committee has not scheduled a vote on the Republican farm bill framework. There are disagreements over the funding of the bill, with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack arguing that the House bill promises a lot but lacks the money to pay for it. The delay in passing a new bill may be due to election-year politics and the potential for Republicans to gain more leverage next year. However, the lack of a new bill negatively impacts farmers. [Extracted from the article]

The USDA has announced a new rule aimed at promoting fairer poultry markets. The rule addresses abuses in the poultry industry and seeks to ensure that poultry growers receive an honest price for their hard work. It also prohibits base price deductions in broiler chicken grower contracts and introduces new tools to help growers identify risks in production. Stakeholders have 60 days to submit comments on the proposed rule, and the USDA will consider the feedback before finalizing the rule. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the changing views on free trade and the impact of tariffs on U.S. agriculture. Under President Donald Trump, steep tariffs were imposed on China and other nations, resulting in significant losses for U.S. agricultural producers. While free trade has traditionally been a central tenet of Republican fiscal policy, there has been hesitancy to reverse these tariffs under President Joe Biden. The article highlights the complexities of the U.S.-China trade relationship and the potential consequences of higher tariffs on U.S. agriculture. [Extracted from the article]

The House Agriculture Committee has passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024, with all committee Republicans voting in favor and three Democrats breaking ranks. Republicans claim that the bill includes bipartisan priorities and does not cut SNAP benefits, while Democrats criticize the funding changes to the Thrifty Food Plan, arguing that it eliminates $30 billion in nutrition funding. The bill will now move to the full House, but some doubt its future success due to lack of Democratic support. [Extracted from the article]

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has objected to a Department of Defense research grant that aims to study and develop lab-grown meat products for US troops. The NCBA argues that American cattle producers raise high-quality beef with a low carbon footprint, and that troops should be served natural meat rather than processed lab-grown protein. The NCBA believes that the study is a misguided project and a waste of taxpayer dollars. [Extracted from the article]

The House Agriculture Committee has passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, with committee Republicans voting in favor of the bill and three Democrats breaking ranks with their party. Republicans claim that the bill includes many bipartisan priorities and boosts farm programs, while Democrats argue that it will result in reduced benefits over the next 10 years. The bill will now move on to the full House, but it is uncertain when a vote will be held. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of managing potassium deficiency in soybeans, emphasizing the need for proactive testing and corrective applications within a specific window of time. Carrie Ortel, a soybean specialist, highlights the significance of soil and tissue testing to address hidden hunger before visual symptoms appear. The text also briefly mentions a legal ruling delaying the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act, which had caused uncertainty and stress for farmers. [Extracted from the article]

Canadian cattle groups are objecting to a new labeling rule in the United States that restricts the use of "Product of USA" labels to meat, poultry, and egg products that are raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S. The rule aims to improve consumer protection and fairness in the market, but Canadian producers argue that it could disrupt the integrated cattle markets between the two countries. They would have preferred a labeling law that aligns with international regulations. Despite this disagreement, the trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada remains strong, with similar animal health and food safety requirements allowing for a smooth flow of goods across the border. [Extracted from the article]

Ag groups are praising the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for removing language from a proposal that would have required public companies to report greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal, known as Scope 3, would have placed additional requirements on agricultural producers. Producers and government officials have been working for two years to ensure the rule never went into effect. Some believe the regulations did not go far enough to protect the environment, while others argue that they unnecessarily limit disclosures. [Extracted from the article]

The USDA has announced that it is accepting applications for a second round of Regional Agriculture Promotion Program grants, with approximately $300 million available to expand export markets for U.S. farm and food producers. The program aims to diversify the ag exporter customer base beyond its largest customers, such as China, Mexico, and Canada. The first round of funding supported projects overseen by 66 U.S. organizations, including initiatives to bolster soy product demand in Sub-Saharan Africa. The deadline for grant applications is October 4th, and awardees will be announced before the end of the year. [Extracted from the article]

Former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has stated that he has no interest in returning to the Executive Branch if Donald Trump is reelected. Perdue has been serving as the Chancellor for the University System of Georgia since 2022 and believes that this role may be the most impactful job he has ever had. He recalls his time as Agriculture Secretary, where he had the challenging task of assembling a team with expertise in all areas covered by the USDA. Perdue has no regrets about his time in the USDA and believes that the department did some good things during his tenure. [Extracted from the article]