Line on Agriculture

R-CALF comments on President Donald Trump signing an executive order directing USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative to review authorities related to mandatory country-of-origin labeling, while a California federal judge issued an administrative stay affecting USDA employee relocations tied to the agency's reorganization.

Dr. Robert Myers discusses recent survey findings regarding drone usage in cover crop seeding. He highlights trends and technology being used in cover crops.

Tax implications when receiving reimbursement from USDA or insurance companies for disaster-related losses.

Cooperative Ventures has invested in Open Tug to enhance agricultural logistics through AI-driven barge monitoring

Executive orders aim to support ranchers but stop short of reinstating mandatory COOL. The National Farmers Union is urging Congress to act, noting a Senate Farm Bill amendment would restore COOL. In a follow-up, the administration authorized 300,000 metric tons of lower-tariff beef imports over 90 days to ease prices. Now we know where the beef will come from.

A state commodity association has established a unique micro-level trade agreement with Indonesia. It is the first MOU signed between Indonesia and a state.The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S. rule, aiming to refine definitions and potentially reduce the number of wetlands under federal jurisdiction.

Guatemala is set to launch its E10 ethanol program, with a significant increase in ethanol imports last year. The U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council anticipates a growing global demand for U.S. ethanol, with Japan and Mexico transitioning to E10 by 2030, creating markets of 1.4 billion and 1.6 billion gallons, respectively.President Trump signs executive order for

House Ag Committee Chair Glenn Thompson is seeking a waiver to serve another term, having reached the six-year term limit for GOP chairs.President Donald Trump announced a plan to pause high tariffs on imported ground beef to aid ranchers and rebuild herds. However, AgMarket.net broker Tim Strunk views this as a political move rather than an economic solution.

The U.S. cattle industry is poised for growth due to incentives in the One Big, Beautiful Bill" and favorable rain conditions. However, concerns arise from the U.S. President's plan to import 300,000 metric tons of beef, which could undermine domestic cattle production and stability. US ethanol production's corn consumption has risen, with 474.7 million bushels used in July, a 2% increase from June. This highlights a potential strain on the agricultural sector.

The USDA has launched a data modernization plan to enhance digital experiences with farmers.The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose to 135 in August, driven by optimism about the future, with a 13-point increase in future expectations.

The Environmental Protection Agency has granted 1.76 billion gallons of exemptions from the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard. EPA plans to reallocate these volumes to 2026 and 2027 obligations, effectively neutralizing the impact.Meanwhile, the USDA's Ranchers First Initiative introduces a new insurance option for ranchers to retain heifers for breeding, expands disaster assistance, supports small beef processors, and prioritizes American beef in federal procurement.

The American Farm Bureau Federation continues to push federal legislation that will allow for year-round sales of E15 fuel President Donald Trump also addressed the beef packing industry's market dominance, expressing his intention to empower more farmers and ranchers to process their own meat.

President Donald Trump's proclamation to remove tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of imported lean beef trimmings has drawn criticism from some Republicans and the U.S. cattle industry, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. A federal judge has invalidated a Trump administration rule that would have lowered wages for some foreign farm workers, citing insufficient public input.

The U.S. livestock industry is concerned following President Trump's decision to remove import tariffs on beef, which could lower grocery prices but negatively impact domestic cattle producers. The AFBF, along with other associations, is communicating with the White House and Congress to oppose this move. Meanwhile, a new phosphate fertilizer plant in Wagaman, Louisiana, is set to reduce U.S. dependency on imported phosphate by up to 60%, producing 1.3 million metric tons annually. This developm

Canada is retaliating against U.S. tariffs with new duties of up to 50% on American products, including fish, cheese, and milk, effective September 8.Meanwhile, Guatemala is preparing to launch its E10 program, which could significantly boost U.S. ethanol exports, with the U.S. planning to increase ethanol production by an additional 1 billion gallons over the next 36 months. Japan and Mexico are also transitioning to E10, creating substantial new markets for ethanol.

The U.S. border has resumed live cattle imports from Mexico, starting with the Douglas Port in Arizona. The reopening comes after Sonora confirmed its first case of New World screwworm. Additionally, there's a push to lower tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef imports to support U.S. farmers and ranchers, as a 14-month closure led to over a million head of cattle remaining in Mexico.

The USDA's August Cattle o Feed report showed a rise in feedlot inventory to over 11.1 million head, up nearly 200,000 from the previous year. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association criticized President Trump's call to increase beef imports, warning it could hinder efforts to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd

President Trump announced a 90-day tariff-free import of 300,000 metric tons of ground beef.Brazil's ethanol industry expansion, driven by Chinese investment, is reducing Brazil's role in the global corn market.

