The Trump administration says there won’t be a crackdown on pesticide use in the U.S. Politico says that’s despite a report from the Make America Healthy Again Committee that called crop protection products dangerous to people’s health. During a recent policy roundtable in Washington, D.C., seven out of the ten speakers mentioned how important pesticides and fertilizers are in modern agricultural production systems. Agriculture industry lobbyists have been pushing back against the Make America Healthy Again Committee report, which linked pesticides to cancer and other diseases. A White House official, speaking anonymously to Politico, says a plan for acting on that report is due in August and won’t include new policies on pesticide use. The promise may signal the White House is eager to smooth out trouble spots with farmers and farm groups that have typically supported the administration but felt alienated by plans to overhaul the nation’s food supply.
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Friday, July 18, 2025
Corn Growers Want MAHA Intervention
The National Corn Growers Association sent a letter to the White House asking President Trump to intervene as the Make America Healthy Again Commission prepares to release policy recommendations that question the safety of pesticides that have already been approved by the EPA. “Our alarm stems from the initial assessment, which raised pesticide safety questions that have already been answered repeatedly over the decades by research and regulatory agencies,” the letter said. “If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices for consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public.” The letter says if the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop yields could decrease by more than 70 percent due to pests, weeds, and disease. Every pesticide approved for use must submit dozens, if not hundreds, of test results for EPA review.
Julie Callahan Nominated for Chief Ag Negotiator Position
Julie Callahan, the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, is President Trump’s nominee for the role of Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Callahan has been with the agency since 2016, serving as senior director for agricultural affairs before being promoted to the deputy USTR position in 2020. The President has now nominated people to serve in all USTR deputy roles. The U.S. Grains Council appreciates the President for working quickly to nominate the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for this critical job. “The U.S. Grains Council and I, personally, have worked with Julie for many years, and I know, once she’s approved, she will have the producers and agribusinesses top of mind as she conducts her work with trading partners around the world,” said Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. Among her previous work experiences, Callahan held senior leadership with the Food and Drug Administration.
Farmers Union Testifies on Credit and Risk Management
Montana Farmers Union member John Wicks testified before the House Ag Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit. His testimony detailed the importance of credit and risk management for family farmers. “While access to affordable and reliable credit and well-functioning risk management tools are important for family farmers, we must have fair and competitive markets and a robust farm safety net,” Wicks said during his testimony. “Recent changes to improve the farm safety net may help alleviate some challenges with persistently high input costs and low commodity prices, but farmers still face major economic stress as long as corporate monopolies in agriculture remain unchecked, as they are today.” Wicks made recommendations to improve the Farm Service Agency’s loan program, including increasing loan limits to reflect the current economic environment, making it more feasible to restructure debt, and ensuring the programs meet the unique needs of all producers.
U.S. Dairy Biogas Systems Have Doubled Since 2020
Coming off June Dairy Month, the American Biogas Council released new data on the continued growth of dairy-based biogas systems in the U.S. According to the Council, the number of operational dairy biogas systems has more than doubled since 2020, with more than $53 billion invested in renewable energy and methane capture infrastructure. As of June 2025, 471 dairy biogas systems are in operation. Collectively, they capture over 144,000 cubic feet per minute of biogas. That total is the equivalent of powering approximately 615,000 homes annually. While the systems reduce methane emissions and create renewable energy, they also recycle the manure from about 2.3 million cows, producing natural fertilizer and animal bedding while reducing odors. That’s about 15 billion gallons of manure put to beneficial use every year. They also eliminate almost one million tons of methane emissions each year. Also, an estimated 2,980 additional dairies are still eligible for biogas development.
Summer Lambventures Grill-Off Returns for 2025
The American Lamb Board has officially announced the return of the popular campaign called the Summer Lambventures Grill-Off for 2025. This year’s initiative aims to enhance consumer engagement by introducing a competitive twist that features both amateur and professional hosts. The campaign ran from May 19 to July 6, and a public voting period continues on until August 29, 2025. Nine amateur hosts from three distinct lifestyle categories, including Patio Party Planners, Fit Foodies, and Outdoor Adventurers, will organize grilling parties centered around American Lamb. The public will have an opportunity to vote for both their favorite Pro and Amateur Host parties. The campaign is intended to solidify American Lamb’s position as the go-to protein for summer gatherings in 2025. “Building on the success of last year, the Lambventures Grill-Off is set to be an epic event that will help ALB reach several strategic goals,” said ALB Chair Jeff Ebert.
Friday Watch List
Markets
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report at 2:30 p.m. CDT
Weather
Several features will combine to produce widespread showers and thunderstorms on Friday. A small disturbance in the northern Gulf will keep showers going near the coast. A stalled front will produce showers from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic, while a system moving through the Northern Plains will move into the Upper Midwest with showers and storms of its own. This last system has the best chance to produce severe weather.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
New USDA Plan Will Boost Meat and Poultry Safety
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new comprehensive plan to boost USDA’s efforts to combat foodborne illness. She spoke during the opening of USDA’s new, modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory. The Plan will better position USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, which is responsible for ensuring meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled, to protect the nation’s food supply. The Plan includes steps like enhancing microbiological testing and inspection oversight. USDA will also equip FSIS Inspectors with updated training and tools, empower those inspectors to take action to drive compliance, strengthen state partnerships, and find a more effective and achievable approach to address salmonella in poultry products. “We’re charting a new course in giving consumers confidence that their meat, poultry, and egg products meet the best-in-class food safety standards,” Rollins said. “I look forward to continued collaboration with states and food producers to protect public health.”
Poultry Producers Respond to USDA Food Safety Plan
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new plan to boost her agency’s efforts to combat foodborne illness. “America’s chicken producers appreciate USDA’s common sense and science-based approach to achieving improvements in food safety,” said Dr. Ashley Peterson, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. “We share the department’s goals to further reduce foodborne illnesses and promote public health, with an emphasis on reducing regulatory burdens.” NCC also applauded USDA for withdrawing earlier this year the proposed Salmonella regulations that were introduced by the Biden administration. “As it was proposed based on misinterpretation of the science, it would have had no meaningful impact on public health, would have led to an extraordinary amount of food waste, and increased costs for consumers and producers,” Peterson added. “We thank the Secretary for her leadership and the agency’s commitment to finding a more effective and achievable plan to combat salmonella in U.S. poultry products.”
USTR Announces Section 301 Investigation of Brazil
The Office of the United States Trade Representative initiated an investigation of Brazil under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Office will seek to determine whether the acts, policies, and practices of Brazil’s government related to things like preferential tariffs, ethanol market access, and several other factors are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. The U.S. Grains Council appreciates that USTR is taking this step. “The Council is encouraged by the news of the investigation into Brazil that has for years placed unfair tariffs on American ethanol imports,” said USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “Finally, we may see U.S. ethanol, its farmers, and producers get a fair shake when it comes to access in Brazil.” The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office has detailed Brazil’s unfair trade practices in its annual National Trade Estimate Report(Link is external). “Brazil’s barriers to trade merit a thorough investigation,” said USTR Jamieson Greer.
U.S. Corn Export Sales Forecast at Record Levels
The USDA’s Economic Research Service says U.S. corn export sales have continued at a rapid pace and support a 100 million bushel month-to-month increase for the 2024-2025 marketing year. That raises the forecast to a record-high 2.75 billion bushels. If that number is realized, 2024-2025 corn exports will exceed the 2023-2024 estimate by nearly 500 million bushels, or 22 percent. The ERS says that through 300 days of the marketing year, export sales are nearly on pace to match the previously record-setting level realized in the 2020-2021 marketing year. Elevated exports are supported by sizable growth in corn shipments to South Korea, Mexico, and Spain. What’s even more surprising is that U.S. corn exports have surged without significant demand from China. In 2020-2021, shipments to China made up almost 31 percent of U.S. corn exports. This year, shipments to China make up less than one percent of total exports through May 2025.
