CoBank: Farmers Increasing Soybean Acres in 2026

Low crop prices and high production costs are weighing heavily on U.S. farmers as the spring planting season draws near and farmers make decisions about which crops offer the most favorable returns. A new report from CoBank said U.S. soybean acreage is projected to increase almost six percent this year, with soybeans pulling acres from multiple crops. The expansion of U.S. soy crush capacity and expectations of continued Chinese demand have lifted soybean prices to more attractive levels than competing crops. “Following recent price rallies, soybeans offer greater profit potential than corn, wheat, sorghum, cotton, and rice,” said Tanner Ehmke, lead grains and oilseeds economist with CoBank. The analysis showed soybean acreage will increase 5.9 percent over last year to reach 86 million acres. Total U.S. corn acreage is projected to be 94 million, down 4.8 percent from last year. Spring wheat acres are expected to drop by one percent to 9.89 million acres. 

USDA Proposes Updates to Federal Line Speed Regulations

The USDA announced proposed updates to federal line speed regulations of poultry and pork establishments operating under modern inspection systems. The agency said these updates reflect years of data and experience, and are designed to help lower costs for American families, reduce outdated regulatory barriers for processors, and support a more efficient and resilient food supply. “These updates remove outdated bottlenecks so that we can lower production costs and create greater stability in our food system,” said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. The changes would allow eligible establishments to operate at speeds supported by their processes, equipment, and food safety performance. The Food Safety and Inspection Service would maintain full oversight and retain the authority for its inspectors to slow or stop operations whenever inspection cannot be performed effectively. The proposals are intended to help establishments that have operated under waivers, pilots, and temporary measures for years by giving them more certainty. 

Groups Applaud USDA Line Speed Proposals

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced new actions to reduce line speed processing burdens on meat processing facilities, allowing for greater efficiency while maintaining food safety standards. “The current patchwork approach has created significant uncertainty for companies and has put our members at a disadvantage globally, where other countries operate at faster speeds,” said National Chicken Council President Harrison Kircher. “I want to thank the administration and the Food Safety and Inspection Service for adhering to science-based principles.” The National Pork Producers Council also lauded the move. “Thank you for unleashing the potential to process pork more efficiently while also protecting food and worker safety,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler. “Greater efficiency of increased line speeds provides financial security and more stability for pork producers.” He also said that without the New Swine Inspection System program, it’s likely that U.S. pork producers could have incurred an additional loss of almost ten dollars a head. 

Biofuel Leaders Want Accelerated Action on Year-Round E15

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association released a statement regarding the lack of progress toward a legislative solution offering consumers permanent year-round E15 access. After reaching an impasse in January, House leaders agreed to establish an E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, which was charged with reaching a deal on consensus legislation no later than February 15. No such deal was announced as the deadline passed. “House leaders already have bipartisan, consensus legislation that has broad support from the overwhelming majority of biofuels, agriculture, fuel retail, and oil refining interests,” leaders of the three groups said in the statement. “The solution is there on the table, and we urge council members to refocus their attention on proposals that already have widespread support.” They also said E15 champions in Congress and the administration understand that voters want more American-made energy, lower pump prices, and a stronger farm economy, so House and Senate leaders “should listen.” 

National FFA Week Brings Students, Communities, and Agriculture Together

Over one million FFA members, alumni, and supporters will celebrate National FFA Week from February 21 to February 28. It’s an annual tradition coordinated by the National FFA Organization to share the real value of FFA and the impact it has on members every day. “National FFA Week is a time when we showcase the collective impact of FFA nationwide,” said National FFA Advisor, Dr. Travis Park. “Throughout FFA, we see our members stepping up as leaders, innovators, and advocates for agriculture.” Park also said this happens through the dedication of agriculture teachers, FFA Alumni, and Supporters. The six National FFA Officers will travel across the country to connect with members during the week, leading workshops, delivering keynote talks, and interacting with students on a more personal level. “I’m really looking forward to being in North Carolina and seeing FFA show up in so many different ways,” said Trey Myers, National FFA President.

Mizzou Researchers Uncover Key to Growing More Resilient Crops

Farmers are always interested in growing more resilient crops that can survive tough conditions. Researchers at the University of Missouri may have literally gotten to the root of the challenge. Researchers have discovered how a specific protein known as SRFR1 plays a critical role in how deeply plant roots grow underground. What’s even more promising is that they unlocked a way to manipulate this protein to encourage longer root growth, which is a trait that can potentially help plants better withstand drought. This breakthrough could pave the way for genetically engineered seeds that produce more resilient crops. “Depending on the environment, plants sometimes need a longer or shorter root, and we discovered the protein that helps regulate the outcome,” said Walter Gassman of the Missouri College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. ‘Now that we have learned what this protein does, we can manipulate it to help the plant thrive in various environments.” 

Thursday Watch List

Markets

Thursday will feature the start of the USDA Ag Outlook Forum with the release of USDA's Commodity Outlook documents at 6 a.m. CST, which will include early forecasts for the 2026-27 marketing years. Later, at 9:30 a.m. CST, the EIA will release their weekly Petroleum Status Report with last week's ethanol production. At 10:15 a.m. CST, new USDA Chief Economist Justin Benavidez will speak regarding USDA's outlook.

Weather

Swaths of heavy snow could develop across Iowa and southern Wisconsin Thursday, and snow totals could exceed eight inches in some spots. The same storm system could also produce locally strong to severe thunderstorms across the Ohio Valley where damaging winds and hail will be the main threats with any stronger storms. A few isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.