A proposed $99 million settlement in a nationwide John Deere right-to-repair lawsuit is nearing final approval.The FFA Chapter Connect program is connecting FFA chapters and students across the U.S., fostering relationships beyond the National FFA Convention, with 32 chapters currently participating.

Cargill's Fort Morgan beef processing plant has resolved a three-month labor dispute with a new five-year agreement, allowing operations to resume around August 24th. Meanwhile, farmers are divided on whether to buy fertilizers now or wait due to fluctuating prices.

Tyson Foods' closure of a beef processing facility in Illinois, capable of handling 3,000 cattle daily, has disrupted the supply chain. The World Agricultural Outlook Board has reduced the EU's wheat production estimate by 1.8 million tons due to extreme summer heat, impacting the yield and bringing the forecast to 134.2 million tons, down 11 million tons from last year. A potential historic El Niño event in the U.S., which could alter winter weather patterns.

OverviewMore optionsThe National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is disappointed that Proposition 12, which sets housing standards for breeding sows and restricts pork sales in California, failed to advance from the Senate Agriculture Committee. The vote was 10-11 against it. NPPC is working to address this issue in the current Congress, hoping for a reconsideration when the Senate reconvenes in September

The U.S. Treasury Department is set to eliminate beneficial ownership reporting requirements for small businesses, including 230,000 farms, as part of the Corporate Transparency Act. Meanwhile, R-CALF USA is making progress in advocating for mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) in the beef industry, despite the farm bill's failure to pass.

The impact of stress hormones on plant growth and the Senate Agriculture Committee Chair plans to revisit a farm bill package for a vote in September after it failed to advance previously.

USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce visited with midwestern state farmers to discuss USDA programs with farmers and ranchers Meanwhile, drought conditions in Eastern Washington have led to significant wildfires, prompting Governor Bob Ferguson to declare a federal state of emergency. The fires have burned over 300,000 acres.

The final days of the animal disease laboratory at Plum Island, New York will end soon as the transition continues into the new National Bio and Agro Defense Facility in Kansa.USDA makes changes to crop insurance.

A pasture tool that offers both fertilization and herbicide control in a single application, benefiting producers dealing with pasture and range drought stress. Farmer sentiment improves.

A pasture tool that offers both fertilization and herbicide control in a single application, benefiting producers dealing with pasture and range drought stress. Farmer sentiment improves.

The USDA's annual agricultural land values report showed a sixth consecutive year of rising values, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years. Cash rents remained steady

Another impending issue for US agriculture is a sulfur crisis due to geopolitics and China purchasing it for mining operations.

Cattle prices are strong but rising input costs and inflation are squeezing producer margins, while a federal judge has certified a class-action alleging major packers manipulated markets (2015–2020) by slowing slaughter and coordinating purchases to depress prices.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program (DNIP) extends the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Program to offer SNAP consumers discounted nutritious dairy products, including whole and 2% milk, cheese, yogurt, and sour cream.

AccuWeather's Paul Pastelak discusses the impact of current heat conditions on crops, noting that while spring wheat is performing better than expected, it will still yield less than last year due to hot weather and less precipitation in the Dakotas and Montana. Corn yields are also expected to be lower due to reduced planting. The House has approved a $95 billion budget resolution, including up to $12 billion in aid for farmers facing financial challenges, which passed on a party-line vot

Year-round E15 sales are still up for discussion in the Senate, and USDA moves ahead with employee relocations into regional US hubs.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins has urged Congress to approve $11.1 billion in additional funding for farmers to provide temporary support while U.S. farm policy is reshaped. Meanwhile, the American Sheep Industry (ASI) welcomes a recommendation from the U.S. Trade Representative for a formal safeguard investigation into lamb imports, which could affect over 100,000 sheep farms and ranches

President Donald Trump has announced an investigation into rising retail beef prices, a move supported by R-CALF USA, which has highlighted the decline in producer shares and rise in packer and retailer shares over the years.

The White House has announced that the United States will impose new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods entering the U.S. The tariffs will apply to products including alcohol, dairy, automobiles, seeds, floriculture products, flower bulbs, lumber, and animal products. The administration says the tariffs are intended to pressure Canada over what it describes as discriminatory treatment of U.S. exports. Among the concerns cited by the White House are Canada's decision to remove U.S. alcohol

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor discusses the 45Z tax credit, emphasizing its flexibility and eligibility to support innovative farming and ethanol production practices. The Department of Energy's updated GREET (Research and Development Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model now calculates the carbon reductions from farming methods such as cover crops and no-till farming, marking the first federal recognition of these practices. The model will be further update

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.