Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is asking governors to waive state-level requirements on dyed diesel use to complement temporary IRS suspension of federal dyed diesel enforcement, noting that 31 states have already taken “early action” on the matter.
In a letter posted to her X account, Rollins asked states to give “full and fair consideration” of taking action on dyed diesel restrictions, adding that “together, we have an opportunity to provide our mutual constituents with real relief for the remainder of this harvest season and beyond.”
Remember: Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Internal Revenue Service to stop imposing penalties for on-road use of dyed diesel through the end of the year and calling on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to defer payment of federal excise taxes imposed for highway use of dyed diesel for the rest of the year without interest or penalties.
In her letter, Rollins said USDA estimates the action could save more than $640 million across around 224.6 million harvested U.S. acres.
Halloween dip: With Halloween and midterms both around the corner, auto club AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 5 cents over the past week to $4.22.
But, but, but: Crude oil prices exceeding $100 a barrel are limiting further declines at the pump.
Meanwhile, Trump aides are quietly trying to get U.S. companies to take shipments of Russian diesel currently crossing the Atlantic, the Washington Sun reports, citing unidentified sources.
Firms have been unwilling to agree due to concerns about legal and reputational risks, according to the news outlet.
“This will be a climactic act to watch on the first November weekend,” says Tom Kloza, chief energy adviser for Gulf Oil.
Klobuchar commits to passing farm bill
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says she’s still committed to getting a farm bill done before the latest session of Congress concludes.
Klobuchar tells Agri-Pulse in a statement that she plans to work with the committee chairman, Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and the House Agriculture Committee to get a bipartisan farm bill past the finish line. Klobuchar said staff for the “four corners” are working on negotiations.
“There is agreement on a number of bipartisan provisions in the bill and my priorities include resolving the initial two years of SNAP cost shifts to states which creates an enormous financial burden to states with mid-level error rates, as well as other issues like finally getting year-round E15 into law and funding for popular voluntary conservation programs,” Klobuchar said in a statement.
Her remarks came in response to a request for comment on the Congressional Budget Office’s cost estimate, released Wednesday, for the Senate farm bill. The report estimates that over the next decade, the bill would increase direct spending outlays by $4.8 billion and increase direct spending by $23.6 billion. CBO also estimates it would increase the federal deficit by nearly $4.4 billion from 2027-2036.
The report also forecast that the proposed one-year delay of the SNAP state cost-share requirement would reduce state spending by $5.2 billion, but “those savings cannot offset the spending associated with the increased contribution rate in 2031 because the effects would not occur in the same year.”
USDA to buy $472.5 million in U.S. commodities
USDA plans to buy up to $472.5 million in U.S.-grown commodities to be distributed to charitable organizations and nutrition assistance programs. The purchases will be made with funds from Section 32, which can be used to boost domestic consumption of farm products.
The investment “moves American milk, cheese, lentils, almonds, rice, catfish, and more, straight from our farms to those in need, rather than being wasted,” Secretary Rollins said.
Peter Bachmann, president and CEO of USA Rice, thanked USDA for using its Section 32 authority to buy $21 million worth of rice.
“This commitment will provide support for the domestic rice market, while providing a nutritious, versatile, shelf-stable staple to Americans participating in federal nutrition assistance programs,” Bachmann said.
Several other commodities are getting some of the money, but the dairy industry is receiving the largest chunk at $165.5 million, followed by pork at $41 million and split peas at $37 million.
USDA to provide $4.4 million for wetland mitigation banking
Seven projects to develop wetland mitigation banks will receive $4.4 million from the Agriculture Department, the agency announced Thursday.
The money will be awarded through USDA’s Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, which funds the restoration or creation of wetlands that generate credits which can be purchased by producers looking to remain eligible for USDA program benefits if they disrupt agricultural wetlands on their properties.
The awards will go to projects in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Illinois.
New Texas beef processing plant gets loan
The Agriculture Department will provide a $24.6 million commercial loan for a new 400-head-per-day processing plant in Dimmitt, Texas, the agency announced Thursday.
The project was initiated by 26 Texas panhandle cattle producers “to develop an alternative to major national meat-processing companies and support more competitive beef wages.”
The plant is expected to create 220 new jobs, USDA says.
FDA proposes changes to infant formula nutrient requirements
FDA is proposing new nutrient requirements for infant formula.
In a proposed rule scheduled for publication in the Federal Register Nov. 2, FDA said it plans to increase the required minimum level of iodine while decreasing the maximum level. The proposal also includes decreases in the minimum and maximum levels of Vitamin A and increases in the minimum and maximum levels of Vitamin D. It also would cut the required minimum level for manganese and establish a maximum level.
Trump skips in-person event with Marshall
Trump won’t appear Saturday at a rally in Salina with Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, who is locked in a closer-than-expected race with Democrat Adam Hamilton.
The Washington Post reported Thursday the president is trimming his travel schedule and will hold “tele-rallies” instead in the run-up to Election Day, enabling him to stump for more candidates.
A White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment, but the Post reported that an official said Trump “will continue connecting directly with Americans nationwide through more than 20 telerallies before Election Day.”
Final word
“Canada stands at a hinge moment in history. The world is increasingly defined by contested borders, authoritarian aggression, and acute global threats.” — Canadian Prime Mark Carney said in the foreword of the country’s first national security policy in 20 years. The policy says Canada will “strengthen food security through expanded domestic production, processing, and distribution capacity under the National Food Security Strategy.”
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