The Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. Rule, or “WOTUS,” was first introduced to the public in May of 2015, and it’s been largely unpopular since then. Ag Web Dot Com says Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer have introduced a resolution that expresses a need for the Senate to vacate the rule. WOTUS expanded the authority of both the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers authority to regulate water, which is already written into the Clean Water Act. Almost 100 percent of the American agriculture industry reacted negatively to the rule, calling it a prime example of government overreach. In a statement this week, Fischer called WOTUS completely unprecedented. “This rule would hurt all Nebraska families, communities, ag producers, and businesses,” says Fischer. “This resolution signifies our intent to get to work quickly and stop WOTUS in its tracks once the new administration takes office.” Ernst calls WOTUS a power grab and wants farmers and landowners to be able to manage their lands without what she calls the “heavy hand of the EPA” determining their every move. Fischer and Ernst both were quick to acknowledge that the Clean Water Act is vital to protecting natural resources but then added that WOTUS took it a step too far.

Over 100 U.S. agriculture groups are urging President-elect Donald Trump not to undo the changes that President Obama made in relation status between the U.S. and Cuba. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says they also want the President-elect to give his own stamp of approval on normalizing relations between the countries. The groups want Trump to throw his support behind legislation that would allow private financing for the sale of agricultural products to make those goods easier to sell to the island country. In a letter, the groups say, “It’s time to put the 17 million jobs associated with U.S. agriculture ahead of a few hardline politicians in Washington. Your support for removing outdated financing and trade barriers for exporting agricultural products to our neighbor could significantly strengthen an industry which supports 17 million American jobs.” The letter also says Trump’s support would pave the way for the Cuban people to have access to high-quality American food.

U.S. farmers bought more tractors in 2016, compared with 2015, according to the latest report from the Association of Equipment Manufactures. Through December, AEM says 2016 tractor sales were up three percent, totaling more than 211,000 compared to 205,000 sold in 2015. For the year, two-wheel drive smaller tractors under 40 horsepower were up 12 percent over last year, while 40 and under 100 horsepower tractor sales were down four percent. Sales of two-wheel drive 100-plus horsepower tractors were reported down 22 percent, while four-wheel drive tractors were down 26 percent. Sales of combines for the year totaled 3,972, a decrease of 26 percent compared to 2015.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol are 43 percent lower than emissions from gasoline. USDA released the report Thursday that compared greenhouse gas emissions from corn-based ethanol with gasoline when measured on an energy equivalent basis. The study relied on forecasts of future ethanol production systems and expected impacts on the farm sector. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the report “provides evidence that corn ethanol can be a greenhouse gas-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says the report provides “further evidence that the RFS is working.” The data also shows that when farmers employ a variety of conservation practices including no-till, cover crops, nitrogen inhibitors, and precision fertilizer applications, corn ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 76 percent when compared to gasoline.

The National Agriculture Statistics Service released a host of reports Thursday. The reports show that ample rain and moderate temperatures across the Midwest led to record-high yield and production for corn and soybeans in 2016. U.S. corn growers produced 15.1 billion bushels, up 11 percent from 2015. Soybean production for 2016 totaled a record 4.31 billion bushels, up ten percent from 2015. In the Grain Stocks report, corn and soybean stocks were both estimated to be up ten and seven percent from 2015, respectively. While those numbers are all higher than 2015, they represent a cut from the previous USDA forecast. U.S. corn ending stocks were lowered 48 million bushels from last month’s estimate, and soybean ending stocks were lowered 60 million bushels. For 2016, all cotton production was up 32 percent from 2015, at 17 million 480-pound bales. Sorghum grain production in 2016 is estimated at 480 million bushels, down 20 percent from 2015. The Winter Wheat Seedings report shows planted area for harvest in 2017 was estimated at 32.4 million acres, down ten percent from 2016 and 18 percent below 2015. This represents the second lowest U.S. acreage on record.

“Why is that the last one?” Those words from outgoing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding his post being the last yet to be filled by the incoming Donald Trump administration. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal this week, Vilsack says the absence of an agriculture secretary nominee so late in the cabinet-selection process reflects a “lack of appreciation” for what the Department of Agriculture does. A Trump transition team member maintains an announcement will be made soon, saying: “The future growth of the U.S. agriculture sector is of critical importance to President-elect Trump,” as a reason for the lengthy selection process to find the right candidate. Just last week, Politico speculated that the position belongs to former Georgia governor Republican Sonny Perdue. Politico said Thursday that there were loose plans to announce Perdue on the final day of the American Farm Bureau convention this week, but that day, as many others, has now passed. Trump will be sworn into office next Friday. Meanwhile, agriculture is left hoping Trump has saved his best pick for last.

The U.S. Grains Council says China is attempting to restrict access to the U.S. dried distillers grain market by subjecting U.S. DDGS to anti-dumping and countervailing duties. Grains Council CEO Tom Sleight says the organization is “deeply disappointed” in the move. The announcement came just ten days after the Chinese government increased tariffs on imported U.S. ethanol from five to 30 percent. The Grains Council says that move effectively stops market growth for U.S. farmers and ethanol producers. Meanwhile, U.S. farmers also continue to wait for China’s approvals of biotech corn events, which last happened in 2014. Sleight says the protectionist trade restrictions by China are “based on false allegations” and do not benefit China or the United States.

Farmers National Company says 2017 land values are dependent on several different factors the industry may see throughout the year. The agricultural landowner services company says the direction of commodity prices, interest rates, inflation, challenges in the world economy, weather and U.S. tax law; all could change the direction of land prices for 2017. In the past three years, agricultural landowners in many regions across the country have seen a decline in profits, which also pushed land values lower. Land prices remain mixed to start the year as some regions are seeing prices stabilize while other regions are seeing lower prices, according to the company. The biggest two factors this year will be interest rates and commodity prices. Meanwhile, foreign trade policy will also be of interest as changes in trade policy could impact commodity prices and influence land buying and selling decisions.