The Agribusiness Update

The DOJ is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, and a federal judge in California has denied a request by the United Farm Workers to temporarily block the Trump administration's revised wage rule for H-2A workers.

Every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages, and Congressional negotiations over the next farm bill have intensified as lawmakers continue debating funding priorities, nutrition programs and conservation spending.

Florida blueberry growers are reporting severe crop losses after a series of freezes in late January and early February, and Congressional negotiations over the next farm bill have intensified as lawmakers continue debating funding priorities, nutrition programs and conservation spending.

The National Milk Producers Federation praised a new USDA interim final rule expanding milk options in federal child nutrition programs, and dispute is growing over federal grazing policy in western states as environmental groups prepare legal challenges.

The USDA will make up to $9 million available to fund the removal of cling peach orchards for growers after Del Monte plant closure in Modesto, and growing scrutiny of the meatpacking industry and rising Brazilian beef imports are fueling a new debate.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture announce the 27 students selected to receive $70,000 in scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year, and growing scrutiny of the meatpacking industry and rising Brazilian beef imports are fueling a new debate.

The introduction of new commercial strawberry varieties has raised expectations for an industry turnaround after years of declining production, and federal trade court ruled President Trump unlawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% global tariff.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a number of bills related to agriculture, forestry, and natural resources into law, and federal trade court ruled President Trump unlawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% global tariff.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and farm groups are emphasizing the importance of mental health support for farmers and ranchers facing growing stress, and USDA has finalized new stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and farm groups are emphasizing the importance of mental health support for farmers and ranchers facing growing stress, and USDA has finalized new stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

California farmers' increasingly urgent need to reduce water use has attracted new businesses and more creative solutions for recycling wastewater, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association has endorsed new bipartisan legislation aimed at clarifying how alternative protein products are labeled.

A large part of Southeast farm country is dry as farmers plant crops this spring, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association has endorsed new bipartisan legislation aimed at clarifying how alternative protein products are labeled.

The new farm bill passed in the House includes key provisions supporting veterinary medicine, animal health, and public safety, and EPA releases draft Fungicide Strategy and is seeking public input as part of a 60-day comment period.

The DOJ has launched an antitrust investigation into the nation's beef processing industry, and battle lines are being drawn in the Senate for a possible late May or early June markup of the recently passed House farm bill.

The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force will host its annual Smoke Summit on Monday, June 8, and Senate Democrats are pushing for changes to the newly passed House farm bill.

Florida residents should prepare for a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and Senate Democrats are pushing for changes to the newly passed House farm bill.

The USDA is restructuring its Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services mission, announcing plans to create a new Food and Nutrition Administration, and U.S. beef recently regained duty-free access to the United Kingdom as part of a deal reached by the Trump administration last year.

Mandates such as California's Universal Meals Program already provide funding to improve access to nutritious meals served to public-school students, and U.S. officials are seeking expanded Chinese purchases of American farm goods ahead of an expected presidential trip next month.

Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper announced the launch of the Georgia Grown Resource Center in Albany, and U.S. officials are seeking expanded Chinese purchases of American farm goods ahead of an expected presidential trip next month.

The House of Representatives passed the 2026 Farm Bill and ag groups are expressing their appreciation, and new efforts by the Trump administration to impose import tariffs are drawing concern across the ag industry.

New study puts a hefty price tag on the cost to Napa County winegrape growers of complying with government regulations, and AccuWeather forecasting a slightly lower number of U.S. wildfires in 2026, but they could be more intense and destructive.

EPA approves CarriCea T1, a breakthrough citrus rootstock that helps trees defend themselves against citrus greening disease, and AccuWeather forecasting a slightly lower number of U.S. wildfires in 2026, but they could be more intense and destructive.

The USDA is planning changes to its crop reporting process after a sharp decline in farmer participation, and a new USDA survey shows rented farmland remains a major part of American agriculture.

The Georgia Dept of Agriculture and the USDA announced twenty additional Georgia counties designated as primary natural disaster areas due to drought, and a new USDA survey shows rented farmland remains a major part of American agriculture.

The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is delivering billions in aid to row crop producers as farmers grapple with a worsening ag economy, and the United States continues to be the third-largest supplier of agricultural products to Australia.

A coalition of farm groups and lawmakers is urging Congress to address California's Proposition 12, and Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a case involving allegations that exposure to Roundup caused cancer.

Georgia Department of Agriculture and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirm case of bird flu in a non-commercial backyard flock in Pierce County, and Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a case involving allegations that exposure to Roundup caused cancer.

The USDA is exploring a significant increase in its borrowing authority to strengthen financial support programs for farmers facing ongoing economic strain, and Rural Broadband Association applauds Congressional passage of the Rural Broadband Protection Act.

With California facing a below-average snowpack and recent warm temperatures some technologies and methods are emerging to help farmers adapt their irrigation practices, and the FAA is accelerating enforcement of drone regulations, a move that could have broad implications for farmers.

The Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors has approved over $764,000 in research project funding for 2025-26, and the FAA is accelerating enforcement of drone regulations, a move that could have broad implications for farmers.

Labor shortages continue to challenge specialty crop growers, raising concerns about production, harvest and rising costs, and a bipartisan group of senators is urging continued support and improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

A few tiny heroes may help fight Florida's long-running battle against citrus greening disease, and rising costs, and a bipartisan group of senators is urging continued support and improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

American cattle producers gathered in Washington, D.C., on Tax Day for a press conference highlighting the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts, and U.S. sugar producers raising alarms over a surge of subsidized foreign sugar imports they say threaten domestic industry.

Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced Dr. LuJean Waters as the 2026 Woman of the Year in Agriculture, and agricultural economists warn ongoing conflict in the Middle East could put added financial pressure on U.S. farmers.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill returned from the Easter recess with growing optimism that a new five-year farm bill could soon advance, and overwhelming majority of U.S. farmers say rising fertilizer costs are limiting their ability to operate this season.

Ever-increasing labor costs in California and free trade that led to a surge in cheaper, duty-free asparagus imports from Mexico have pushed the state's asparagus industry to the brink, and USDA announced a major increase in funding for specialty crop programs.

Consumers are eating more peanut butter, which accounts for more than 60% of all peanuts consumed in the U.S., and USDA announced a major increase in funding for specialty crop programs.

Two Democrats running to be California's next governor scorned a state law their own party, and influential labor unions, celebrated a decade ago, and U.S. wheat industry leaders joined a recent USDA trade mission to Vietnam.

Georgia farmers intend to plant more acres in corn, cotton and oats in 2026, while other principal crops are expected to decline, and U.S. wheat industry leaders joined a recent USDA trade mission to Vietnam.

Other than higher-than-expected wheat stocks, not many surprises in the April World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates from USDA, and in the wake of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, what does that mean for fertilizer prices?

Six candidates for California's next governor say they'd roll back regulations that have made it challenging to farm in the state, and USDA's Farm Service Agency reopens acreage reporting period to give producers more time to complete 2025 crop acreage reports for apples, pears and cherries.

Six candidates running for California governor say if elected, they'd roll back regulations that have made it challenging to farm, and USDA's Farm Service Agency reopens acreage reporting period to give producers more time to complete 2025 crop acreage reports for apples, pears and cherries.