Line on Agriculture

The U.S. wheat harvest has been severely impacted by extreme heat and dry conditions, as reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The July crop production report forecasts a yield of 46.7 bushels per acre, a slight decrease from last month and a significant 14.9% drop from the previous year. Production is expected to be 990 million bushels, the lowest since 1963.

The White House is considering an exemption for Brazilian beef imports to increase supply and lower beef prices for consumers. Sigrid Johannes, Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, expresses concerns about the proposal.

The conversation discusses the growing issue of data centers in the U.S., with thousands planned. Special Envoy John Rich emphasizes the importance of data centers as declared national security assets by the president. He notes Secretary Rollins' stance on the right and wrong ways to build these facilities and mentions his role in shaping a framework for data centers. Rich, known for his music career, has taken a voluntary position to advocate for landowners, aiming to give them a voice in feder

The U.S. Trade Representative is investigating Brazilian policies that may restrict U.S. commerce, with a focus on Brazil's agricultural practices linked to deforestation. Additionally, the Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the EPA to add cancer warning labels to pesticides with potential links to cancer.

John Deere has agreed to a right to repair settlement with the FTC and five states, mandating that they provide independent repair shops with the same access to repair tools and software as their dealers. This is in response to an anti-competitive conduct lawsuit filed in early 2025. Meanwhile, Growth Energy's CEO, Emily Skor is excited about an upcoming Women in Ethanol luncheon to celebrate the role women are playing in the industry.

John Rich, a country music artist and newly appointed special envoy for American landowners, aims to represent landowners to the federal government, addressing issues with various agencies like the EPA, HUD, and USDA. He is working to reverse regulations imposed by the Biden administration that he believes negatively impact farmers and ranchers, contributing to their inability to be cash flow positive.

The Ag Economy Barometer dropped to 113 in June, with current conditions at 102 and future expectations at 106. Cattle groups oppose the US Trade Representative's potential exemption of Brazilian beef from Section 301 tariffs. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is advocating for ivermectin in livestock feed to combat the New World screwworm spreading in Texas.

The US Wheat Associates is noted for its higher-priced wheat compared to competitors like Australia, Canada, and the Black Sea region. Joe Sowers, regional vice president, explains that the US has invested in breeding technologies to produce superior wheat for domestic use, which translates into better performance in automated production lines

Patrick Sanders, Director of Agronomy Enablement at Nutrien, discusses new sensing technology that allows for efficient field sampling and rapid identification of agronomic gaps.

The United Soybean Board of Directors is making efforts to diversify the use of soybeans.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is looking to expand and diversify its dairy export strategy through Project Diversify, a data-driven initiative that simplifies complex export market information into actionable insights for exporters.

The American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall highlights the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act as a key solution to the farm labor shortage, emphasizing the need for a year-round workforce. The bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, aims to expand the H-2A guest worker program and modernize farm labor systems.

The USMEF reported that Mexico's temporary ban on US pork offal due to pseudo-rabies detection in Iowa has cost exporters $7 million weekly. Restrictions on products from Iowa and Texas, along with new verification rules, have disrupted supply chains.

President Donald Trump has proposed an additional $11 billion in farm assistance funding to help agricultural producers recover from losses due to the Biden administration's regulations. This supplements the $12 billion already distributed this year.

(Photo: from farmprogressshow.com)The 2026 Farm Progress Show, taking place September 1-3 in Boone, Iowa, will feature a new agronomy zone where exhibiting companies can demonstrate their crop inputs, such as seeds, crop protection, and fertility products, with live-growing crops.

The Senate Agriculture Committee has released a draft of the farm bill, which updates farm programs, conservation credits, and rural development. The bill builds on last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, focusing on commodity reference prices and nutrition policies, which constitute 85% of the bill's spending

Owen Wagner from Rabobank notes that the energy market's volatility, particularly the drop in oil prices from $120 to below $80, significantly impacts agricultural commodity prices.

The value of premium crops, such as white corn, non-GMO, and organic varieties, which offer farmers higher prices compared to standard yellow corn and soybeans.

R-CALF USA, led by CEO Bill Bullard, is advocating for specific measures in the farm bill currently under Senate review. Key points include the need to revise a cattle procurement tool that allows meat packers to manipulate prices through unpriced formula contracts, which removes cattle from competitive price discovery markets

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is concerned about a policy rider attached to legislation that could undermine the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins visited the Texas ranch that had the first case of NWS in an animal since 1966.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is advocating for changes to improve livestock hauling. Director of Government Affairs Zoe Wallace highlighted issues with current regulations

In a letter recently sent to the US Senate, the National Farmers Union highlights significant challenges in the farm economy, such as high input costs, low commodity prices, market volatility, trade uncertainties, and rising farm exits and bankruptcies.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting applications for the Conservation Innovation Grant Program (CIG). Priority areas include irrigation management, nutrient management, grazing lands, soil health, water quality, water quantity, habitat improvement, and pest management. The deadline for applications is July 27.

The Iran conflict is escalating, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserting control and showing no signs of negotiating soon, which could have severe repercussions for the global economy and agriculture.

Proposed closure of the Urbana Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center and relocation to Ames, Iowa.

The first case of New World screwworm has been confirmed in Southern Texas, and the USDA says they are taking aggressive action to prevent further spread.

The Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) is under scrutiny by the U.S. meat industry due to trade barriers imposed by some African countries on American beef and pork.

The practice of beef on dairy is growing in the industry, with beef sires being used on dairy cows to produce beef calves. This approach enhances feedlot performance and meat quality compared to traditional dairy cattle

The USDA is reviewing additional base acreage for farmers under federal safety net programs, tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will allocate 30 million acres across the country.

The US dairy industry is not experiencing the trade challenges that other segments of agriculture are.

The Public Lands Council (PLC) has successfully rescinded a rule implemented by the Biden administration that prioritized conservation over other land uses, which they deemed illegal and not supported by the Organic Act or the Taylor Grazing Act. Additionally, the PLC has been actively involved in the Grazing Action Plan, signing a federal MOU to standardize grazing regulations across federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior, BLM, and the USDA Forest Service.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is addressing high labor costs and bureaucratic burdens associated with the H-2A Visa program, which is exacerbated by increased lamb imports, leading to depressed prices.

Dry conditions are pushing more cattle into feedlots, which is up 2% versus a year ago.

Despite geopolitical conflict challenges, US pork trade has remained reasonable, and consumer demand for pork is strong. H

VHalter, a company specializing in virtual fencing technology, has introduced a direct-to-satellite system that expands its reach, benefiting cattle producers with large, challenging terrains

The US and China have agreed to expand US agricultural exports to China, with a commitment to purchase at least $17 billion annually in US farm goods.

The Department of Justice is investigating potential antitrust violations, including price-fixing and volume control among beef packers. The DOJ has reviewed over 3 million documents and interviewed thousands of industry participants. They are calling for public assistance to gather more information to aid their investigation and potentially restore competitive market forces, which have been suppressed by monopolistic practices, leading to the decline of the cattle industry.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has achieved a significant milestone with the House's approval of legislation allowing year-round E15 fuel sales

Due to drought conditions across the U.S., producers are increasingly looking to sorghum as a forage option. Producers are considering grazing sorghum and Sudan grasses, and potentially shifting row crop production to irrigation to recover range land

The Farm Bill has passed the House and is moving to the Senate, but mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) was rejected.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is advocating for the Fertilizer Transparency Act to help American farmers cope with high fertilizer costs. Although the bill won't provide an immediate solution, it offers a path for farmers to understand fertilizer pricing.