Farmland Prices Holding Steady
Farmers National Company says that despite ongoing challenges in commodity markets and uncertain farm profitability, agricultural land values remained surprisingly stable through mid-2025. While producers remain the main buyers of ag land, interest from individual and institutional investors can’t be ignored. As land values stabilize after reaching peaks during the past five years, investors are increasingly attracted by both annual returns and long-term appreciation. Inventory remains limited, with listings down 20-25 percent from the peak in 2020-2021. “The USDA forecasts 2025 net farm income to be the lowest since 2020,” says Paul Shadegg, senior vice president of real estate. “This will influence producer purchasing power and investor returns, especially as input costs, commodity prices, and interest rates fluctuate.” He also says any negative movement in the ag economy could quickly impact the land market. Geopolitical developments like trade policies, tariffs, and global unrest can also create uncertainty in domestic and international markets.
Bankers Release Report on U.S. Farm Banks
The American Bankers Association released its annual Farm Bank Performance Report(Link is external), highlighting the critical role farm banks played in supporting U.S. agriculture in 2024. Despite continued challenges from global uncertainty and lingering supply chain disruptions, farm banks posted solid financial performance, improved asset quality, and increased lending to America’s farmers and ranchers. The U.S. banking industry remains the single largest provider of agricultural credit, holding $205 billion in farm loans by the end of 2024, accounting for nearly 38 percent of total farm lending nationwide. Of that, farm banks held $115 billion, with a focus on small microloans critical to rural producers. “Farm banks continue to be a cornerstone of rural America’s financial well-being,” said Ed Elfmann, ABA’s senior vice president of agricultural and rural banking policy. “In 2024, these institutions demonstrated the strength and resiliency that comes from deep community roots and a commitment to farmers and ranchers,” he added.
Thursday Watch List
Markets
Weekly Export Sales at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Initial Jobless Claims at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Import Price Index at 7:30 a.m. CDT
U.S. Retail Sales at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Weekly Slaughter at 2 p.m. CDT
Weather
A front that has been slowly pushing southward this week is somewhat stalling from the Central Plains through the Ohio Valley on Thursday, bringing multiple periods of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. Some of that could be severe. A new system will move into the Northern Plains late Thursday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms there as well. A small disturbance will also bring heavy rain to Louisiana Thursday.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Farm Bankruptcies Already Exceed Last Year
More U.S. farms filed for bankruptcy in the first three months of 2025 than during the entire 2024 calendar year. That’s according to new research from University of Arkansas Extension Economist Ryan Loy. The information shows that the 259 filings in the first three months of 2025 are the most in any year since 2021. “We’ve already beaten last year in terms of national filings just in the first three months of this year,” Loy said. “Once you see this on a national level, it’s a clear sign that financial pressures that we saw before in 2018 and 2019 are reemerging.” A large part of the pressure comes from the fact that commodity prices are back where they were in the 2018-2019 era. Adding to that pressure are high input costs for seed, fertilizer, pest management tools, and diesel that never seem to decline much or for a long period.
USDA Blocks Additional Sugar Imports
The USDA announced there will be no additional imports of specialty sugars beyond what U.S. international obligations dictate. “Production agriculture has seen devastating impacts from natural disasters, Biden-era policies, and extraordinary increases to the cost of production,” said Stephen Vaden, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. “Worse, a trade landscape that, over the last four years, favored foreign competitors over America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers, led to what is projected to be the largest agricultural trade deficit on record.” He also said that although sugar policy is uniquely designed to protect sugar farmers from the dumping of heavily subsidized foreign sugar, those farmers are not immune to the same distress facing other agricultural producers. “Over the last 20 years, sugar imports have more than doubled and producers have lost 15 percent of the U.S. sugar market to imports, leading to closures of mills and processors,” Vaden added. “This decision begins righting the ship.”
Export Inspections Down Across the Board
Inspections of corn, beans, and wheat for offshore delivery all declined week over week. Corn assessments in the seven days that ended on July 10 totaled 1.29 million metric tons. That’s down from 1.56 million tons the previous week, but still ahead of the 1.1 million tons inspected during the same week a year ago. Soybean inspections totaled 147,045 tons, down from almost 400,000 tons the prior week and 175,300 tons at the same point last year. Wheat examinations for export dropped to 439,533 metric tons from more than 522,000 tons the previous week and 622,300 tons a year earlier. Since the start of the marketing year, the USDA has inspected 57.8 million metric tons of corn, 46.4 million tons of soybeans, and wheat inspections since June 1 are now at 2.28 million metric tons. Corn and soybean inspection totals are higher, and the wheat total is lower than last year.
USDA’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program Signup Now Open
Agricultural producers and private landowners can now enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program. The signup runs from now until August 8, 2025. Grassland CRP, offered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices. Grassland CRP emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity, and grasslands and land with shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion. “Through the conservation of America’s essential grasslands, Grassland CRP supports continued agricultural productivity while, at the same time, prioritizing private lands stewardship,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “By offering landowners the best of both worlds – economic viability and working lands preservation – Grassland CRP provisions support USDA’s commitment to Farmers First. Farmers and landowners should contact their local USDA Service Center to sign up. CRP, USDA’s flagship conservation program, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Veterinarians Head to Capitol Hill
Hundreds of veterinary professionals will meet with senators, representatives, and their staffs on Thursday, July 17, to advocate for legislation that will help address the emerging threat of illicit xylazine (ZY-lah-zeen) while preserving access to the animal sedative. They’ll also be discussing ways to boost the retention of veterinarians in rural and underserved communities. As part of the legislative fly-in, more than 340 advocates representing 50 states and 37 veterinary schools will urge congressional support for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act and the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. The AVMA-backed Combating Illicit Xylazine Act can help to preserve the availability of this prescription animal drug for its critical uses in veterinary medicine as a controlled drug and allow the DEA transparency into the legitimate drug marketplace. The AVMA also endorses the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, which would eliminate federal taxes on awards from the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, making it easier to participate.
U.S. Withdraws from Tomato Suspension Agreement
The U.S. Commerce Department announced it is withdrawing from and terminating the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Duty Investigation of Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico. Now that the 2019 Agreement is terminated, Commerce is issuing an antidumping duty order, resulting in duties of 17 percent on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico. Antidumping duties are calculated to measure the percentage by which Mexican tomatoes have been sold in the U.S. at unfair prices. “Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “That ends today.” Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance Unit within the International Trade Administration is responsible for rigorously enforcing U.S. trade laws. Commerce currently maintains 768 antidumping and countervailing duty orders, which provide relief to American companies and workers who have been impacted by unfair trade practices.
