Agri-Pulse DriveTime

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley doesn't agree with the Trump administration's release of plans to reform the USDA, but says the Executive Branch has the authority to make changes to the agency. Grassley doesn't see much chance for a new farm bill this year. 

The Trump administration announced a trade deal with the European Union yesterday.  Meanwhile, talks with China continue to hold promise. US corn condition declined and soybeans improved as more of the crop moves deeper into the reproductive phase of growth. 

President Trump is pessimistic on a trade deal with Canada but will hold meetings with the EU while in Scotland. The Senate Ag Committee will review the USDA Reorganization plan next week. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the first phase of a major reorganization of the agency today. Senate Agriculture Committee leaders Boozman and Klobuchar rebuked the effort and plan a hearing on the plan. 

Agri-Pulse's Phil Brasher examines what states may benefit from additional base acres in the Budget Reconciliation Law. The Trump administration cancels loan guarantees for the Grain Belt Express. 

Members of the United Soybean Board, American Soybean Association and the U.S. Soybean Export council presented today in Brazil at a meeting of the International Oilseed Producers Association. ASA President Caleb Ragland responds to challenges raised by the MAHA Committee report. 

National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman says grower leaders made their case for legislation to approve year around sales of E-15, a new farm bill and greater access to global markets last week with legislators on Capitol Hill. 

John Bode with the Corn Refiners Association says a shift in ingredients by a major cola company would bring negative consequences for corn farmers and his industry. A possible rail industry merger is prompting concern in the ag industry on both service and fees. 

Members of the House of Representatives are set to vote on a Senate approved rescission package tonight. President Trump has nominated Julie Callahan to serve on agriculture's trade front and the Senate Ag Committee has scheduled a hearing to approve another key leader at USDA. 

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall held a roundtable to discuss regenerative agriculture and the MAHA Commission Report.  Marshall says there are health issues the nation can't ignore. He says consumers will have a big influence on the future of food production

President Trump announced a trade deal with Indonesia while European Union members plot American products to retaliate with tariffs if they fail to meet the new August 1 deadline. Analysts say Trump tariffs may be impacting inflation. 

President Trump threated severe tariffs on Russia today if a peace deal was not signed with Ukraine in 50 days. USDA's NASS indicated both corn and soybean condition was running at or above the five year average. 

A lawsuit over California's Proposition 12 is the latest tiff between President Trump and the Golden State. The USDA is forecasting large crops and challenges on the demand front for U.S. row crops. 

Brazil's crop agency forecasts a significant increase in crop production. U.S. corn farmers will be in Washington next week to discuss policy. 

This week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers features comments on the farm economy and farm programs from Christy Seyfert of the Farm Credit Council and a look at the commodity market with AgResource Company founder Dan Basse. 

The Supreme Court opened the door for President Trump's plan to downsize the government. Secretary Rollins and some fellow cabinet members announce efforts to protect the nation's agriculture and EPA hears from industry on renewable fuel proposals.

President Trump's new tariffs on Japan and South Korea could challenge U.S. corn export sales. Judge Stephen Vaden was sworn in today as Deputy Secretary of USDA. 

President Donald Trump is expected to sign budget reconciliation legislation following approval by the House of Representatives in a 218-214 vote today. The nation's economy added more jobs than expected last month. The nation's focus now is on debt and tariff wars. 

In addition to budget reconciliation legislation and better trade deals, President Trump appears to be giving attention to the nation's ag workforce issues. 

After an overnight of grueling debate Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote in approving the Senate's budget reconciliation bill.  Many ag provisions and tax breaks remain in the language. 

The USDA offered only slight downward adjustments in planted acreage for corn and soybeans for 2025. The Senate is working to meet President Trump's goal of July 4th for budget reconciliation legislation. 

Trade news today includes President Trump has ended all negotiations with Canada and the announcement of a rare earth minerals deal with China. The clock is ticking on the Senate to approve its version of the Big Beautiful reconciliation bill. 

White House officials say it's up to President Trump to decide whether trading partners will be given additional time to resolve trade differences with the U.S. Domestic companies say China is proving slow to approve requests for exports of rare earth materials despite an agreement with Trump trade officials. 

Corn prices dropped to prices not seen since last October at just over $4.00 per bushel. Selling pressure is coming from expectations of a large planted acreage report from the USDA on Monday and a large Brazilian Safrinha crop. 

Record heat presses down on the East Coast with 100 degree temperatures recorded from Maine to Florida. The Senate Parliamentarian approves a revised state cost-share plan for SNAP. 

