The USDA announced on Feb. 13 new investments and strategies to help farmers and ranchers conserve water, address climate change and build drought resilience in the West, supported in part by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.

The USDA on July 20 revised the payment rate for its Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), nearly tripling compensation for young calves lost to producers. LIP payments, which are distributed through FSA, are based on 75% of “average fair market value.”

Even today, I cannot say I like President Trump’s personal style. I am bothered by his name-calling and the harsh rhetoric of his tweets, but I have concluded I would rather have someone say what he means in a barbaric way than someone who speaks honey-dripping promises, then twists the knife.