Wednesday Watch List
Markets
U.S. Producer Price Index at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Industrial production and capacity utilization at 8:15 a.m. CDT
EIA Petroleum Status Report including weekly ethanol production at 9:30 a.m. CDT
Weather
A front continues to push slowly southward into the Central Plains and Midwest on Wednesday, producing widespread areas of showers and thunderstorms. Some heavy rain and severe weather will be possible near the front. Colder temperatures are filtering in behind the front while it stays hot and humid ahead of it. That could lead to some isolated showers for the southeastern quadrant of the country throughout the day. We will also be watching the northern Gulf of America as a disturbance could take on some tropical characteristics Wednesday or Thursday.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Trump Threatens Mexico, EU with 30 Percent Tariff
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump threatened to put a 30 percent tariff on imported goods from Mexico and Europe beginning on August 1, 2025. The move comes after weeks of negotiations that have not concluded in a comprehensive trade deal. The President announced the threats in separate letters to Mexican and EU leaders. Those letters were posted on his Truth Social media site on Saturday. Reuters said the EU and Mexico are among the largest trading partners for the U.S. and responded by calling the tariffs unfair and disruptive while pledging to continue to negotiate with the U.S. for a broader trade deal before the deadline. The effect on U.S. agriculture could be significant. U.S. Department of Agriculture data says Mexico made up 69 percent of America’s vegetable imports and 51 percent of fresh fruit imports. With short shelf lives, produce could see price hikes faster than other goods.
Mexico Aiming for SAF Production by 2030
Mexico intends to produce its own sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. Julio Diaz Cruz of the National Chamber of Air Transport says success will depend on industry stakeholders collaborating effectively. Cruz said Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency is leading the development of a National SAF Roadmap. The document, expected by the end of this year, will outline key actions, including research and development, economic incentives, and other important factors. A study published last year estimated that Mexico would need approximately $49 billion in U.S. investments between 2025 and 2050 to develop at least one SAF production facility. Mexico Business News said the project will require an additional $204 billion in regional investments from countries like Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. However, it will only be successful with economic incentives instead of mandates. David Ortiz of Aeromexico says Europe is using incentives instead of mandates, and they’re proving difficult to implement.
Biofuel Producers to Use a Lot of U.S. Soybean Oil Production
American biofuel manufacturers will use over half of all the soybean oil produced in the U.S. next year. Agriculture Dot Com says a recent series of policy moves at the federal level have transformed the sector, including higher blending mandates and curbs on foreign biofuel imports and feedstocks. In its monthly supply and demand report, the USDA sharply raised its outlook for soybean oil use by biofuel producers in the 2025-2026 marketing year to a record 15.5 billion pounds, up 11.5 percent from last month. American soy oil exports were predicted to drop to 700 million pounds as more oil is consumed domestically, down from 2.6 billion pounds in the current season. The Environmental Protection Agency significantly raised blending mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard and proposed to cut the number of Renewable Identification Numbers generated for imported renewable fuels and renewable fuels produced from foreign feedstocks beginning in 2026.
Future Ag Leaders Explore Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The 2025 New Century Farmer Conference will take place July 20-24 in Indianapolis, Indiana, bringing together 50 elite FFA alumni from 22 states to advance their leadership and career skills. It was a unique opportunity to learn about working in the agriculture industry from several different experts. Nearly a third of the participants are first-generation producers, with the majority of them being interested in farm ownership or entrepreneurship as potential career paths. “There’s something powerful that happens when our New Century Farmers from across the country come together to learn about agriculture from people who live and breathe it every day,” said Emma Mendez, National FFA Program Manager of Alumni and Supporters. “These connections spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to the future. It’s not just about learning but about being a part of something bigger.” As a part of the conference, participants will visit two local farms.
Trade Mission Underway in the Dominican Republic
Michelle Bekkering, deputy undersecretary for trade and foreign agriculture affairs at the USDA, arrived in the Dominican Republic on Monday to lead an agribusiness trade mission to expand market access and boost U.S. agricultural exports. The delegation includes 47 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and representatives from three state departments of agriculture. “This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers, tapping into Latin America’s growing demand for high-quality American agricultural products, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agriculture globally competitive,” Bekkering said. The Dominican Republic is a prime opportunity for U.S. producers, with an expanding middle class, steady economic growth, and a growing hotel and restaurant industry. It’s the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural products in the Western Hemisphere. Consumer-oriented products continue to drive this growth, with increasing demand for fresh fruit, dairy products, as well as wine and distilled spirits. The U.S. supplies 44 percent of the country’s agricultural imports.
Farm Bureau Extends Top Dog Registration Deadline
Farmers have until July 25 to submit nominations for the 2026 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. It’s the eighth year of the contest that celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers. The grand prize winner gets a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year awards ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, in January 2026. “Farm dogs play an important role on the farm or ranch and hold a special place in our hearts,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “They show up every day without complaint and are eager to pitch in.” Farm Dog of the Year nominations, which include written responses to questions, must be received by July 25 for consideration.
Tuesday Watch List
Markets
U.S. Consumer Price Index at 7:30 a.m. CDT
USDA ERS Various Commodity Outlooks at 2 p.m. CDT
Weather
A strong front is pushing through the Northern Plains early Tuesday morning. Widespread areas of showers and thunderstorms are found along that front, which will continue to build throughout the day as the front drops south through more of the North-Central U.S. Areas of heavy rain and severe weather will be possible. Other isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop arcing from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic and areas to the south.
Monday, July 14, 2025
USDA Slightly Lowers Corn Production, Boosts Old-Crop Corn Exports to Record Level
In Friday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, USDA pegged 2025/2026 corn and wheat ending stocks lower month-over-month and lower than the average trade expectation, while soybean ending stocks were increased month-over-month more than the average expectation. Old-crop corn exports were increased 100 million bushels to 2.75 billion bushels. The 2025-26 production was lowered by 115 million bushels to 15.7 billion bushels. Corn planted acres were lowered 100,000 acres to 95.2 million acres, matching the June 30 crop report. Harvested acres are projected at 86.8 million, down 600,000 acres from June. USDA integrated its 83.4-million-acre soybean planting estimate into its supply and demand forecast, resulting in a 5-million-bushel decline in production to 4.335 mb. The forecast for 2025-26 soybean ending stocks increased by 15 mb to 310 mb, within the range of pre-report expectations. Along with lower production, USDA increased its crush forecast by 50 mb to 2.54 mb while cutting exports by 70 mb.
Trump Says He’ll Hike Existing Canada Tariffs, Slams Dairy Market Access
President Donald Trump said late last week that Canada will face higher duties for some products beginning next month due to the Canadian government’s decision to retaliate against U.S. duties applied earlier this year. He also took the opportunity to reiterate his call for greater market access for U.S. dairy producers. From Aug. 1, Canadian products not covered by the USMCA will face a 35% tariff, up from the existing 25%. Energy products and potash will still face the reduced 10% rate. Trump also took aim at what has become one of his top peeves with the U.S.’s northern neighbors: high out-of-quota tariffs on dairy products. U.S. dairy producers have long complained that Canada’s allocation of its tariff-rate quotas for dairy products disincentivizes purchases of U.S. products, leaving their quotas unfilled. Dairy producers in New Zealand have raised similar gripes with Ottawa, and the issue has been the subject of challenges under the USMCA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership dispute resolution mechanisms.
National FFA Next Gen Conference in Philadelphia Welcomed Students from Across the Country
The National FFA Organization, the nation’s premier school-based student leadership organization with over one million members, recently hosted its second Next Gen Conference of the year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from June 24-28. Next Gen Conferences provide FFA student members with a look into career opportunities within the industry of agriculture. The June conference brought together 73 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to learn more about the value of agricultural education through career exploration sessions, industry roundtables, and tours. Each tour stop was carefully planned to provide a learning experience for the student attendees, one of which was the Milton Hershey School, founded by chocolatier Milton Hershey and his wife. Each student who attends Milton Hershey School graduates with at least one industry-related certification through the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program. The school also boasts agricultural-related programming such as The Animal Center, The Horticulture Center, The Environmental Center, and The Ag Operations Center, collectively allowing students to learn about the different aspects of agriculture.
