Ag Industry Calls for Trade Certainty

On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he will increase a temporary tariff from ten percent to 15 percent on U.S. imports from all countries. Reuters said that’s the maximum level allowed by law, and he made the move after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his tariff program. Ag groups responded to the Court’s decision by calling on the White House for increased certainty in trade policy and to carve out exceptions for agricultural inputs in any new tariffs. While the administration said it will pursue its trade agenda through other mechanisms, ag groups and other businesses urged the White House to recalibrate its tariff policy. “We ask the administration to find other ways to resolve trade disputes and finalize recently announced trade frameworks,” said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “America’s farmers and ranchers need stability to ensure that families across America can put food on their tables.”

Enrollment Open for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the enrollment period is open for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which provides $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers and $1 billion for specialty crops. Rollins said improving the farm economy is a top priority of the agency. “We have simplified and streamlined the application process for the bridge program to ensure producers get the financial assistance they need as quickly as possible while kicking off their spring planting season,” Rollins said. “If our farmers are not able to economically continue their operations, then we will not be able to feed ourselves in this country.” Pre-filled applications will be available online to producers with a Login.gov account who filed their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities. April 17 is the deadline to submit completed FBA applications. Producers can complete FBA applications online or submit them to their FSA county office. 

Exports Shattered Records in 2025

New statistical reports from the Renewable Fuels Association show the value of the U.S. ethanol industry’s exports rose to a record $7.6 billion in 2025. The rise was fueled by a record 2.18 billion gallons of ethanol exports and 11.6 million metric tons of distillers’ grains shipments. “Growth in the export market provided crucial support for U.S. ethanol producers this past year,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Our trading partners around the world are increasingly embracing American-made ethanol because it helps lower their fuel costs, reduces emissions, and decreases their reliance on petroleum.” The value of U.S. ethanol exports soared to $4.8 billion, also a record high. Shipments to Canada set an annual record for a single destination, totaling over 792 million gallons. The U.S. remained a net exporter for the 16th consecutive year, as imports accounted for less than 0.1 percent of domestic consumption.

DMC Signup Ends on February 26

Signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program ends this Thursday, February 26. The National Milk Producers Federation is urging farmers to apply for the program as part of a risk management strategy that helps dairy producers weather economic swings. “Dairy Margin Coverage is an essential part of a dairy farmer’s business resilience,” said Gregg Doud, the president and CEO of NMPF. “Smaller farmers gain important protection against lower margins, while larger farmers gain catastrophic coverage at little or even no cost.” He added that the signup is the first since the program was reauthorized last year, and includes coverage improvements as well as a 25 percent premium reduction for a long-term commitment. “Farmers can benefit greatly from participating in a program that has literally helped thousands of dairies,” Doud said. Farmers who are interested in participating in the program can complete their paperwork in consultation with their local Farm Service Agency Office. 

Groups Sue EPA Over Dicamba Reapproval

Farmers and conservation groups filed a lawsuit last week challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s reapproval of Dicamba herbicide that’s sprayed on genetically-resistant cotton and soybeans. “The re-registration of Dicamba flies in the face of a decade of damning evidence, real-world farming know-how, sound science, and the law,” said George Kimbrell, legal director of the Center for Food Safety and a counsel in the case. “In reality, the Trump administration has once again betrayed farmers and poisoned the environment to pad corporate pesticide profits, so we’ll see them in court.” He also said EPA administrator Lee Zeldin’s “hollow promises” that new restrictions on Dicamba will prevent damaging drift to nearby farms and backyard gardens is totally unsupported by the facts or common sense. “Zeldin insists he’s working closely with the Make America Healthy Again movement to make pesticides safer,” said Nathan Donley of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We aren’t fooled.”

Cattle on Feed, Placements Decline

Cattle on feed on February 1 and placements in feedlots declined year-over-year. That’s according to the recent Cattle on Feed Report. About 11.5 million head of cattle and calves were on feed at the beginning of the month, which the USDA said is down two percent on an annual basis. Placements last month totaled 1.74 million head, down five percent from the same month a year ago. The highest marketing level came in the 700–799-pound class, totaling 455,000 head. Under 600 pounds totaled 360,000 head, while 600-699 pounds totaled 365,000 head. Cattle placements between 800-899 pounds totaled 381,000 head. Placements included about 105,000 head weighing 900-999 pounds, and 70,000 head weighing 1,000 pounds or higher. The agency also said marketings of fed cattle in January plunged 13 percent on an annual basis, and other disappearance fell by eight percent to 55,000 head.

Tuesday Watch List

Markets

Tuesday looks to be another calm day for scheduled reports but on Wall Street it will be a busy day for company earnings announcements for the fourth quarter of 2025. As for agriculture specific reports, USDA will release their monthly Cold Storage after the close at 2 p.m. CST.

Weather

A clipper system is moving through Canada on Tuesday, getting into the Great Lakes with some areas of snow. The clipper will pull some warmer air eastward with it too, but northern areas will get a little cooler behind its cold front going into Wednesday. The next system in the pipeline is moving into the Pacific Northwest with widespread precipitation Tuesday as well.