President Donald Trump said his administration had struck an agreement to bring down the price of beef for consumers during an event in the Oval Office on Thursday. Trump didn’t provide details on what the federal effort entailed, but conceded that beef was one area where his efforts to fight inflation hadn’t paid enough dividends.
Ryan Hanrahan
Ryan Hanrahan is the Farm Policy News editor and social media director for the farmdoc project. He has previously worked in local news, primarily as an agriculture journalist in the American West. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri (B.S. Science & Agricultural Journalism). He can be reached at rrh@illinois.edu.
Immigration Crackdown Hurting Ag, Labor Dept. Concedes
The Trump administration said that its immigration crackdown is hurting farmers and risking higher food prices for Americans by cutting off agriculture’s labor supply. The Labor Department made this case in paperwork documenting a new rule that took effect Oct. 2 that effectively lowers pay for seasonal migrants working in agriculture under the H-2A visa program.
Trump Threatens to End Used Cooking Oil Trade with China
US President Donald Trump said he might stop trade in cooking oil with China, injecting fresh tensions into the relationship between the world’s two largest economies. Trump on Tuesday cast the potential move as retaliation against Beijing for its refusal to buy American soybeans.
Gov’t Shutdown Hits Crucial Tools for Farmers, Commodity Traders
The government shutdown is creating financial heartburn for farmers across the country, stalling the delivery of farm loans, the release of critical market reports and the Trump administration’s plans for cash bailouts.
Trump Promises New 100% Tariff on China by November
President Donald Trump on Friday said he will impose a new 100% tariff on imports from China starting Nov. 1 following Beijing’s decision to tighten exports of critical minerals. The fresh flare-up of U.S.-China tensions leaves a planned meeting between the two countries’ leaders at the end of the month in jeopardy.
Farmer Sentiment Holds Steady as Tariff Support Drops
US farmers are concerned about current economic conditions but are optimistic about the long-term outlook of the agricultural economy, according to survey results released on Oct. 7 by Purdue University and the CME Group.
Farmer Aid Reportedly Delayed by Gov’t Shutdown
The Trump administration has pushed back its plans to roll out economic aid for farmers this week due to the government shutdown, according to four people familiar with the talks. Still, some of the people familiar expect that Trump could go rogue and announce next steps on bailouts this week.
Farmer Aid of as much as $15 Billion Expected this Week
The Trump administration is expected to announce a plan as soon as Tuesday (today) to bail out U.S. farmers stung by trade disputes and big harvests, with the initial outlay potentially totaling up to $15 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Low Mississippi River Levels to Again Disrupt Harvest Shipping
Water levels in parts of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers are likely to reach critically low stages soon, forcing shippers to light-load harvest-season grain barges for the fourth year in a row.
Trump Considering at least $10 Billion for Farmer Aid, Announcement Next Week
President Trump is considering providing $10 billion or more in aid to U.S. farmers as the agriculture sector warns of economic fallout from his far-reaching tariffs, according to people familiar with the discussions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday U.S. farmers could see an announcement on a ‘substantial support’ package as soon as next Tuesday.
Gov’t Shutdown Halts Some Payments, Loans to Farmers
The U.S. federal government shutdown that began Wednesday will halt some payments to farmers and delay access to federal farm loans, the latest blow for producers already facing low crop prices, record-high debts and a trade war at the height of the fall harvest.
Nearly Half of USDA Employees to be Furloughed as Gov’t Shuts Down
During a shutdown, about 42,000 USDA staff will be furloughed, according to the agency’s 2025 shutdown contingency plan, roughly half the agency’s employees. Activities deemed mission-critical, like food safety inspections and some lab operations, will continue, while efforts like non-mandatory data collection and most research will cease, the document shows.
USDA ‘Prepared’ for Looming Government Shutdown, Layoffs Possible
The USDA says it is ready in the event of a federal government shutdown Wednesday in the absence of budget legislation, while opposition Democrats in Congress are warning of potential further cuts to the federal workforce, which the White House has threatened.
DOJ, USDA to Examine Rising Farm Input Costs
The U.S. Department of Justice antitrust division will work with the Department of Agriculture to look closely at the rising cost of agricultural inputs like fertilizer and seeds under a memorandum of understanding signed on Thursday, said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Tariff Revenue to Fund Farmer Bailout, Trump Says
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will use tariff revenue to offer cash bailouts for farmers who are struggling with trade uncertainty and other economic headwinds.
Soybean Producers Frustrated Over US Support for Argentina
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the U.S. will offer financial support to Argentina to prop up its ailing economy, prompting frustration from soybean producers, for whom Argentina is a key competitor.
USDA Puts Researchers on Leave After Canceling Hunger Report
The team of federal economists and researchers responsible for producing the government survey that measures hunger in America were put on indefinite paid leave Monday from the USDA, according to the union that represents the workers.
China’s Soybean Buyers Turn to Argentina, Continue Shunning US
Chinese buyers booked at least 10 cargoes of Argentine soybeans after Buenos Aires on Monday scrapped grain export taxes, three traders said on Tuesday, dealing another setback to U.S. farmers already shut out of their top market and hit by low prices.
Screwworm Detected 70 Miles from US Southern Border
Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality confirmed a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Sabinas Hidalgo, located in the state of Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border on Sept. 21.
Bird Flu Persists As Cattle Infected in Nebraska
Nebraska has confirmed its first case of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd as a lingering 18-month outbreak continues to afflict livestock nationwide. Additionally, animal health officials have detected bird flu in a turkey flock in Redwood County, the first new confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Minnesota poultry since April.