Report: Shrinking Labor Force Poised to Threaten US Economic Growth
Declining labor force participation, lower birth rates and a collapse in net migration are combining to squeeze the U.S. labor supply. The looming labor shortage could begin to weigh on businesses and strain economic growth as soon as later this year, according to a new quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. With the labor supply about to get tighter, businesses and industries operating in rural America should be increasing their focus on technology to overcome labor availability challenges. The labor force participation rate has trended downward since 2000, and the trend may be accelerating. Nearly 2.5 million working-aged people dropped out of the labor force in the past eight months alone. The U.S. fertility rate has plummeted since the Great Financial Crisis in 2008, reducing the number of native-born citizens entering the workforce. The loss of those new workers coincides with baby boom generation retirements, amplifying the impact on the overall labor supply.
USDA Ends Programs, Policies Supporting 'Socially Disadvantaged' Farmers and Ranchers
The Department of Agriculture will no longer recognize race- or gender-based criteria when it comes to farm programs, dropping the "socially disadvantaged" designation despite the provision still being in federal law. USDA published a final rule Thursday in the Federal Register announcing the "Removal of Unconstitutional Preferences Based on Race and Sex in Response to Court Ruling." The rule is effective immediately. The rule will affect about 20% of USDA's total farm-loan volume and affect loans and programs for roughly 4.5% of ethnic producers and more than 1.2 million women farmers. The rule also will remove any special incentives for loans and conservation programs. The rule follows two presidential executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity." The Trump administration has been focused on removing any funding tied to "diversity, equity or inclusion," or DEI initiatives.
Study Finds That Drought Can Add Two Days to Heat Wave Duration
A recent study finds that drought can lengthen heat waves if these two features occur at the same time. This connection is familiar to anyone who has labored through a blistering hot day during a dry spell; however, the quantifying of this drought-heat wave relationship is noteworthy, nonetheless. A NOAA/NIDIS news release on this project stated that "researchers examined the influence of drought on heat wave intensity, duration, and human exposure to extreme heat using air temperature, soil moisture, and soil temperature observations from across the country." Research team members found that drought increased the average duration of heat waves by 13 to 48 hours at most of the weather stations included in the study. Nationally, heat waves during drought had an average of about nine more hours of extreme heat compared to heat waves that occur in non-drought conditions. Research results were recently published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology.
Monday Watch List
Markets
Export Inspections at 10 a.m. CDT
ERS Season Average Price Forecasts at 1 p.m. CDT
ERS Wheat Data at 1 p.m. CDT
Weekly Crop Progress at 3 p.m. CDT
Weather
Isolated to scattered showers continue from the Southern Plains through the Northeast and all areas south on Monday due to a lot of leftover features that are milling about the area as well as some heat and humidity. A front is swinging south through the Canadian Prairies and will get into the Northern Plains Monday night, being a focal point for showers and thunderstorms as well.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Rollins Shuts Down Southern Ports Again
A new case of New World screwworm appeared this week, only 160 miles from the Mexico-U.S. border. USDA had previously announced a risk-based phased-in port reopening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico that began on July 7. The new case raises significant concerns in the U.S. and compromises the outlined port reopening schedule for five ports in the southern U.S. In order to protect American livestock and the nation’s food supply, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately. “The U.S. promised to be vigilant, and after detecting the new case, we are pausing the planned port reopenings to further quarantine and target this deadly pest in Mexico,” Rollins said. “We must see progress in multiple Mexican states in order to reopen livestock ports along the southern border.” Aggressive USDA staff monitoring allowed the U.S. to take quick action.
NCBA Applauds Quick Closure of Southern Ports
The USDA is again closing southern ports of entry to shipments of cattle due to the detection of New World screwworm in Veracruz (VEHR-ah-cruise), Mexico. USDA discovered the new case in Veracruz, indicating that the screwworm has traveled 160 miles northward of the location where sterile flies are currently being dropped. “The New World screwworm’s northern movement jeopardizes the safety of American agriculture, which is why Secretary Rollins paused cattle movement again until we can push the pest further from the southern U.S. border,” said NCBA CEO Collin Woodall. “Unfortunately, screwworm continues moving north through Mexico, and it’s clear that the U.S. needs a sterile fly facility of our own here at home.” He also said America can’t afford to wait any longer and strongly urged USDA to immediately begin work on a sterile fly facility. Moore Air Base in Texas will be the site of a new sterile fly facility.
Consumer Watchdog Group Applauds Suit Against California Over Egg Costs
The Center for the Environment and Welfare applauded the Trump administration’s lawsuit filed this week to nullify onerous California regulations driving up food prices nationwide. The filing takes aim at three California laws, including Proposition 12, dictating farming practices for eggs and pork. In practice, Prop 12 forces farmers around the country to adopt California’s radical production standards while prohibiting veterinarian-approved animal husbandry practices. The Center says the three laws were pushed by radical animal activists who don’t believe people should eat eggs or pork at all. “It’s great to see the administration taking decisive action to protect the country from California’s overreaching policies, but Americans facing high food costs can’t afford to wait for years of court appeals,” says Jack Hubbard, the CEW’s executive director. “Polls show California voters now regret the passage of Proposition 12, and there is strong bipartisan support for Congressional legislation to nullify the farm mandates.”
Illegal Pesticide Smuggling Surging in Europe
The cost of spraying crops with pesticides is continuing to get more expensive across the European Union. Farmers in countries like Greece are finding cheaper alternatives in unlabeled bottles smuggled into the country. Reuters says a dozen farmers quoted anonymously say the products are more effective than what they regularly use. However, they’re also potentially more harmful. Laboratory tests show the bottles contain pesticides banned in the EU for several years due to suspected risks to humans and the environment. The pesticide smuggling in Greece is showing up in other areas across the European Union. EU authorities say the use of banned and counterfeit pesticides is higher than ever. This comes as the EU is looking to reduce the use of even permitted crop protection products as part of its green transition. At least 14 percent of pesticides used in EU fields are illegal, up from about 10 percent in 2015.
Food Spending Increases from 2023-2024
USDA says per capita total U.S. food spending increased 3.2 percent from 2023 to 2024, slightly outpacing the 2.3 percent increase in food prices during the same period. That showed a stronger demand for food despite higher prices. However, national trends in sales mask uneven growth across multiple U.S. states. Three states showed a decrease in per capita food sales, with New Hampshire dropping the most at two percent in 2024. This was driven by a 6.6 percent increase in sales at grocery stores, supercenters, and other food-at-home stores. West Virginia and Kansas were the only other states where total per capita food sales declined, dropping by one percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Per capita food sales increased the most in Washington, D.C., rising ten percent, and were driven by food away from home sales. Other states with high growth included New York at 5.9 percent and California at 5.5 percent.
Vaden Sworn In as New Deputy Secretary at USDA
This week, Judge Stephen Vaden was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the USDA. Vaden, a native of Tennessee, joins Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to not only deliver on the administration’s promises but also to execute the agriculture and nutrition policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill. “I am so excited to welcome Deputy Secretary Vaden to the USDA team,” said Secretary Rollins. “His policy and legal acumen will be a tremendous asset to the Department, and I look forward to his partnership as we continue to revitalize rural America and make certain our farmers continue providing the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food supply in the world’s history.” Vaden thanks President Trump and Secretary Rollins for their trust in him to support the incredible men and women of American agriculture. “I look forward to getting to work to support the Secretary in Making Agriculture Great Again,” said Vaden.
