Thompson Unveils ‘Farm Bill 2.0’ to Ag Groups’ Positive Reaction

Agricultural and conservation groups said they are cautiously optimistic after House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson introduced a new Farm Bill proposal Friday afternoon aimed at restarting stalled negotiations in Congress. Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican,  unveiled the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” which is scheduled for consideration by the House Agriculture Committee beginning Feb. 23. If advanced, the legislation could reach the House floor later this spring. Agriculture-aligned conservation groups welcomed the move as a signal of progress after months of uncertainty. Several farm-related matters were previously addressed in last year's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill."  Aaron Field, director of private lands conservation for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said the Farm Bill plays a critical role in supporting working lands, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation tied to agriculture. Groups emphasized that bipartisan support will be required for passage and said they plan to closely review the bill’s conservation and forestry provisions as the legislative process moves forward.

Navarro Flags ‘Significant’ USMCA Flaws but Stops Short of Exit Talk

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said Thursday that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has “significant flaws,” raising questions about the future of the landmark North American trade pact but stopping short of endorsing an exit. Navarro told reporters the pact, known as USMCA, will be “reevaluated” during negotiations ahead of a mandatory July review and flagged concerns, including how goods from China could enter the U.S. through Mexico and Canada. The comments come amid broader uncertainty about the pact’s future. Bloomberg News reported that President Donald Trump is privately considering withdrawing from USMCA, a deal his administration originally negotiated to replace NAFTA, though the White House called such speculation “baseless” until the president speaks publicly. USMCA, designed to eliminate most tariffs among the three countries and deepen economic ties, faces political and economic strain as U.S. trade policy shifts toward protectionism and reevaluation of longstanding agreements.

USDA Announces New Emergency Livestock Aid for Ranchers Hit by Weather Losses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week the final Emergency Livestock Relief Program, expanding payments to livestock producers disrupted by catastrophic drought, flooding and wildfires in 2023 and 2024. USDA officials said the plan aims to help ranchers recover losses and continue operations after extreme weather events strained forage supplies and forced herd reductions. The relief comes as cattle and beef markets continue to show volatility, with the national herd shrinking and prices elevated, reflecting persistent supply pressures. The relief program will provide one-time payments to eligible operations, with details on qualifying losses and application timelines expected soon. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the emergency funds complement broader administration efforts to support rural economies and agricultural resilience through targeted assistance. The announcement follows heightened calls from farm groups and lawmakers for more robust safety nets for producers facing climate-linked losses.

USDA Unveils Plan to Cut Red Tape and Legal Pressures on Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday launched the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework — a policy initiative designed to shield producers from what the department calls politically motivated legal actions and regulatory overreach. Secretary Brooke Rollins described the four-pillar plan as a cornerstone for defending agricultural heritage and providing fairness in rural America. The framework formalizes existing USDA efforts to streamline regulations, reduce compliance burdens and enhance protections for farmers and ranchers facing litigation or enforcement actions. Agricultural stakeholders welcomed the announcement, though critics argue it could weaken environmental and consumer safeguards. The policy echoes recent USDA moves to end “agricultural lawfare,” which has been discussed by advocacy groups and within USDA strategy briefings. The initiative also comes amid broader debates over farm profitability, market pressures and federal intervention in agriculture.

Farmer Protests Abroad Highlight Growing Tensions Over Global Ag Trade

Thousands of farmers and union members staged a nationwide strike in India last week to protest an interim trade agreement with the United States, fearing that expanded market access for U.S. agricultural exports could undercut local producers. The action disrupted transport and markets across multiple states as demonstrators demanded more protective safeguards for staples like rice, wheat and pulses. India’s commerce minister defended the trade pact, saying essential commodities remain shielded from tariff cuts, but farmers said the agreement still poses risks to livelihoods due to disparities in subsidies and infrastructure. The protests follow U.S. reports about trade framework negotiations and have drawn parallels with broader international debates about agricultural trade policy and farm sector vulnerability. Analysts say the dispute underscores how global trade deals can trigger domestic agricultural unrest when farmers perceive imbalanced benefits and competitive pressures.

US Announces Trade Deals with Taiwan, North Macedonia

The United States announced new trade agreements with Taiwan and North Macedonia aimed at lowering tariffs and expanding market access for U.S. agricultural and industrial goods. Under the deal with Taiwan, the island will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 99% of U.S. products, according to a fact sheet from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Tariffs will be scrapped on U.S. beef, lamb, seafood, dairy products, potatoes, vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruits. The agreement also streamlines export procedures for U.S. beef, poultry, pork and processing potatoes, the White House said, while protecting the use of common names for meats and cheeses. In a joint statement, North Macedonia said it agreed to eliminate customs duties on all U.S. industrial and agricultural goods. Taiwan currently applies an average tariff rate of nearly 17%, while North Macedonia’s average rate is close to 13%, according to the World Trade Organization. U.S. officials said the agreements are intended to strengthen trade ties and support American exporters.

Tuesday Watch List

Markets

USDA reports for Tuesday include the annual Chickens and Eggs inventory report out at 2 p.m. CST. At the same time, the ERS will release their monthly outlook report for Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry in a follow-up to last week's WASDE report.

Weather

A system out in the West will move into the Plains on Tuesday, producing strong winds and scattered showers across the north into the Upper Midwest. Some areas of heavy snow will develop near and north of the Canadian border.