Line on Agriculture

The US Drought Monitor is expanding, indicating ongoing dry conditions across much of the country. Matt Montgomery from Beck's Hybrids advises on managing drought for corn and beans, emphasizing the importance of early planning and selecting hybrids with good drought scores.

Richard Fordyce, the Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, about the newly released Farm Bridge Assistance Program.

President Donald Trump has called for an investigation into potential price fixing and violations in the beef packing industry, coinciding with R-CALF USA's lawsuit against the sector.

NFU is encouraged by Trump's Beef Consolidation Investigation

The National Sorghum Producers' priorities include getting a Farm Bill passed and pushing for biofuels expansion, including a 45Z tax credit.

Planting decisions now can pay off in the future.

AI is accelerating innovation, allowing for simultaneous advancements in areas like hybridization, fertilizers, crop protection, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that typically occur over decades.

The Modern Ag Alliance is a coalition of commodity groups and state Farm Bureaus, which is pushing for clearer, science‑based pesticide regulations.

The National Sorghum Producers (NSP) discussed their priorities for 2026 at the annual Commodity Classic.

At the 30th annual Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, one commodity analyst discussed the corn market. He noted the abundance of old crop corn, which is bearish, but highlighted the record world and U.S. demand for corn, which is bullish

The ag industry is not giving up, there is still big support for getting year-round E85 sales approved in Congress.

The US faces a deficit in fertilizer capacity, with manufacturers and distributors having preloaded supplies of certain nutrients

The US Grains Council is prioritizing improvement for river access for corn exports.

A veteran market analyst weighs in on current wheat market trends.

Buying a high-priced cow means looking at the long term valuation of her life and the depreciation that can occur.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) discusses the complexities of engine emissions in agricultural machinery.

The US faces a deficit in fertilizer capacity, with manufacturers and distributors pre-loading supplies to mitigate shortages. President Trump calls for more domestic glyphosate production.

The Ag Information Network reported on a new sustainability framework for US poultry production, covering 101 voluntary metrics across three pillars: people, planet, and poultry.

The US cow herd has experienced seven consecutive years of decline, with the 2025 inventory being less than the previous year, indicating ongoing liquidation. Bill Bullard of R-CALF USA suggests that the trend might reverse slightly in 2026 due to more heifers being retained for breeding, but significant growth may not be seen until 2027 or 2028

Farm Hand on Demand is a platform connecting farms with temporary labor. The platform aims to address workforce shortages in agriculture by enabling users to search for workers by location.

The USDA's February global wheat outlook predicts a record world wheat crop

Illinois soybean farmer Rob Shaffer has been appointed to the United Soybean Board (USB) by the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. Shaffer is one of 77 directors across the U.S. who use checkoff funds to enhance farmer profitability and promote soybean trade globally

Despite challenges in the agricultural economy, farmland values are showing stability. Jim Ferguson of Farmers National Company notes that while commodity prices and farm profitability are under pressure, ag land prices remain steady

The House of Representatives has reached a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Health and Human Services, restoring support for rural programs to previous levels after last year's administration cuts

The USDA's latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report shows elevated numbers amid uncertainty about future demand. One market analyst notes that the U.S. is currently feeding 525 million more bushels of corn than last year, but this is unsustainable due to the Mexican border shutdown.

Tyllor Ledford from US Wheat Associates discusses the minimal impact of tariffs on U.S. wheat trade, noting that memorandums of understanding from tariff negotiations have actually boosted sales as countries seek to improve trade relations with the U.S.

The 2026 Commodity Classic, a major agriculture event focused on corn, soybeans, wheat, and sorghum, is scheduled for February 25-27 in San Antonio, Texas

The USDA has shifted its strategy to combat the New World screwworm, which is approaching the U.S. border, by releasing sterile male screwworm flies 50 miles into Texas

The House of Representatives has reached a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Health and Human Services, restoring support for rural programs to previous levels after cuts by the last administration. The new bill does not reverse all Medicaid cuts but focuses on funding targeted programs for rural hospitals and clinicians, including workforce and recruitment initiatives.

The impact of drought on cattle and hay production in the U.S.

The impact of drought on cattle and hay production in the U.S.

Tyler Ledford of US Wheat Associates is transitioning from market analyst to assistant director of the Southeast Asia office, a role that involves promoting U.S. wheat in key global markets. The Southeast Asia region is highlighted for its growth potential due to a growing population and expanding economy, with some countries experiencing the highest GDP growth globally.

Higher Renewable Volume Obligations Give Soybean Oil a Lift; Potential Removal of Import Cap Seen as Bearish"

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has released updated figures for U.S. sheep, lamb, and goat inventories as of January 1, 2025.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Public Lands Council are advocating for a bill before the House Natural Resources Committee that would address the inequity in due process protections for ranchers on national grasslands under the Federal Land Policy Management Act

The American Farm Bureau Federation is disappointed that E15 fuel, which could cost consumers 10 to 30 cents less per gallon and increase corn demand by 2.4 billion bushels annually, was not included in the recent House funding bill.

Cow depreciation should be managed when buying high-priced cows.

AgroLiquid's Crop Nutrition Week, running from February 2 to 6, aims to help growers by discussing factors like soil interaction, fertilizer placement, timing, and environmental conditions that affect nutrient availability and uptake.

The wool market is struggling due to oversupply and a shift towards synthetic materials, affecting traditional markets like fashion and textiles. To counteract this, new technologies are being developed to convert wool into pellets for use as fertilizer.

Wool market prices continue to be low, so producers are having to be creative to find new uses for wool.

The USMCA remains crucial for pork producers, as it facilitates significant exports to Canada and Mexico. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) emphasizes the importance of the integrated North American food supply chain

The cattle industry is facing a "perfect storm" of high prices, low cattle herd inventory, and external threats like the New World screwworm.