The Agribusiness Update

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.

A Mississippi bill became law that creates the nation's first ban on the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of cell-cultured dairy products, and USDA launched a nationwide initiative to help farmers adopt new technologies with greater confidence amid ongoing economic pressures.

In just its second year, the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Washington Bee Atlas collected and identified records of nearly 30 new or rare bee species in the state, and John Deere announced it has reached a settlement in its “right to repair” lawsuit, bringing the case to a close.

The University of Florida IFAS announced its 2026 Flavors of Florida fundraising event raised $13,000 for its therapeutic horticulture program, and John Deere announced it has reached a settlement in its “right to repair” lawsuit, bringing the case to a close.

The American Farm Bureau is backing a new agreement between the USDA and Dept of the Interior aimed at improving grazing access on public lands, and NFU is accepting applications for its Beginning Farmer Institute, a FREE ten-week online program designed to strengthen farm and ranch businesses.

U.S. farmers expected to plant the smallest wheat crop on record this year, and organic producers reporting delays in federal reimbursements intended to offset certification costs.

A federal plan to relocate the headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service from Washington to Utah is drawing mixed reactions from agriculture and rural stakeholders, and legislators introduce bipartisan Ag Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Act.

Papa Mountain secured the top spot in the 2026 Flavor of Georgia food product competition for its Garlic and Herb Bread Rolls, and legislators introduce bipartisan Ag Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Act.

The USDA will lead a trade mission to the Philippines next week, to expand market access for America's agriculture, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Jeanne Shaheen led ten Democrats in raising concerns to USDA about the reliability of their data.

California Farm Bureau recognized efforts in the state Legislature to honor farmworkers through the designation of Farmworkers Day, and EPA releases long-awaited final Renewable Fuels Standard volume obligations for 2026 and 27.

Georgia Farm Bureau is looking to recognize a furry farm hero through its 2026 Georgia Farm Dog Contest, and EPA releases long-awaited final Renewable Fuels Standard volume obligations for 2026 and 27.

California agricultural exports to China saw a 64% decline last year, and a majority of Americans support expansion of lower-cost E15 fuel and legislation to make it available year-round.

U.S. farmer competitiveness, input costs, and commodity prices were among the top concerns in a recent Southern Cotton Ginners Association survey, and a majority of Americans support expansion of lower-cost E15 fuel and legislation to make it available year-round.

The EPA has finalized new renewable fuel standards to increase biofuel blending requirements and strengthen domestic energy production, and uncertainty surrounding the next farm bill continues as lawmakers remain divided on several key agricultural and nutrition policies.

A man-made food source provided honeybees a nutritious diet over the course of two winters through a new study at WSU, and the Renewable Fuels Association welcomed an EPA decision to allow uninterrupted sales of lower-cost E15 this summer.

A federal appeals court upheld Florida's ban on lab-grown meat, that's been in place since 2024, and the Renewable Fuels Association welcomed an EPA decision to allow uninterrupted sales of lower-cost E15 this summer.

California avocado growers will soon take center stage in the California Avocado Commission's “What's Inside a California Avocado” ad campaign, and Feeding the Economy report provides a yearly look at the full economic footprint of U.S. food and agriculture.

The University of Georgia's CAES generated a statewide economic impact of $933.7 million in 2025, and Feeding the Economy report provides a yearly look at the full economic footprint of U.S. food and agriculture.

A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill that would require mandatory price reporting of fertilizer, and data from the Economic Research Service's Food Dollar Series provides a clear picture of consumer food spending across the food supply chain.

A team of Montana State University microbiologists will spend the next three years expanding research into bird flu, and Senate Ag Chair John Boozman plans to take up a five-year farm bill within weeks.

March is National Peanut Month, a time to celebrate one of America's favorite foods, and Senate Ag Chair John Boozman plans to take up a five-year farm bill within weeks.

As the nation celebrated National Ag Day Tuesday, the National Agricultural Aviation Association honored aerial applicators, and the USDA launches a trade mission to Vietnam.

California Farm Bureau presented California State Treasurer Fiona Ma with the Champion of Agriculture Award, and lawmakers from both parties voiced support for American farmers during a Senate Ag Committee hearing.

Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson joined Governor Ron DeSantis, and others as the 2026 Florida Farm Bill was signed into law, and lawmakers from both parties voiced support for American farmers during a Senate Ag Committee hearing.

Reuters reports that the Trump administration is seeking other sources of fertilizer ‌amid the ongoing Iran war's shipping constraints, and Federal farm support programs are playing an increasingly central role as American producers navigate economic uncertainty, high costs and weak prices.

University of California Extension Center's Atef Swelam would like to see California farmers capitalize on the untapped market for tea, and U.S. ethanol production increased to the highest output in several weeks.

The arrival of the cotton Jassid has quickly become one of the most significant emerging threats in the Southeast, and U.S. ethanol production increased to the highest output in several weeks.

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, now in its third week, is taking a toll on California's high-value agriculture sector, and U.S. ethanol exports declined slightly to start the year.

The annual Georgia Farm Bureau Presidents' trip to Washington, D.C., provided members the opportunity to interact directly with Georgia's congressional delegation, and U.S. ethanol exports declined slightly to start the year.

President Trump will seek funding for the war in Iran, while Republican lawmakers debate wildfire aid and $15 billion in tariff relief for farmers, and leaders from Ag, manufacturing, and technology met in Washington to highlight the importance of renewing the USMCA.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture's Washington Bee Atlas has collected and identified records of nearly 30 new or rare bee species in the state, and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall offered Senate Ag Committee a variety of solutions for increasing demand for U.S.-grown agricultural goods.

The wait is almost over as the highly anticipated Vidalia onion season is set to begin, and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall offered Senate Ag Committee a variety of solutions for increasing demand for U.S.-grown agricultural goods.

Over 2 million landowners rented out 348 million acres of farmland, according to the 2024 TOTAL survey from the National Ag Statistics Service, and the sales of all tractors during February in the U.S. were down 12% from the same month last year.

California's processing tomato acreage is set to decline for a third straight year, and leaders from across the U.S. ag sector will gather at USDA headquarters March 24th to celebrate National Agriculture Day.

Tickets are now available for Savor the State: A Flavor of Georgia Tasting Experience taking place in Athens, and leaders from across the U.S. ag sector will gather at USDA headquarters March 24th to celebrate National Agriculture Day.

While some have benefited, California's 2016 agricultural overtime law has reduced overall earnings for farmworkers, and U.S. farmers brace for shock resulting from the disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the impact on fertilizer.