Friday Watch List
Markets
July NASS Crop Production Report at 11 a.m. CDT
July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Report at 11 a.m. CDT
World Markets and Trade Reports from FAS at 11:15 a.m.
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report at 2:30 p.m. CDT
Weather
Heavy rain that moved through on Thursday across Iowa and northern Illinois continues early Friday morning, but a system moving through the Northern Plains should enhance that later Friday, including bringing a risk of severe weather. Additional showers and thunderstorms will continue in the South and East as well.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Farmers for Free Trade Sounding Economic Alarm Regarding Tariffs
All summer, Farmers for Free Trade has been on the road and holding events called Tariff Town Halls in half a dozen states. The events all brought together farmers, business leaders, economists, and trade experts to spotlight how newly-imposed tariffs are already harming the communities that grow and make American-made products that power local economies and are in demand around the world. At each stop, farmers and experts shared new data, on-the-ground stories, and growing urgency. Just days before the Fourth of July, agricultural leaders at a town hall in Little Rock, Arkansas put it bluntly: “I’ll tell you this much as a producer. Between 20 and 30 percent of the producers in the United States would be out if this doesn’t change between now and December.” On a per-state basis, Texas businesses paid $934 million more in tariff costs. North Carolina also saw a 190 percent spike in its tariff costs.
June Missouri River Runoff Much Below Average
June runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 3.3 million acre-feet, 60 percent of the average. The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City is below average. Mountain snowpack melted more rapidly than normal, and all reaches except the Sioux City reach experienced below normal precipitation during June,” said John Remus of the Army Corps of Engineers. “The June runoff was less than forecast, and dry conditions will continue in July.” The June 2025 runoff forecast above Sioux City is 19.1 million acre-feet, 74 percent of the average and slightly lower than last month’s forecast. System storage on July 1 was 52.1 million acre-feet, four million below the top of the carryover multiple-use zone. The monthly study indicates that the winter release from Gavins Point will likely be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cubic feet per second.
Groups Want a New Chief Agricultural Negotiator
Over 40 U.S. agricultural groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to President Trump asking him to quickly nominate a Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the USTR Office. The groups said the nomination is critical to prioritizing the needs of American agriculture amid the ongoing reciprocal trade negotiations. “The chief agricultural negotiator is an asset to farmers and ranchers across the U.S. as well as within the federal government,” the letter said. “That voice ensures that agriculture issues are prioritized as negotiations are ongoing and become more complicated.” The role is responsible for conducting and overseeing international negotiations related to the trade of agricultural products. The role is politically appointed, and each incoming administration is responsible for nominating someone to serve in the position. The letter comes as farmers and ranchers are facing challenging economic conditions. U.S. farmers and ranchers also heavily rely on exports to be successful
NCBA Applauds Farm Security Action Plan
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association applauded Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins’ Farm Security is National Security action plan. The USDA is releasing a number of farm security and national security policies supported by NCBA and America’s cattle farmers and ranchers. “We’re blessed to have hundreds of thousands of family farms and ranches producing beef right here at home,” said NCBA President Buck Wehrbein. “NCBA strongly agrees with Secretary Rollins that farm security is national security.” He also said NCBA is pleased that the agency is protecting our family farms and ranches, scrutinizing foreign acquisitions to ensure they don’t threaten American agriculture, protecting American agriculture research from foreign adversaries, and bolstering animal health programs to prevent a foreign animal disease outbreak. As part of the plan, USDA will increase its oversight of foreign land acquisitions, strengthen inspections to root out dangerous products entering the U.S., and prevent the spread of potentially devastating diseases.
Legislators Look for a Skinny Farm Bill this Fall
Republicans on Capitol Hill cleared their agriculture megabill hurdle. Now, they’re looking to pass a smaller farm bill that will include important priorities that haven’t been updated since 2018. Politico says lawmakers already included $67 billion in spending on farm bill programs in the reconciliation bill. That means some of the most expensive priorities were taken care of. However, there are other farm programs and priorities that need funding, extension, or updating. House Ag Chair GT Thompson looked ahead to a “skinny” farm bill, calling it “farm bill 2.0” and predicting a cost of less than $8 billion. He expects the Fall legislation to be largely based on what the House Ag Committee advanced in 2024. “Unless Democrats purely want to play politics, there’s no basis for partisanship with what we’re planning to do with the rest of the farm bill,” Thompson said. He’s planning on finishing it in September.
2023 and 2024 Disaster Assistance for Farmers is Now Available
Agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. To expedite the help, assistance from the Farm Service Agency is coming in two stages. This first is open to producers with eligible crop losses who received assistance under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program during 2023 and 2024. Stage One sign-ups will start in person at FSA County Offices on July 10, and prefilled applications are on the way to producers through the mail. Stage Two sign-ups for eligible shallow or uncovered losses begin in early Fall. Eligible losses must be the result of natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and-or 2024. To qualify for drought losses, it must have occurred in a D2 or D3 drought or a greater intensity level during the applicable calendar year.
Thursday Watch List
Markets
Weekly Export Sales at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Initial Jobless Claims at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Weekly Slaughter at 2 p.m. CDT
Weather
There is still a front in the East down to the Gulf Coast that will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms for Thursday, including potential for some areas of heavy rain and possible severe weather. However, the main concerns will be in the North-Central states where a disturbance ahead of a system is producing showers and thunderstorms Thursday morning and more should develop with the system moving in later Thursday across the Northern Plains.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
NCBA Supports Resumption of Livestock Imports
The first U.S. port of entry to reopen to shipments of cattle, bison, and horses is in Douglas, Arizona. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says his group supports the reopening. “Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has been focused on America-first policies that support America’s cattle producers, like defending us from the New World screwworm,” he said. “The Secretary’s decision to reopen the Douglas port of entry to live cattle imports will help relieve the economic pain for some producers throughout the country who depend on cattle moving through that port for business.” He also points out that cattle moving through the port will go through a robust double-inspection. Before entering the port, cattle will be inspected for any wounds or other health conditions. If any are detected, the entire lot of cattle will be rejected by veterinary authorities. Cattle are inspected again after reaching the other side.
Clean Fuels Testifies on EPA’s 2026-2027 RFS Rule Proposal
Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen testified during the Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Hearing on Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and 2027. Multiple Clean Fuels staff and member companies also testified, thanking EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and EPA staff for proposing a much-needed step-change in the RFS Biomass-Based Diesel obligations. Clean Fuels also encouraged the agency to maintain the proposed volumes as it addresses outstanding small refinery exemption petitions. “Our industry has made substantial investments over the past several years in biofuel production, feedstock supply, and distribution infrastructure,” said Rehagen. “We supplied more than five billion gallons of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF to the U.S. market in 2024, and we are poised to deliver even more in 2026.” Rehagen also said that the markets have reacted in a positive fashion since the rule came out, but uncertainty around small refinery exemptions still hangs over the industry.
CDC Ends Bird Flu Emergency Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its emergency response to bird flu as the outbreak that sickened dozens of people, spread to cattle, and drove up egg prices has abated. Bloomberg said the emergency designation ended last week. The CDC is combining bird flu updates with the routinely reported seasonal influenza infections. It will also post the number of people monitored and tested for H5N1 every month. It’s not just the CDC ending its emergency efforts. States that were some of the hardest hit are also slowing their reporting efforts. California, for example, ended its emergency declaration in April. Washington had 11 human cases last year and is also downsizing its response. The former deputy director of the CDC, who resigned from his position this year, says he would also have chosen to end the emergency response. The rationale is simple: there haven’t been human infections in some time.
