In a few weeks, farmers will trade in their suits for seed corn caps as we transition from winter “meeting season” into another planting season.

While speaking at a couple  major farm conventions last  week, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced some helpful measures that will enhance fairness and increased market competition for farmers. 

Vilsack announced that the USDA is tightening up the definition of Product of USA meat labels to make them more consistent with consumer expectations. He said the agency is also looking for ways to enhance competition in the seed industry and boost fertilizer production.

On the trade front, the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office finally announced it will seek formal consultations with Mexico over a proposed ban on certain biotech corn products.

But just as the government offers a helping hand in certain instances, it often seems like another agency is simultaneously putting up a roadblock.

We’ve seen numerous cases of that this year with the Environmental Protection Agency’s onerous Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule as well as its unnecessary delay in approving year-round E15. And while the Biden administration has filed a few trade enforcement cases, negotiations on new trade agreements remain at a standstill.

If everyone consistently pulled together in support of agriculture instead of putting up unnecessary roadblocks, it would give farmers fewer things to worry about as they begin planting the crops that fill our stomachs, feed livestock and fuel our vehicles.