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.
Farm Policy News
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.
Tariffs Could Fund Farm Economic Aid, Ag Sec Rollins Says
The Trump administration is drawing up plans to use tariff revenue to fund a program to support US farmers as they head into harvest facing falling export sales and rising input costs, agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins said.
EPA Proposes Biofuel Reallocation Options
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday issued a proposal for reallocating to large refineries the biofuel blending obligations waived under the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) program, offering two primary options of 50% and 100%. Additionally, the agency said it will ask for comment on other potential volumes, such as 25%, 75% or none at all.
USDA Considering Economic Aid, Secretary Rollins Says
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with Congress to evaluate whether economic aid might be needed for the nation’s farmers this autumn amid trade disputes and record-high yields, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Monday.
USDA Again Increases Corn Planted Acreage, Production
The USDA this past Friday raised its 2025 U.S. corn production estimate to a record 16.814 billion bushels. It projected a record average yield of 186.7 bushels per acre, down from 188.8 bushels per acre in August. Both figures were above analysts’ expectations.
EPA Biofuel Reallocation Proposal Reportedly Could Trim Demand
The White House is considering a plan that would require large oil refineries to cover around half or less of the biofuel blending requirements recently waived for smaller facilities, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
MAHA Strategy Report Mostly Friendly to Ag, Pesticides
The Trump administration’s highly anticipated policy strategy to improve children’s health outcomes targets ultra-processed food and exposure to chemicals but doesn’t go as far as some industry groups feared in proposing new regulations.
Ag Trade Deficit Hit Another Record High in July
The US agricultural trade deficit widened further in July, with agricultural exports lagging imports by $4.97 billion in July, a gap 9% wider than a year earlier and the largest on record for the month. That pushed the sector’s deficit to an unprecedented $33.6 billion for the first seven months of the year.
House, Senate Ag Chairmen Considering Market Aid for Farmers
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson told Agri-Pulse Newsmakers he still wants to take committee action on ‘farm bill 2.0’ in September and is eyeing including farm aid payments funded through tariff revenue, while Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman said “everything is on the table” to help farmers.
California Senate Passes Bill to Allow E15 Fuel Sales
California lawmakers on Wednesday voted to allow the sale of a higher-ethanol gasoline blend that could help bring down fuel prices in the largest U.S. auto market. California had been the only U.S. state that did not allow sales of E15, a blend containing 15% ethanol.
USDA Lowers Farm Income Forecast, Remains Well Above 2024
The USDA is lowering its forecast for farm earnings in 2025 as declines in the crop sector more than offset soaring incomes for cattle producers. Even with the lower numbers, both the estimates for net farm income and net cash income this year are above the 20-year average, largely due to an influx of government payments to row crop producers.
US Farmer Sentiment Hits 12 Month Low in August
United States farmer sentiment hit a 12 month low in August as producers expressed less optimism about the future and reported weak financial expectations for their farms in the coming year. It was the third month in a row that the barometer has declined.
USDA Extends Reorg Plan Comment Period to Sept. 30
The USDA has quietly extended the public comment period for its controversial reorganization plan to Sept. 30, doubling the length of time provided for input on an initiative that has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans since it was unveiled last month.