Dairy Leaders Push for Ag Labor Reform on Capitol Hill

Dairy farmers from across the country took their message to Capitol Hill this week, urging lawmakers to advance agricultural labor reform and other key dairy priorities. More than three dozen advocates participated in the National Milk Producers Federation's State Dairy Association Summit, holding about 50 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. A top priority was the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson. The legislation would expand H-2A access for year-round industries like dairy by removing the program's seasonal requirement, allowing contracts of up to 350 days and creating a pathway for the current workforce to transition into a legal visa program. "Ag labor is one of the most important issues of any in agriculture right now," said North Carolina dairy farmer Doug Holland, president of the North Carolina Dairy Producers Association. Summit participants also discussed passing a new farm bill and expanding milk options in schools.

TFI Applauds Legislation to Strengthen Inland Waterway System

The Fertilizer Institute is applauding congressional approval of the Water Resources Development Act, saying the legislation will strengthen the nation's inland waterway system and improve fertilizer transportation. The bill includes a proposal to create the Inland Navigation Construction Organization, aimed at improving the construction, rehabilitation, and modernization of aging locks and dams that move fertilizer and other agricultural products across the country. TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch says, "For decades, aging locks and dams have created costly delays and uncertainty throughout the inland navigation system. A more coordinated and efficient approach to maintaining and modernizing locks and dams will help ensure these critical assets remain reliable for the industries and communities that depend on them." Rosenbusch says nearly 70 million tons of fertilizer move on U.S. waterways each year. He adds that modernizing the system will help reduce shipping delays and keep fertilizer supplies moving to farmers on time.

USDA Accepting Applications for Vietnam Trade Mission

The USDA is accepting applications through July 27 for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Vietnam, scheduled for November 9-12. The trade mission will connect U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses with buyers in Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia through business meetings, site visits, and market briefings. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says, "This mission will build on our rapid response trade mission we just wrapped up in March and lock in wins for American farmers and agricultural producers in this critical market." Vietnam is the seventh-largest export market for U.S. agriculture, purchasing $5.6 billion in American farm products in 2025. USDA says strong opportunities exist for fresh fruit, dairy products, poultry, feed ingredients, cotton, ethanol, seafood, and forestry products, while growing consumer demand for healthier foods is creating additional opportunities for U.S. organic and premium food manufacturers.

U.S. and Canada Combine Sales Slightly Increase in June

Combine sales posted modest gains in June, while tractor sales continued to decline, according to the latest numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. combine sales increased 3.9 percent from a year ago, while Canadian combine sales jumped 14.2 percent. Meanwhile, U.S. agricultural tractor sales fell 18.4 percent, and Canadian tractor sales dropped 12.5 percent. AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades says, "Although tractor sales remain below last year's levels, the increase in combine sales is a welcome development and demonstrates that farmers continue to invest where it makes the most sense for their operations." The biggest drop in U.S. tractor sales took place in the four-wheel-drive farm tractor category, which dropped by over 30 percent from last year. Blades says the farm equipment market continues to face significant economic headwinds and adds that greater certainty surrounding market conditions and long-term farm policy will be important to restoring confidence across rural America.

Regenerative Agriculture Gaining Momentum in Rural America

Regenerative agriculture continues to gain momentum across the country, with USDA reporting that nearly 40 million acres were managed using USDA-supported regenerative practices in fiscal year 2023. That's an increase of more than 360 percent compared to a decade earlier. USDA says the most widely adopted practices include grazing management, nutrient management, pest management, conservation systems, and cover crops. Overall, farmers, ranchers, and conservationists received financial and technical assistance for conservation practices on nearly 70 million acres in 2023, highlighting the broad adoption of conservation efforts across American agriculture. USDA recently launched a new $700 million Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program to help producers expand soil health and water quality practices. The program includes $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program. USDA says the initiative builds on conservation practices many farmers and ranchers have already been using for decades while encouraging even greater adoption in the years ahead.

USTR Launching an Investigation into Imported Lamb Meat

The American Sheep Industry Association says the U.S. Trade Representative has recommended launching a formal investigation into imported lamb meat, marking a major step forward in the industry's trade case. The recommendation follows a petition filed by ASI last October on behalf of more than 100,000 U.S. sheep farms and ranches, claiming imported lamb has seriously harmed domestic producers. According to ASI, lamb imports climbed nearly 45 percent between 2020 and 2024, with imported product now accounting for about 70 percent of the U.S. market. ASI President Ben Lehfeldt says, "This milestone was no accident. It has been through the hard work of ASI state member leaders, staff, and sheep producers throughout the country that we reach this point." The U.S. International Trade Commission will now begin a formal safeguard investigation to determine whether rising imports have injured the domestic sheep industry and whether trade relief is warranted.

Thursday Watch List

Markets

On Thursday, USDA will start the day with their weekly Export Sales report at 7:30 a.m. CDT, with sales data for the week ending July 9. At 2 p.m. CDT, USDA's Economic Research Service will release their July Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook with the weekly federally inspected Slaughter report out at the same time.

Weather

A heat dome continues to produce high temperatures across northern areas on Thursday, but for areas in the Midwest, the heat should be a little more muted today. With showers spreading in and wildfire smoke continuing to push through, high temperatures should be a couple of degrees cooler the next couple of days.