FFA Says It Will Cooperate with Congressional Inquiry

The National FFA Organization said it will cooperate with a congressional inquiry examining one of its corporate sponsors, while emphasizing its nonpartisan mission and independence from donor influence. The youth agricultural education group released the following statement exclusively to the NAFB News Service: 

"The National FFA Organization is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that serves to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. While FFA accepts support from generous donors and sponsors throughout the agricultural and agri-business community, it does not and cannot advocate the views for any donor or sponsor. FFA has received a Congressional inquiry about one of our sponsors, and it intends to cooperate fully."

At question is FFA’s alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party through a partnership with Chinese-owned Syngenta Group. FFA declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The inquiry comes amid heightened scrutiny from some members of Congress over partnerships between U.S.-based nonprofits and companies with foreign ownership ties.

U.S. Elevates Agriculture as National Security Priority

The U.S. government is elevating agriculture to a core national security priority, a shift officials say reflects growing concerns about foreign ownership of farmland, supply-chain vulnerabilities and global food instability. Under a new federal strategy released this week, agriculture will be treated alongside energy and defense as a strategic sector critical to economic resilience and geopolitical stability. The plan calls for tighter scrutiny of foreign investment in U.S. farmland, stronger domestic production incentives and closer coordination between the Agriculture, Defense and Homeland Security departments. Officials said recent disruptions, including trade conflicts, extreme weather and geopolitical tensions, exposed weaknesses in food and input supply chains. Farm groups broadly welcomed the move, saying it underscores the importance of protecting domestic production capacity and rural economies. Critics cautioned that expanded oversight must be carefully targeted to avoid discouraging investment or burdening producers. Administration officials said implementation details will be rolled out in the coming months through regulatory actions and interagency coordination.

U.S. Farm Equipment Market Seen Growing Despite Weak Farm Economy

The U.S. agricultural equipment market is expected to grow steadily over the next several years, driven by demand for precision technology and automation even as many farmers face tight margins. A new industry outlook projects rising investment in GPS-guided machinery, autonomous equipment and data-driven tools designed to cut fuel, labor and input costs. Manufacturers are focusing on high-tech upgrades rather than large volume sales of traditional machinery. The forecast comes as farm income remains under pressure from lower commodity prices and higher input costs, forcing producers to weigh major capital purchases carefully. Analysts said adoption of technology that improves efficiency may continue even during downturns, particularly among larger operations. Equipment makers have scaled back production and dealer inventories following post-pandemic demand spikes. Still, long-term prospects remain positive as labor shortages and sustainability goals push farmers toward automation. Smaller producers, however, may struggle to afford newer technologies without improved profitability or expanded financing options.

U.S. Farm Numbers Decline for Second Straight Year, USDA Says

The number of farms in the United States fell by 15,000 in 2025, continuing a long-term decline in the nation’s agricultural landscape, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. According to USDA’s annual Land in Farms report, the total number of farms dropped to about 1.865 million last year, down from roughly 1.88 million in 2024. The decline spanned nearly all size and sales categories, with smaller operations — particularly those reporting $1,000 to $9,999 in annual sales — posting the largest losses, USDA data showed. Only operations with annual sales above $1 million saw a slight increase of about 50 farms. Total land in farms also edged lower, decreasing about 0.3% to 873.9 million acres, even as average farm size ticked upward, reflecting a consolidation trend. Analysts said economic pressures, including slim profit margins, rising costs and generational turnover, continue to challenge smaller producers and reshape the structure of U.S. agriculture.

USDA Forecast Shows Slower Farm Wealth Growth, Rising Debt

A new USDA forecast suggests growth in U.S. farm wealth will slow in 2026 while debt continues to climb, reflecting ongoing financial pressures in the agricultural sector. In its first Farm Income and Wealth Statistics update of the year, USDA’s Economic Research Service projects that farm assets and equity, the difference between total assets and total debt, will rise in 2026 but at the slowest pace since 2019–20. Non-real estate assets, including crop and livestock inventories, are expected to decline, even as investment in machinery and vehicles grows. Conversely, farm debt is forecast to accelerate for the third time in four years, raising concerns about solvency for many producers. Key financial ratios also point to tighter production returns relative to asset values. Economists said the outlook underscores persistent challenges facing farmers as they balance high costs and variable commodity markets heading into the 2026 production cycle.

United Soybean Board CEO Resigns Amid Internal Tensions

Lucas Lentsch has resigned as chief executive officer of the United Soybean Board, the farmer-led organization that directs checkoff funds for research and promotion, the board announced Friday. Lentsch, who had led the board since 2024, submitted his resignation effective immediately following the group’s February meeting. The board said interim leadership will be provided by Darryl Chatman, the organization’s executive vice president of compliance, as directors begin a national search for a permanent CEO. The resignation comes amid reports of internal disagreements over management authority and staffing decisions, with some board members seeking limits on executive autonomy. Sources familiar with the situation characterized a rift between Lentsch’s leadership style and the board’s expectations. The United Soybean Board oversees investments from the mandatory soybean checkoff, which funds marketing, research and education aimed at increasing demand for U.S. soybeans. The board represents farmers from more than 30 states and influences domestic and international soy markets.

Wednesday Watch List

Markets

Agricultural reports are slim on Wednesday, with a busier schedule on the macro side with delayed Building Permits and Housing Starts from November and December at 7:30 a.m. CST, followed by Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization at 8:15 a.m. CST.

Weather

A big storm system continues to wrap up across the North on Wednesday, providing a long string of rain and snow from the Canadian Prairies to the Northeast. Another storm system is moving through the West and will emerge into the Plains Wednesday night and Thursday with another band of snow across the Central Plains.