Export Inspections of Corn and Beans Rise
The USDA says inspections of U.S. corn and soybeans were higher week to week, while wheat assessments declined during the seven days ending on July 3. Corn inspections during the week totaled 1.49 million metric tons. That’s up from 1.38 million tons the prior week and well ahead of the 1.02 million tons assessed last year in the same timeframe. Soybean examinations for offshore delivery rose to 389,364 metric tons from 236,700 the previous week. That also topped the 294,000 tons inspected last year. Wheat inspections were reported at 436,628 metric tons, up from 236,700 tons the prior week, and more than the 294,209 tons inspected during the same week last year. Since the marketing year began, the USDA has inspected 56.4 million metric tons of corn, 46.3 million tons of soybeans, and 1.76 million tons of wheat. All of those totals are higher than the same point in 2024.
Farm Security is National Security
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins joined several Cabinet members to announce the next pillar of her Make Agriculture Great Again Initiative: USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan. The initiative covers several critical areas. It secures and protects American farmland, enhances agricultural supply chain resilience, and protects the U.S. nutrition safety net from fraud and foreign exploitation. “We feed the world, lead the world, and we’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs, or our livelihoods,” Rollins said. “This action plan puts farmers, families, and the future first.” The plan also defends agricultural research and innovation, puts America first in every USDA program, safeguards animal and plant health, and protects critical infrastructure. Recent events highlight the critical need for this action as the Justice Department charged foreign nationals with smuggling a noxious fungus into the United States. It was a potential agroterrorism weapon that’s been responsible for significant global crop losses.
Mexico is Building a Sterile Fly Plant
The Mexican government has started construction on a $51 million facility in southern Mexico as part of an effort to combat the New World screwworm that’s disrupted Mexican cattle exports to the U.S. Mexico’s agriculture ministry said the plant is a joint project with the U.S. and will produce 100 million sterile screwworm flies per week once completed in the first half of next year. The release of sterile flies reduces the population of wild flies and is a key tool in helping to control the damaging pest. The U.S., which is Mexico’s largest trading partner, is paying $21 million of the cost, and the U.S. is spending $30 million. The U.S. also has plans to open a sterile fly dispersal facility in Texas as part of the ongoing battle against screwworm. The pest carries maggots that burrow into the skin of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage.
Wednesday Watch List
Markets
EIA Petroleum Status Report including weekly ethanol production at 9:30 a.m. CDT
Minutes of May Fed Meeting at 1 p.m. CDT
Weather
An old front and a small system will keep showers and thunderstorms going over the eastern half of the country on Wednesday. Some limited areas of severe weather and heavy rain will continue. A small disturbance will enter the Plains and some potent thunderstorms may occur across the northern half of the Plains Wednesday afternoon and evening as well.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Trump Willing to Let Migrant Laborers Stay on U.S. Farms
Once again, President Donald Trump emphasized his willingness to protect American farmers who rely on immigrant workers to operate their farms. At a rally in Iowa last week, the president said he would allow farmers who hire migrant workers to take charge and permit the migrants working in agriculture to remain in the country. News Nation says this plan wouldn’t create a path to citizenship that many immigration advocates wanted, but it would protect them from the possibility of being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during workplace raids. The president said that by implementing a plan for farmworkers to avoid being taken into custody, it will benefit a farming industry that contributed about $223 million to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2023. During the event in Iowa, Trump said he’s heard of migrants who worked for farms for more than 15 years getting thrown out pretty violently.
NASDA Concludes Successful Trade Mission
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture concluded an inbound trade mission with a high-level Moroccan agricultural delegation in June. The visit further strengthened bilateral agricultural cooperation and deepened ties between the U.S. and Morocco, laying important groundwork for continued engagement. The mission also opened new avenues for collaboration and future trade opportunities. “The visit was an important step in further strengthening agricultural ties between Morocco and the U.S.,” said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “It’s clear there’s a strong appetite on both sides to build long-term trade relationships grounded in shared values and innovation.” Moroccan leaders expressed a strong interest in expanding agricultural partnerships with the U.S. Throughout the mission, delegates explored opportunities for trade collaboration in areas like soil management, biotechnology, food safety, drought resilience, and many other areas. The Moroccan delegation included senior officials from the country’s food safety authority and executives from leading Moroccan agricultural organizations.
AFT Awards Almost Three Million Dollars Nationwide
American Farmland Trust awarded $2,820,250 in grants to 208 farmers and ranchers across the country through the 2025 Brighter Future Fund programs. Of the recipients, 113 are beginning farmers, underscoring AFT’s commitment to support the next generation of agricultural stewards and to ensure a more resilient and equitable food system. Now in its fifth year, the Brighter Future Fund continues to help fund producers working to strengthen on-farm resilience, enhance soil health, plan for long-term viability, and grow climate-smart local food systems. “These farmers and ranchers are leading the way in growing a more sustainable and secure agricultural future,” said Ashley Brucker, senior manager of grantmaking for the Brighter Future Fund. “Whether they’re just starting out or building on a generation of stewardship, they are implementing practices that protect land, improve soil, and serve their communities.”
Ranchers Want Mexican Gray Wolf Delisted from ESA
The Public Lands Council and the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association announced support for the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act. The legislation would delist the Mexican gray wolf and separate the populations in the U.S. and Mexico, allowing for proper management of the species. “Now is the time to recognize the catastrophic impact that bad federal policy has on local communities,” said PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “For too long, ranchers in states near our southern border have shouldered the burden of managing this species with limited tools and little support from the federal government that’s imposed all manner of burdens.” The organizations point out that the Fish and Wildlife Service has been recovering the Mexican wolf for more than 25 years. ”Despite what it reports, the wolf is recovered numerically and genetically,” said New Mexico Cattle Growers Association President-Elect Tom Paterson. “It’s time to delist the Mexican gray wolf.”
USDA to Forecast U.S. Grape Production
Starting at the end of this month, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will mail the Grape Inquiry-August 2025 survey to approximately 2,000 U.S. growers. The survey asks for grape acreage and projected production. NASS will forecast 2025 grape production based on the information collected. “The information from this survey directly impacts U.S. grape growers,” said NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons. “Growers can use the forecast data when making business plans and marketing decisions.” He also said the data can inform programs and projects provided by agencies, Cooperative Extension, state and local governments, and other industry groups in service to the nation’s growers. Growers can respond to the survey online at agcounts.usda.gov(Link is external), by mail, or by fax. The information provided is protected and confidential in accordance with federal law. The 2025 U.S. grape forecast is scheduled for August 12, 2025.
Michigan Beef Served on Fourth of July
The Michigan Cattlemen’s Association announced that Michigan beef was on display at the White House during the Fourth of July Celebration in Washington, D.C. Michigan cattle producer and former Michigan Cattlemen’s Association board member Don Nevill raised some of the high-quality beef that was served to White House guests. The guest list included major dignitaries, servicemembers, Cabinet officials, and senior White House staff. “I am incredibly honored to have beef from my farm in Michigan served at the White House for the Fourth of July,” said Nevill. “I’ve been in the cattle business my whole life, and I’m just blown away by the opportunity.” Nevill began his career by starting a herd at the age of 14. The Michigan farmer traveled to Washington, D.C., from his family farm to participate in the event, where he had the opportunity to visit with President Trump, walk the White House grounds, and view fireworks.
Tuesday Watch List
Markets
U.S. Ag Trade Data Update at 1 p.m.
