Trump Order Protects Glyphosate, Phosphate Production

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act to protect the domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The order says these two critical inputs are essential to military readiness and America’s agricultural strength, respectively. The Order finds that any interruption of the supply of either of these critical materials could leave the defense industrial base and food supply vulnerable to hostile foreign actors. Reuters said the order underscores U.S. farmers’ critical need to have access to the herbicide. Bayer, the only domestic supplier of glyphosate, produces roughly 40 percent of the world’s supply at its U.S. facilities, and the company added that this move would not lead to shortages in other countries. However, not everyone applauded the move by the White House. The New York Times reported that the move set off immediate alarms among the supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement. 

Bayer Proposes a Roundup Settlement

Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced they’ve reached a proposed settlement this week worth $7.25 billion. The goal is to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that Roundup, its most popular weed killer, could cause cancer. The AP reports the settlement came about as the Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments in April on Bayer’s assertion that the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should invalidate claims filed in state courts. “Patients would be assured of receiving at least some settlement money,” the Associated Press reported, “even if the Supreme Court ruled in Bayer’s favor.” Bayer would also be protected from potentially much larger financial penalties if the Court ruled against the agrochemical manufacturer. The deal would require Bayer to make yearly payments into a fund for up to 21 years, which could eventually be worth $7.25 billion. 

Farm Journal Reports Rural Veterinarian Shortage

Farm Journal Foundation launched the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program in 2022 to address the nationwide shortage of veterinarians in rural America. The shortage is having significant consequences on farmer livelihoods, food security, and rural economic growth. In the last four years, the Foundation discovered that the shortage is multidimensional, with high student debt being just one factor. Other factors include a lack of early exposure to the opportunities offered in this field, mentorship, and business training, are equally as significant. Recruitment and retention must also be addressed together through a coordinated education-to-practice continuum. Sustainable progress in getting more vets into rural areas depends on local and state infrastructure, not just federal-level programs. Young veterinarians often cite business confidence, financial literacy, and consistent community support as key factors in deciding whether to remain in rural practice. University extension partnerships are effective vehicles for delivering targeted business and risk management training for young veterinarians.

More Eggs and Chickens Entering the Production Pipeline

The USDA reported that American hatcheries increased placements of eggs and chicks during the week ending on February 14. Hatcheries set 254 million eggs in incubators during the week, which the agency said is up two percent year-over-year. The average hatchability, which is the number of chicks hatched by eggs set three weeks earlier, was 79 percent. Broiler placements totaled 196 million chicks for meat, also a two percent increase. From January 10 through February 14, placements increased two percent on an annual basis to 1.18 billion. Georgia had the largest number of broiler-type eggs, set at 36.3 billion. Alabama was close behind at 35.9 billion, and Arkansas had 26.7 billion. Those same three states also led the country in broiler chicks placed. Georgia was first at 29.7 million, followed by Alabama at 24.2 billion, and Arkansas at 21.7 billion. 

Congressional Ethanol Group Tweaks E15 Proposal

A council of U.S. lawmakers is trying to break an impasse over access to year-round E15. The Rural Domestic Energy Council has tweaked a proposal that would allow U.S. consumers to use E15 year-round. The Financial Post said both the agriculture and oil groups are deeply divided over the biofuel policy. Year-round access to E15 gasoline at the nation’s pumps would boost profits for U.S. farmers, who need more demand for their corn. The deal is being held up by multiple refiners who are arguing over which of them should qualify for exemptions from blending biofuels. The Council has now raised the number of exemptions allowable on blending mandates. The tweaked plan would limit exemptions on small refinery obligations to 550 million Renewable Identification Numbers per year. That’s 100 RINs per year above the original proposal. It’s a concession to the small and mid-sized refiners who said the current limit was too small. 

NACD Elects New President-Elect

The National Association of Conservation Districts Board of Directors elected Mark Masters of southwest Georgia to serve as the association’s President-Elect. He will serve a one-year term as President-Elect alongside the current NACD President, Gairy Blair, and will assume the role of NACD President in 2027. “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Mark for the past few years,” said Blair. “Mark brings dedication to locally-led conservation, and the knowledge and leadership needed to help NACD achieve bold new horizons.” As the Executive Director of the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center, Masters leverages his wealth of knowledge on issues related to water use and management and supports conservation research and outreach across the country. He’s also a proud graduate of the National Conservation Foundation’s inaugural Next Generation Leadership Institute Cohort. Masters operates a beef cow and timber farm with his family and has three children with his wife, Amy.

Friday Watch List

Markets

USDA will release their delayed weekly Export Sales report at 7:30 a.m. CST on Friday. At the same time, major macroeconomic reports such as fourth quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product, and December Personal Consumption Expenditure data will be released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the afternoon, USDA will release their February Cattle on Feed report at 2 p.m. CST. Finally, CFTC will round out the week with the Commitments of Traders report at 2:30 p.m. CST.

Weather

A storm system is wrapping up in the Great Lakes and is still producing some heavy snow in Wisconsin and scattered showers across the East. One last system will enter the southern half of the Plains Friday as well with more isolated showers, but will include some snow for Colorado and Kansas.