H-2A Certifications Up 17 Percent So Far in 2026

The H-2A temporary agricultural worker program continues to grow rapidly, with the Labor Department certifying 17 percent more jobs during the first half of fiscal 2026 compared to a year earlier. The program allows U.S. growers to hire foreign workers for seasonal farm labor, helping producers fill critical labor shortages while providing workers with higher wages than they could typically earn in their home countries. Former American Farm Bureau Economist Samantha Ayoub reported in January that “the H-2A program continues to grow, with 13,358 more positions certified in fiscal year 2025 than fiscal year 2024. This marks the first year in program history that over 400,000 workers were requested, highlighting the continued domestic labor shortages American farmers and ranchers face.” These are positions that arise from a proven lack of domestic interest in the seasonal jobs. The H-2A program has grown 185 percent in the last ten years.

States Imposing Livestock Movement Restrictions Because of NWS

States across the country are tightening livestock movement rules as concerns grow over the spread of New World screwworm. Federal authorities have confirmed 12 cases of the parasite since June 3, with all but one detected in Texas. In response, several states are increasing surveillance and imposing new restrictions on animal imports from affected areas. Pennsylvania issued a quarantine order requiring additional inspections and health certifications for susceptible animals entering the state. "Pennsylvania has no confirmed cases of New World Screwworm, but this destructive pest poses a serious threat to our livestock industry, companion animals, wildlife, and agricultural economy," said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. Farm and Dairy said West Virginia, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota have also adopted stricter entry requirements for livestock. Agriculture officials say enhanced biosecurity and movement controls are critical to preventing the parasite from spreading into additional livestock-producing regions.

Senators Want More Action Against NWS

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging the USDA to take additional steps to contain the growing New World Screwworm outbreak in the U.S. The lawmakers, led by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, sent a letter to USDA expressing concern about the threat the parasite poses to livestock, wildlife, pets, and rural economies. According to the senators, USDA has confirmed 12 active cases of New World Screwworm since early June. "We urge the USDA to take further immediate action to contain and respond to this emergency," the senators wrote. The lawmakers acknowledged USDA's ongoing response efforts, including increased surveillance, sterile fly releases, and coordination with state animal health officials. However, they said the evolving situation requires additional action to prevent further spread. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin joined 16 other senators in signing the letter. USDA officials continue to stress that the nation's food supply remains safe despite the outbreak.

Export Inspections of Corn Decline

U.S. corn export inspections slowed last week, while soybean and wheat assessments moved higher, according to the latest USDA report. USDA says 1.64 million metric tons of corn were inspected for export during the week ending June 11, down from just over two million tons the previous week and slightly below the volume inspected during the same week last year. Soybean inspections improved to 522,687 metric tons, up from 412,122 tons the week before and more than double the amount inspected during the same period last year. Wheat export inspections also edged higher to 334,292 metric tons. Despite the weekly decline, corn exports remain well ahead of last year's pace. Since the start of the marketing year, USDA has inspected 65.6 million metric tons of corn for overseas shipment, compared to 52.1 million tons during the same period a year ago. Soybean and wheat export inspections continue to trail year-ago levels.

Iowa Pseudorabies Outbreak Successfully Contained

Iowa livestock officials say a recent Pseudorabies outbreak has been successfully contained and eradicated. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the state has completed the response protocol required by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service after the virus was detected in a small commercial swine facility in April. A second round of testing found no additional cases, confirming the virus did not spread beyond the affected operation. Fewer than ten swine facilities had remained under quarantine during the response. All have now tested negative and been released, allowing producers to resume normal animal movements. "Thanks to a strong, coordinated effort, this situation has been resolved, and we were able to successfully contain and eradicate the Pseudorabies virus from Iowa," Naig said. The successful response allows Iowa and the United States to maintain their Pseudorabies-free status for trade purposes. Officials emphasized that Pseudorabies does not pose a risk to human health or food safety.

El Niño Officially Here

Forecasters are reminding farmers and ranchers that no two El Niño weather patterns are exactly alike, but the climate phenomenon often brings important impacts for U.S. agriculture. El Niño typically reaches its peak strength during the winter months and can alter weather patterns across much of the country. During a typical El Niño winter, the jet stream shifts south, increasing the chances for wetter and stormier conditions across the southern U.S. while bringing warmer-than-normal temperatures to much of the northern tier. "Every El Niño is not the same; each one is unique with its own imprint on our weather," said Ken Graham, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. Meteorologists say El Niño can also suppress hurricane activity in the Atlantic while increasing tropical development in parts of the Pacific. For agriculture, the biggest concern remains its influence on precipitation patterns, soil moisture, and crop-growing conditions heading into the next production season.

Wednesday Watch List

Markets

On Wednesday, the Energy Information Administration will release the weekly Petroleum Status report at 9:30 a.m. CDT, including last week's ethanol production. At 1 p.m., the Federal Reserve will announce their latest interest rate decision which will be followed by a press conference with new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.

Weather

A system is moving into the Midwest for Wednesday and has a good chance of spreading severe storms across the region throughout the day. The primary area for severe storms is from Missouri through Indiana, but adjacent areas of the Midwest could see some severe weather, too. In addition, a tropical low-pressure center along the central Texas coastline may become named later Wednesday. But even if it doesn't, it will be producing heavy rain near the coast as well.