DOJ Reaches Meat Price-Fixing Settlement

The U.S. Department of Justice and six states have reached a settlement in their antitrust lawsuit against data company Agri Stats. It’s a move federal officials say could help lower meat prices for consumers. The lawsuit alleged Agri Stats’ detailed weekly pricing and sales reports enabled anti-competitive behavior within the chicken, pork, and turkey industries. Under the settlement, the company will face new limits on the data it can collect and must make information available to meat buyers such as grocery stores and restaurants, not just processors. “This Department of Justice is laser-focused on making everyday life affordable for all Americans,” said Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General. The agreement, which still requires court approval, includes participation from California, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Officials say the changes are intended to increase transparency and competition throughout the meat supply chain.

Trade Court Rules Trump Tariff Replacement Illegal

A federal trade court has ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a ten percent global tariff after the Supreme Court blocked his broader tariff plan earlier this year. Politico said the U.S. Court of International Trade found the administration’s fallback tariff strategy exceeded presidential authority under the law. The divided three-judge panel blocked the tariffs for Washington state and two companies that challenged the policy, including spice importer Burlap & Barrel and toy maker Basic Fun!. However, the ruling does not immediately halt the tariffs nationwide, meaning most importers will continue paying the duties while the case moves through appeals. Judges Mark Barnett and Claire Kelly wrote that Trump’s tariff proclamation “is invalid, and the tariffs imposed on Plaintiffs are unauthorized by law.” Trade attorney Tim Brightbill called the ruling a “decisive rejection” of the administration’s use of Section 122, though he noted the tariffs will largely remain in effect during the appeals process.

Grain Export Sales Numbers Mixed

U.S. grain export sales were mixed in the latest weekly report from the USDA. Soybean sales fell to their lowest level of the marketing year that began September 1. Soybean sales totaled just 141,900 metric tons in the week ending April 30, down 45 percent from the previous week and 51 percent below the four-week average. China was the top buyer at 66,900 metric tons, followed by Japan and Indonesia.  Corn sales reached 1.36 million metric tons, down 15 percent week-over-week, though exports jumped 28 percent to 2.06 million metric tons. Taiwan, Colombia, and South Korea were among the largest buyers. Wheat sales saw the steepest decline, plunging 65 percent to 78,800 metric tons as cancellations from unknown buyers and Indonesia offset purchases from Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico. Despite weak sales, wheat exports rose 15 percent from the prior week.

USDA Clears Path for Whole Milk in Schools

The National Milk Producers Federation praised a new USDA interim final rule expanding milk options in federal child nutrition programs, allowing schools to offer whole and 2% milk at breakfast and other federally supported meals. The rule implements key portions of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, signed into law in January, and restores milk choices removed under federal nutrition standards adopted in 2012. Under the updated policy, schools participating in the School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program may now serve whole and 2% milk alongside existing 1% and fat-free options. “Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in delivering whole and 2% milk back into schools,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “Offering whole and 2% milk in schools helps students meet recommended daily values for many essential nutrients.”

Farm Bureau Selects New Leadership Class Participants

The American Farm Bureau Federation recently announced the members of its 13th Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) class, a program designed to help agricultural leaders strengthen their advocacy and communication skills. AFBF President Zippy Duvall said strong leadership is essential as agriculture faces growing policy challenges. “Effective advocacy at the local, state, and national levels has never been more critical to advancing policies that support agriculture and strengthen rural communities,” Duvall said. The two-year program includes four intensive training modules focused on legislative policymaking, issues management, leadership development, media relations, and social media engagement. Participants gain hands-on experience designed to prepare them to advocate for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Members of PAL Class 13 represent Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Utah. To qualify, applicants must be Farm Bureau members between the ages of 30 and 45 with demonstrated leadership abilities. Program co-sponsors include Farm Credit, Syngenta, John Deere, and Merck Animal Health.

EPA Grant for Farmer-Led Conservation on Working Lands

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of America Division has announced up to $50 million in new grant funding aimed at improving water quality, habitat restoration, environmental resilience, and environmental education across America’s working lands. The funding is part of the Farmer-to-Farmer grant program, which supports farmer-led and farm-focused organizations operating within the Gulf of America watershed. The agency expects to award 20 to 30 grants, with individual awards ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, each supporting five-year projects. The program focuses on helping farmers reduce nutrient nonpoint source pollution while sharing and scaling innovative conservation practices. It also emphasizes data collection and farmer-to-farmer engagement to test and validate regenerative approaches in real-world agricultural settings. “Farmers are among our nation’s most effective stewards of the land and conservators of our natural resources,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Kevin McOmber.

Monday Watch List

Markets

USDA will release their weekly export inspections report at 10 a.m. CDT for the week ending May 7. After the close, USDA will release the weekly Crop Progress report at 3 p.m. CDT, updating planting progress and winter wheat condition across the U.S.

Weather

A small disturbance is pushing into the Gulf of America Monday morning, though showers will still develop near the Gulf and Southeast throughout the day. Another system is moving through the Canadian Prairies with showers into the Northern Plains. Breezy winds will also be felt across the north, which will bring in some warmer temperatures to northern areas as well.