USDA Accepts 2.2 Million Acres into Conservation Reserve Program

The USDA has accepted 2.2 million acres into the 2026 Conservation Reserve Program, providing farmers and landowners with conservation payments while protecting soil, water, and wildlife habitat. The program was highly competitive, with producers offering nearly 2.5 million acres for enrollment. Because CRP is capped at 27 million acres nationwide, not every offer could be accepted. More than 982,000 acres set to expire on September 30 were re-enrolled, while producers also offered 1.5 million acres of new land. Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota led the nation in accepted acres. "The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country," said Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam. "The success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA's Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America's farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources." CRP provides annual rental payments and cost-share assistance while improving water quality, reducing erosion, and supporting wildlife habitat.

RFA Backs Tariffs on Brazilian Ethanol Imports

The Renewable Fuels Association told the U.S. International Trade Commission it supports the Trump administration's reciprocal tariff on ethanol imports from Brazil, arguing the move is needed to address what it calls unfair trade barriers against U.S. ethanol. RFA officials testified that the United States and Brazil once enjoyed a strong two-way ethanol trade, but said Brazil changed course in 2017 by imposing tariffs that sharply reduced U.S. exports. "Prior to the implementation of punitive trade barriers, Brazil and the United States enjoyed an open and efficient two-way trading relationship in ethanol," said RFA General Counsel Ed Hubbard. "Beginning in 2017, Brazil unilaterally abandoned that approach, turning to a pro-tariff policy that disadvantaged U.S. ethanol imports." According to RFA, U.S. fuel ethanol exports to Brazil fell to zero in 2023, before recovering modestly to $43 million in 2024 and $68 million in 2025, a fraction of the market Brazil represented just a few years earlier.

USCA Urges New Tariffs on Brazilian Beef Imports

The United States Cattlemen's Association is urging the U.S. Trade Representative to impose tougher tariffs on Brazilian beef, arguing imports give Brazil an unfair advantage over American cattle producers. Testifying before USTR, USCA called for an additional 25 percent tariff on all Brazilian bovine products, including beef cuts, trim, and edible offal. The group also asked officials to reject exemptions that could allow products to be relabeled and to require verified improvements in Brazil's environmental and labor practices before any tariffs are lifted. "Brazil's cattle sector enjoys an unfair advantage that no U.S. rancher can—or would ever want to—compete with," said USCA Director of Policy and Public Affairs Jenna Stanton. "We are simply asking for a market where everyone plays by the same basic rules." USCA also says illegal deforestation, forced labor, and corruption in Brazil's cattle industry create an uneven playing field for U.S. ranchers and justify stronger trade action.

FFA Conference Gives Students a Look at Agribusiness Careers

Seventy-five FFA members from across the country recently explored careers in agribusiness during the National FFA Organization's Next Gen Conference in Chicago. The five-day conference introduced high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to career opportunities through industry tours, panel discussions, and hands-on learning. Students visited agricultural businesses and gained experience with companies including CHS, CNH Industrial, and GROWMARK, while learning how agriculture extends far beyond the farm. "Over the decades, the business of agriculture has evolved beyond the traditional farming landscape," said National FFA Program Specialist Ashli Weinrich. "Hosting our Next Gen Conference in Chicago gives our members the opportunity to explore what agriculture looks like in a non-traditional landscape." The students were selected through a competitive application process highlighting their Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. FFA says the conference helps prepare members for careers in agribusiness, marketing, management, and other sectors of the agriculture industry.

USDA Expands Freeze Relief for Apple Growers

The USDA is expanding emergency crop insurance relief for apple growers hit by a damaging late-April freeze in Maryland, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Risk Management Agency is allowing approved insurance providers to finalize certain crop insurance claims before growers finish harvesting or marketing damaged apples. The change gives producers more flexibility to decide whether fruit should be sold fresh, sent to processing, or handled another way. "At USDA, we're prioritizing American farmers to ensure they have the tools they need to be successful," said Farm Production and Conservation Undersecretary Richard Fordyce. "This flexibility puts Farmers First, allowing them to put their fruit to its best use." Growers who choose that option must provide production records after the crop is marketed. USDA says the move responds to requests from producers and packers while helping preserve crop insurance integrity and keeping more apples moving through the marketplace.

Missouri River Runoff Remains Well Below Average

Runoff into the Missouri River Basin remains well below normal, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to shorten this year's navigation season. June runoff above Sioux City, Iowa, totaled 2.9 million acre-feet, just 52 percent of average. The Corps now forecasts 2026 runoff at 15.5 million acre-feet, or 60 percent of normal, as dry conditions and below-average mountain snowpack continue across the basin. "Mountain snowpack peaked much earlier than normal this year and completely melted by the end of June," said John Remus, chief of the Corps' Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. "Dry conditions are expected to continue in July." Because of lower water supplies, navigation flow support will end November 15, about two weeks earlier than a normal season. The Corps also says winter releases from Gavins Point Dam will likely be reduced to the minimum rate if dry conditions persist.

Wednesday Watch List

Markets

On Wednesday, the Energy Information Administration will release the weekly Petroleum Status report at 9:30 a.m. CDT, including last week's ethanol production. Otherwise, the June Federal Reserve meeting minutes will be released at 1 p.m. CDT, offering further insight into the decision to hold rates steady last month. Finally, with hostilities increasing in the Strait of Hormuz once again, traders will be closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, with the U.S. revoking the June waiver on Iranian oil sanctions and launching strikes on Tuesday in response to Iranian attacks on oil tankers in the Strait.

Weather

A diffuse system continues to produce isolated to scattered showers in the southeastern quadrant of the country on Wednesday. Some pockets of heavy rain will be possible, but the primary action comes from a front that is slowly moving through the country this week. For Wednesday, we should see thunderstorms developing from the Nebraska-Kansas border area into Wisconsin. Some of those storms could be severe.