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Now that the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case against the Waters of the U.S. Rule, Missouri Congressman Sam Graves and Representative David Rouzer of North Carolina say the Biden administration should immediately stop its efforts to issue a new WOTUS definition rule. Graves, ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Rouzer, ranking member of the Water Resources and Environment Committee claim a new Biden definition “will greatly broaden the federal government’s jurisdiction over privately owned land” and add layers of red tape for farmers and others. ...     

The Nebraska Farm Bureau says the nation’s high court can limit EPA’s authority when regulating the Waters of the U.S. when reviewing a ruling next spring. The U.S. Supreme Court will review the 9th Circuit’s ruling in the Sackett vs. EPA case to determine if lower court used the proper tests to determine if wetlands were truly “waters of the United States” under the Obama-era Clean Water Act. Director of National Affairs Jordan Dux tells Brownfield expanding what types of wetlands qualify under the Clean Water Act creates uncertainty because it affects the daily operations of a farm and ranch.  ...     

The CEO of CropLife America says a recent bill introduced by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey regarding pesticide regulation is a blow to the ag industry. The “Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act” would make changes to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) including a ban on pesticides deemed unsafe in the EU and Canada like organophosphate and neonicotinoid insecticides. Chris Novak tells Brownfield It would override the countless hours of regulatory work put forth by the US EPA- noting that it takes at least 10 years for a chemistry to be selected, evaluated, and approved for commercial use. ...     

Milk production for 2021 ended 1.4 percent higher than 2020 with more productive cows and efforts for a smaller herd. USDA says production in the U.S. for December totaled nearly 19 billion pounds, down slightly from last year, with production per cow up 12 pounds from 2020.  The herd size was down 64,000 head on the year and on the month but up 60,000 head for all of 2021.  South Dakota production continues to grow significantly compared to other regions and it grows its herd size, up 20 percent followed by Texas, up more than three percent.  Production in New Mexico declined by 15 percent, followed by Washington. ...