Federal Policy

Farm Income Hits 7-Year-High in 2020

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Land Report Editors

The largest direct farm payments ever – to the tune of a record-smashing $37.2 billion – have bolstered farm sector income in 2020. While seeking to soften the impact of the pandemic throughout the ag sector, the Trump Administration directed…

Tagged with: COVID, direct farm payments, USDA
Posted in Agriculture, Farming, Feature, Federal Policy, News Desk

Finance Committee Slams Bogus Appraisals and Shady Tax Deals

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Land Report Editors

The bipartisan Senate Finance Committee determined that inflated property appraisals and “sham partnerships” often enabled tax cheats to claim more in deductions than lawfully allowed. Investigators unearthed emails detailing how crooked syndicators engineered easements to yield more lucrative tax breaks…

Posted in Conservation, Feature, Federal Policy, News Desk

Fish & Wildlife Service Proposes Rule Defining Habitat

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Land Report Editors

This landmark development will impact the listing of endangered and threatened species. The agency’s proposed definition aligns with the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Weyerhaeuser Co. v. the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which held that an area may only…

The Conservation Fund Acquires Colorado’s Sweetwater Lake

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Land Report Editors

The 488-acre purchase of one of Colorado’s largest natural lakes means the water and surrounding terrain will fall under federal protection thanks in part to the Great American Outdoors Act, which the Senate passed on June 17. Once approved by…

Burger King Wins Dismissal of Vegan Lawsuit

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Land Report Editors

US District Judge Raag Singhal tossed out a lawsuit that accused the fast-food giant of deception when it came to the preparation of its “Impossible Whopper.” A group of seven plaintiffs initiated the class action back in November. They alleged…

Tagged with: Burger King, federal court, Impossible Whopper, lawsuit, vegan
Posted in Feature, Federal Policy, News Desk

Bearing the Brunt

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Land Report Editors

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a lower court ruling that maintains federal protection for grizzly bears in the 22.5-million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. BY TODD WILKINSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS MANGELSEN The recovery of grizzlies in the…

Posted in Conservation, Feature, Federal Policy, Idaho, Montana, Public Land, West, Wyoming

Congress Passes Great American Outdoors Act

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Land Report Editors

The bipartisan effort represents the largest investment in public lands in more than a half century. The legislation would fund in its entirety a conservation program known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has languished since its creation…

Posted in Conservation, Feature, Federal Policy, News Desk

Land Report July 2020 Newsletter

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Land Report Editors

Highlights from our July newsletter include: Australia’s Forrest family acquires two cattle stations totaling more than 500,000 acres. The Conservation Fund acquires 15,408-acre Chadbourne Tree Farms in Maine. Burger King Prevails in court, wins dismissal of vegan lawsuit. For up-to-the-minute reports on…

Agriculture Department Guarantees $1 Billion in Loans for Ag Producers and Rural Businesses

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Land Report Editors

On May 22, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue announced the move while reaffirming the Trump administration’s commitment to helping farmers and other rural businesses survive during the coronavirus pandemic. Going forward, USDA will offer 90 percent guarantees on Business & Industry…

Tagged with: CARES Act, coronavirus, COVID-19, loans, UDSA
Posted in Agriculture, Cattle, Farming, Feature, Federal Policy, News Desk

CARES Act Directs $49 Billion to Agricultural Producers

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Land Report Editors

From that total, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture received $9.5 billion to roll out an array of food- and ag-related benefits. Funding includes relief for farmers affected by COVID-19 with an emphasis on specialty crop farmers and producers…