Weather
A front has stalled across the Tennessee Valley for Tuesday, where scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop. Moisture near the Gulf will create showers farther south as well. A system is moving through the Midwest and that should bring more consistent showers and thunderstorms throughout the day back into the Central Plains as well.
Monday, July 7, 2025
Congress Passes Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ and its Farm Provisions
After enduring nearly 12 hours of House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries' "Magic Minute" filibuster, the U.S. House passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Thursday afternoon. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall applauded the bill's passage, now on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk for a final signature. Among key ag provisions, the bill strengthens the producer safety net by investing in modifications to the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage commodity programs that are more responsive to the current economic environment. “Improvements to farm safety net programs that reflect today’s agricultural economy and maintaining important tax provisions will directly benefit farm families,” Duvall said, adding that prices being paid to farmers continue to fall, while expenses remain stubbornly high. “The combination is taking a toll — America lost more than 141,000 farms in a five-year period, leading to more consolidation of family farms. Increases to reference prices as well as investments in conservation, research and trade are desperately needed, especially since it’s been seven years since passage of a new farm bill. Farmers will stand a better chance of enduring tough times so they can plant for another season.”
USDA to Scale Back NEPA’s Role in Agency Actions
The USDA will adopt new regulations on evaluating the environmental effects of grazing and other agency-approved activities, saying the rules will follow directions from President Trump and the U.S. Supreme Court. The regulations will guide the agency’s execution of the National Environmental Policy Act. The rules will be published soon and will take effect immediately, the agency said June 30. The regulations are intended to eliminate unnecessarily long and cumbersome environmental reviews, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement. “We have been hamstrung by overly burdensome regulations for decades,” she said. “Overreguation has morphed the NEPA process into bureaucratic overreach on American innovation.” NEPA, signed by President Richard Nixon in 1970, requires federal agencies to consider the environmental consequences of their actions, such as funding farmland conservation or permitting logging or grazing on federal lands. NEPA applies to more than 100,000 federal actions a year and routinely provides the basis for allegations the government has failed to do an adequate environmental review.
Dairy Supply Management Could Sour Canada-US Trade Talks
Canada canceled a digital service tax on U.S. technology companies this week in order to preserve trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, but another irritant, in agriculture, could be a bigger thorn in the ongoing negotiations. Analysts said ditching the digital services tax was politically easy for Prime Minister Mark Carney compared to even discussing Canada's supply management system that since the 1970s has tightly controlled supplies of dairy, eggs and poultry by restricting production and limiting imports through onerous tariffs. When Carney met with Trump, he said the two leaders were aiming for a new economic agreement by July 21. Trump, however, threatened in a Truth Social post to derail talks and impose new tariffs due to the digital service tax, which had been scheduled to take effect on Monday. In the same post, Trump also attacked tariffs on dairy products. Carney and Trump both confirmed negotiations had restarted with the removal of the tax.
Bunge Completes $8 Billion Merger with Grain Trader Viterra
Bunge Global SA completed its takeover of Glencore Plc-backed Viterra, a move that will help the combined businesses better compete with larger rivals like Cargill Inc. and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. as the crop-trading sector faces a downturn in profits. First announced about two years ago, Bunge had initially sought to close the deal by mid-2024, but was held up as it awaited antitrust approvals from various regions. The transaction now is closed, weeks after receiving crucial support in China. Bunge, the world’s biggest oilseed processor and the B in the quartet of agricultural powerhouses known as the ABCDs, has been pressured as ample world harvests weigh on commodities prices, while US President Donald Trump’s trade disputes threaten demand. Viterra’s vast network of storage facilities, port terminals and vessels should broaden Bunge’s trading opportunities. The terms of the merger announced in 2023 includes Viterra shareholders receiving about 65.5 million shares of Bunge stock valued at around $6.2 billion along with about $2 billion in cash.
Congress Plans to Scrap USDA Climate Hubs, Following Trump Guidance
The Ames, Iowa-based Midwest Climate Hub, which along with the other 10 regional climate hubs under the USDA, is slated to be cut from the federal agriculture budget. The U.S. House appropriations bill that sets the 2026 fiscal year budgets for agriculture, rural development, food and drug administration, and related agencies includes no funds for climate hubs or climate corps. The summary of the bill says it safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by eliminating funding for climate hubs, among other changes. Eleven regional climate hubs were established as interagency departments by USDA in 2014 with the goal of coordinating across USDA agencies, and with U.S. producers, on climate resiliency strategies. This season’s abundant rainfall has left pastures rated at least 80% good to excellent in several southern states, including Alabama, Kentucky, and North Carolina. However, frequent showers have also slowed many southern farmers’ fieldwork.
Kansas Wheat Yields, Quality Take a Hit from Disease Complex
Mother Nature took a toll on Kansas winter wheat this season, with USDA rating the crop – at the harvest halfway mark earlier this week – at only 48% reaching good to excellent quality. Beyond inclement weather, it was a small, cigar-shaped pest – the wheat curl mite – that delivered one of the harshest yield blows to the crop this year, according to Romulo Lollato, wheat and forages Extension specialist, Kansas State University. The small pest is a vector of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, one of the most destructive wheat disease complexes in the U.S. and around the world. The disease complex can be caused by several viruses, including wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and wheat mosaic virus (High Plains). The issue is widespread, well beyond Kansas. Other top wheat-producing states have the pest and WSMV, as well, including Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas. There are farm fields out here that got completely decimated, he says.
Monday Watch List
Markets
Export Inspections at 10 a.m. CDT
CFTC Commitment of Traders at 2:30 p.m. CDT
Crop Progress at 3 p.m. CDT
Weather
Multiple disturbances found east of the Rockies will continue to produce widespread showers and thunderstorms for Monday. That includes the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal over the Mid-Atlantic. But a somewhat more potent feature moving through the Northern and Central Plains will be the focus for severe weather later in the day. All hazards are on the table.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Family Farmers Don’t Get Much Independence on July Fourth
As Americans fire up their grills on Independence Day, the National Farmers Union highlights how little independence family farmers have in the marketplace. The “Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar,” released this week, highlights how little family farmers earn compared to how much consumers pay at the grocery store. Family farmers get only a small fraction of their income from popular Independence Day foods, an average of as low as 16.3 percent of a $30 shopping cart. For example, one pound of ground beef costs an average of $5.99 a pound, and the farmer’s share is $2.08. An eight-count package of hamburger buns retails for $3.79, and the farmer’s share is nine cents, or 2.3 percent. One pound of lettuce is $3.55, and farmers get 29 cents (8.2 percent). “Family farmers and ranchers are working harder than ever and taking home less,” says NFU President Rob Larew, “all while corporate monopolies make record profits.”
More Reaction to Senate Passing the Big Beautiful Bill
National agriculture groups continued reacting to the Budget Reconciliation Bill approved by the Senate on Tuesday. The National Corn Growers Association says the bill contains many of the group’s federal tax priorities, including permanently extending key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. “That will provide more certainty for farmers,” said NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. The National Sorghum Producers appreciate the package, including a $50 billion increase for the Price Loss Coverage Program and reduced crop insurance premiums. “These are critical improvements for managing risk,” says NSP Chair Amy France. Not all of the reaction was positive. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, says the Big Beautiful Betrayal is “bad for families trying to put food on the table, for rural economies already dealing with tariff impacts, and for state and local governments working to make critical investments in the future.”