The Supreme Court may hear a labeling case over a popular herbicide this week. Crop prices are falling as hot weather is seen as a catalyst to crop development. 

Agri-Pulse reports today that some members of Congress are growing uneasy with the pace of trade negotiations given the pending deadline posed by the Trump administration. Global fertilizer supplies are being impacted by the war between Iran and Israel. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was in Texas today to announce additional efforts to protect the U.S. from the spread of New World Screwworm. NCBA CEO Collin Woodall says the pest can be deadly for cattle but poses no threat to food safety. 

Fears of New World Screwworm drove livestock futures prices lower today. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will be joined by members of Congress for a press conference tomorrow announcing additional efforts to combat the pest.

U.S. corn and soybean condition and progress continues to advance according to USDA's latest Weekly Crop Progress Report. The Brazilian corn harvest is running behind last year's pace but scouts there see excellent crop potential. 

Rumors were wrong as the Environmental Protection Agency today proposed to increase the volume output of renewable fuels today. Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels association and Kurt Kovarik with Clean Fuels Alliance America comment on the proposals and path forward. 

Rumors suggest the Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to announce RVO numbers for the renewable fuels Industry. Paul Winters with Clean Fuels Alliance America says the industry is united in its request for more biodiesel. The USDA's June WASDE report held few surprises for the commodity market. 

What President Trump called a trade deal with China others called a framework agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told members of Congress the administration is pursuing negotiated agreements with 18 major trading partners. 

Trade talks between the U.S. and China are reported going "very well" by administration officials. The Senate approves key positions at USDA and EPA and Trump steel tariffs could increase canned food prices. 

The globe is keeping a close eye on trade talks between the U.S. and China. U.S. corn and soybean crops improve over the last week and traders offer their projections in front of the USDA WASDE report Thursday. 

President Donald Trump announces trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are set for Monday in London.  Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins wraps up her trade delegation to Italy. 

Representatives of the National Pork Producers Council continue to call on Congress to approve a completely new farm bill. NPPC is pleased that the reconciliation package included needed farm program updates, but say the budget bill doesn't include everything the industry needs. 

The U.S. Senate Committee on Aging held a hearing this afternoon addressing the aging farm workforce and loss of family farmers. Witnesses shared economics including labor rates, low commodity prices and foreign imports were major obstacles to farm profitability. 

As promised, President Trump is raising tariffs on aluminum and steel. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley supports whole milk on school menus and the World Pork Expo opens tomorrow at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. 

The USDA reported corn and soybean planting advanced over the past week while crop condition for both crops is well over two-thirds good to excellent. The advanced planting and crop ratings is proving bearish for commodity futures prices. 

Comments from former Agriculture Secretaries Dan Glickman and Mike Johanns preview this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers as well as comments from House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig who's featured in the upcoming Agri-Pulse Open Mic. Reconciliation, tariffs and farm programs are featured topics.

The legal challenge over President Trump's authority to impose tariffs on global trading partners took another turn this afternoon. A stay will allow the U.S. to continue to collect tariffs until the appeal process plays out. 

Over 300 agriculture and related groups sent a letter calling on Congress to enact the bipartisan Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act. The groups say state labeling requirements contradict EPA's scientific findings on pesticide safety. 

Senator Charles Grassley supports tax provisions in the House Budget Reconciliation Act. The Iowa Republican says the Senate Ag Committee will likely have its own version of farm safety net provisions. 

House Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson offers his thoughts on farm and tax provisions approved this week. National Corn Growers CEO Neil Caskey shares farmer frustration with the MAHA Commission Report. 

With House approval of budget reconciliation the attention on farm programs and tax policy turns to the U.S. Senate. Farm groups are voicing their concerns over the MAHA Commission report. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley expects HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. to keep his word on comments made prior to his confirmation hearings on modern ag practices. Grassley has some straightforward questions on what may be reported from the MAHA Commission. 

Agriculture groups are calling on President Trump to be sure the MAHA Commission report expected to be released Thursday is based on sound scientific facts. Rumors suggest some pesticides and gene edited crops may be targeted by the report. 

The budget reconciliation battle in the House of Representatives may be a precursor to bigger financial decisions lawmakers will have to face following another downgrade of the nation's economy. 

Farm safety net improvements are included in the House Ag Committee's budget reconciliation proposal. NAWG CEO Chandler Goule says there is still farm bill work to be done. 

Soybean and soybean oil prices fell on fears that export sales would fall without a tariff agreement with China and rumors of reduced federal support for renewable fuels by the Trump EPA.