Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Now Up Odds for Expanding U.S. Trade/Economic War with China
President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as Commerce Secretary highlights plans to leverage tariffs in trade negotiations, with Lutnick emphasizing their use as both a revenue source and bargaining tool.
Lutnick has called the tariffs a negotiating tool that could be used to convince other countries to bring down their own levies or to force companies to move production to the U.S. He has said Trump would avoid taxes on products U.S. companies don’t make.
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How Louisiana’s Special Session Could Impact Taxpayers; Keeping Homeless Families Intact; Usda Youth AG Loans
Lawmakers are busy in Baton Rouge, attempting to rewrite large portions of Louisiana’s tax code. It’s the biggest wide-ranging tax reform effort that we’ve seen in years. And many Louisianans are left asking, how will these tax reforms impact me? And who will be impacted the most?
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Members of U.S. Senate Back Disaster Aid Request Amid Increasing Storm Severity
The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural disaster response and recovery funding is on track to sail through the U.S. Senate after both Republicans and Democrats expressed strong support during a Wednesday hearing.
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Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow Gives a Progress Update on the Farm Act
There is another piece of legislation in the works called the Farm Act. Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow co-sponsored the bill.
RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender got the chance to meet up with her and get her take on the progress so far in Washington D.C.
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Congressman Garret Graves Optimistic for the Change President-Elect Trump Will Bring
While Congressman Garret Graves was considered for Transportation Secretary, the role went to Sean Duffy. Graves expressed support for Duffy and their collaboration. He highlighted Trump’s cabinet selections as a sign of significant change, emphasizing the administration’s focus on inflation, infrastructure, energy, and stressed addressing illegal immigration.
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Lt. Col. Dan Rooney to Keynote American Farm Bureau Convention
Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot, will address attendees as mid general session keynote speaker during the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention on Sunday, Jan. 26. Rooney is founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit foundation that provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. The foundation has provided nearly 62,000 military and first responder families with $290 million in scholarships since its founding in 2007.
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Could Trump Actually Be Good for U.S. Ag Trade?
Threats of widespread tariffs and concerns about retaliation continue to stoke uneasiness in agriculture. With a growing trade deficit and hopes the U.S. could re-embark on the Phase One trade deal with China, could the focus back on trade be positive for agriculture?
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Mexico’s Push for Self-Sufficiency in Dry Bean Production May Reduce U.S. Imports
Mexico has not formally imposed an embargo against U.S. dry beans, but recent agricultural policies under President Claudia Sheinbaum indicate a significant shift toward self-sufficiency in bean production that could reduce reliance on U.S. imports. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at revitalizing domestic agriculture and ensuring food sovereignty, reminiscent of practices from the 1980s.
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Mixed Reactions Greet Stabenow’s $39 Billion Rural Prosperity Act
On Monday, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the $39 billion Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. The proposal aims to address food insecurity, support rural economies, and strengthen agricultural policies.
The announcement highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the farm bill, as the current extension nears expiration and Stabenow’s opposition (the incoming Republican majority) is poised to take control of the Senate in January.
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Wishing You a Happy, Mellow and Blessed Thanksgiving
It seems like Thanksgiving always sneaks up on me, I think it is because all the retail stores decorate for Halloween and quickly go right into the Christmas Holiday mode, many times before we even celebrate Halloween.
I'm afraid its part of our society's hurry up and get it done mentality so we can move on to the next project or job.
I'm not sure if it’s just a “California” thing, and our pace of life is faster than other parts of the country. It seems like when I visit our friends in Louisiana who are farmers, and busy, they seem to take time to enjoy life and family at a slower pace.
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Country Star, Lainey Wilson Honored With Marker on Northeast Louisiana Music Trail
It is a big deal when a small-town farm girl becomes a superstar!
That is exactly what has happened to country singer Lainey Wilson. RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender had the opportunity to be there when Wilson got her marker on the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail and a portion of a state highway named after her.
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Research Team Awarded Grant to Study Use of Wastewater as Fertilizer
A team of Louisiana researchers has received a federal grant worth more than $100,000 for the first step of a study that aims to use wastewater from aquaculture ponds, seafood processors and farms for fertilizer.
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New Name Surfaces for Trump’s Secretary of Ag Pick — This One Has Strong Ties to Regenerative Ag
Names continue to be added to the list of possible candidates for Secretary of Agriculture. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly playing an active role in the cabinet selection, and the latest name added to the list, Jimmy Emmons, has a heavy background in regenerative agriculture. Emmons is the senior vice president of climate-smart programs for Trust In Food, Farm Journal’s sustainable agriculture division, but is on leave of absence from Farm Journal.
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Stabenow Finally Releases Full Text of Senate Farm Bill; Here’s What It Means for Agriculture
Stabenow unveiled 1,397-page details of her long-awaited farm bill Monday morning. This comes as early Sunday evening Pro Farmer broke the news that Senate Ag Chairwoman (D-Mich.) had briefed Democrats but not Republicans on her coming farm bill text, which was expected to be released Monday.
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Landry Awards Almost $1.4B to Bridge Digital Divide
Gov. Landry has awarded $1.355 billion to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state.
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