Rebecca Dickerson

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Policy Update

Policy Updates: House Farm Bill advances after E15 fight, but Senate hurdles remain

On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed its latest version of the farm bill, removing a provision relating to ethanol, in a 224–200 vote after a long and contentious debate, sending the legislation to the Senate.

May 02, 2026 12:49 PM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: $10B in bridge payments flow to farmers, but losses still outpace support

The USDA has now distributed nearly $9.6 billion in Farmer Bridge Assistance payments to crop producers, as weak commodity prices and high input costs continue to squeeze farm margins

April 29, 2026 11:07 AM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: DOJ widens antitrust focus as food and farm costs climb

The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying scrutiny across agricultural markets as rising food prices and input costs put pressure on both consumers and producers

April 23, 2026 05:52 PM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: Court ruling backs stronger oversight of ocean carriers, welcomed by ag exporters

U.S. agricultural exporters are applauding a federal appeals court decision that reinforces the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to regulate ocean shipping practices.

April 15, 2026 05:11 PM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: USDA asks farmers to weigh in as fertilizer price probe ramps up

As federal regulators dig deeper into why fertilizer prices have remained elevated, farmers are asked to submit input. The request is part of a broader investigation alongside the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission into potential anti-competitive behavior in the fertilizer industry.

April 14, 2026 04:47 PM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: Short ceasefire brings little relief as fertilizer supply risk and high prices persist

A temporary two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which includes a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, has eased some immediate panic in global fertilizer markets—but it is unlikely to meaningfully improve supply conditions in the near term

April 09, 2026 04:54 PM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: John Deere agrees to $99M settlement in antitrust class-action lawsuit

In the lawsuit filed in 2022, U.S. farmers alleged the company restricted access to equipment repairs and drove up service costs. The settlement fund will compensate farmers who paid for repairs through Deere and Company (John Deere) dealers on large agricultural equipment dating back to 2018, though the agreement still requires court approval.

April 08, 2026 07:19 AM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: White House budget proposes deep USDA cuts

The president’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal calls for a significant reduction in U.S. Department of Agriculture spending, cutting roughly $4.9 billion—about 19%—from current discretionary funding levels

April 07, 2026 08:28 AM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: EPA sets record high biofuel volumes in Renewable Fuel Standard final rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and 2027, setting biofuel blending requirements at record levels — higher than initially proposed — and reallocating 70% of waived gallons back into the system.

April 01, 2026 06:30 AM

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Rebecca Dickerson

Policy Update

Policy Updates: China ramps up border rejections as a new pressure point in ag trade

China is increasingly rejecting imported agricultural shipments at its borders, signaling a shift toward using regulatory enforcement as a trade lever—especially amid rising geopolitical tensions.

March 18, 2026 04:48 PM

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Rebecca Dickerson