USDA Trade Mission Heading to the Dominican Republic
The USDA will lead a trade mission to the Dominican Republic from July 13-17 to expand market access and boost America’s agricultural exports. The delegation includes 47 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and officials from Colorado, Montana, and Wisconsin departments of agriculture. “USDA is committed to opening up more export opportunities for American agriculture,” said Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs Michelle Bekkering, who will lead the mission. “This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers, tapping into Latin America’s growing demand for high-quality American agricultural products, supporting good rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.” The Dominican Republic is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in the Western Hemisphere and the top market within the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic region. It’s helped increase U.S. exports to the Dominican Republic to $2.2 billion in 2024. The U.S. supplies 44 percent of the country’s agricultural imports.
Texas Farmers and Ranchers Appreciate New National Defense Area
The Department of Defense is expanding National Defense Area operations along the southern U.S. border, with two of the three areas in Texas. Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller applauded the move as a big benefit to farmers and ranchers in the area. “Farmers and ranchers, especially in the border regions, face daily threats from illegal crossings, drug cartels, and human traffickers who damage property, steal resources, and endanger lives,” Miller said. “The issue isn’t limited to Texas, either.” He also said the issue poses a national security threat affecting America’s food supply and rural economies. “I applaud President Trump’s Executive Order to reinforce the military’s role in border security and encourage federal officials to collaborate with local authorities and landowners,” Miller added. “Securing the border is essential for protecting both Texas and U.S. agriculture.” In January, Trump declared an invasion at the southwest border and issued orders to secure it.
U.S. Poultry Producers Get More Overseas Market Access
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced this week that America’s poultry producers will have greater market access to Namibia (na-MIH-bee-ah), which will now accept fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry exports from the U.S. “We are providing more markets for farmers to share their bountiful harvests,” said Rollins. “This announcement is a win for farmers, a win for exporters, and a win for freedom-loving nations who want access to safe, high-quality U.S. food.” As of July 1, exports can ship fresh, frozen, or chilled poultry and poultry products to Namibia, unlocking a market valued at $15 million. USDA also negotiated the removal of burdensome export and transit permit requirements for processed poultry products, reopening a previously restricted channel. Namibia’s decision to recognize U.S. food safety standards and the work performed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service affirms the global reputation of USDA’s food inspection system, which ensures American products are safe.
NCGA Holds Fifth Women and Mentors Retreat
Connection and collaboration were at the heart of the National Corn Growers fifth annual Women and Mentors Retreat on June 25 and 26 in Chicago, Illinois. The Women and Mentors retreat is designed to create a diverse network of individuals who wish to empower women in agriculture. Throughout the conference, participants learned to “Quiet Their Inner Critic” with help from author Randi Braun, explored their strengths, learned how to embrace authenticity, and worked through project development ideas in a team setting. They also heard from an accomplished panel of women leaders, which made for an engaging discussion. “It’s so important to elevate the role of women in agriculture so they can continue to grow as leaders and lead future customer organizations,” said Jarah Hauger, a representative of John Deere, an event sponsor. After two days of connection and growth, cohorts were created to extend the retreat’s impact beyond its scheduled time.
Thursday Watch List
Markets
Weekly Export Sales at 7:30 a.m. CDT
June Employment and Wage Reports at 7:30 a.m. CDT
U.S. Trade Balance In Goods and Services for May at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Weekly Slaughter at 2 p.m. CDT
Weather
Part of a front has stalled near the Red River Valley, keeping showers going there south through Texas for Thursday. Several disturbances and fronts across the north will also produce scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, and some of these could be severe with a few stronger storms producing wind gusts and hail.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Senate Passes Big, Beautiful Bill
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed the Senate by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Vance breaking the tie. The budget legislation, which paves the way for much of President Trump’s domestic agenda, included several priorities important to groups like the American Soybean Association. “ASA applauds the Senate for its support of U.S. agriculture,” says ASA President Caleb Ragland. “Soybean growers have long supported comprehensive revisions to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, an improved safety net for agriculture, and increased support for research and market expansion.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association also thanked the Senate for passing the legislation. “This bill protects family farmers and ranchers across the country from a massive tax hike at the end of the year, increases the death tax exemption, makes the Section 199a tax deduction permanent, as well as many other priorities,” said Ethan Lane, NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
Farmer Sentiment Weakens on Trade Outlook
Farmer sentiment weakened in June following two months of improvement. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 12 points from the previous month to 146. A change in producers’ expectations for the future served as the primary factor in the shift. The Index of Future Expectations sank 18 points to 146. However, the Current Conditions Index only lost two points to 144. A drop in optimism about future agricultural exports seems to have influenced producers’ weakened outlook. Even with the June declines, all three indexes persist at higher levels than a year ago. The Farm Financial Performance Index dropped five points to 104, with producers projecting a slightly weaker financial outlook for their farms in June compared to May. An index above 100 indicates that U.S. farmers expect a stronger financial performance in 2025 than in 2024. The Farm Capital Investment Index rose five points in June to 60.
Largest June Hog Herd Since 2020
The June 1 inventory of hogs and pigs was at 75.1 million head, up less than one percent from last quarter and slightly higher than last year. Meanwhile, the breeding herd is the smallest in a decade, down .02 percent from last quarter and .47 percent from last year, and within the bottom range of pre-report expectations. That’s only .9 percent higher than the breeding herd in June 2015, and matches the total in June 2016. All but the heaviest category of market hog inventories are up compared to a year ago. Overall, the number of hogs weighing less than 180 pounds is about 63 percent larger than a year ago, which are the market hogs arriving at processing plants from July through November 2025. USDA’s Cold Storage Report says cold stocks of pork at the end of May were down one percent from April and one percent from 2024.
Phased Reopening for Southern Livestock Imports
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico beginning as early as July 7. USDA - after extensive collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World screwworm surveillance, detection, and eradication efforts - is set to begin a phased reopening of the southern ports, starting with Douglas, Arizona. Progress has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11, including the resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that allowed the USDA team to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal seven days a week and the dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week. “We’ve focused on fighting the New World screwworm’s advancement in Mexico,” Rollins said. “We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts.”
Cattle Producers Applaud Resuming Livestock Imports
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced support for the USDA’s plan to strategically reopen key ports of entry to shipments of live cattle, bison, and horses. This decision was made by Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins following a New World screwworm assessment by USDA staff in Mexico. “NCBA and our state affiliates have spent months working with USDA to safeguard the U.S. cattle industry from the threat of New World screwworm,” says NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “We strongly support USDA’s five-pronged plan to fight the screwworm, which includes boosting sterile fly production by renovating a facility in Mexico and building a new fly dispersal facility in South Texas.” NCBA also calls the announcement to reopen key ports of entry a measured, thoughtful approach by the Secretary to allow some trade while also ensuring the American cattle industry is protected from this pest. “We’ll continue working to protect our livestock producers,” Woodall added.
Applications Open for Veteran Farmer Award
The American Farm Bureau, with support from Farm Credit, is seeking applications for the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. The award recognizes U.S. military veterans or service members for excellence in farming or agriculture and for positively impacting local communities. The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize plus reimbursement for travel and other expenses incurred for him or her and one guest to attend the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, January 9-14, 2026. “We’re proud to elevate and celebrate veterans for their service to our country and their involvement in agriculture and local communities,” says Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “We greatly appreciate the sacrifices of veterans and active service members so we can enjoy the freedoms that we have in this country and highlight their contributions to agriculture.” Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern time on September 2.
Wednesday Watch List
Markets
ADP Employment at 7:15 a.m. CDT
EIA Petroleum Status Report including weekly ethanol production at 9:30 a.m. CDT
Weather
A front has stalled into the northern Gulf and into the Southeast coast and will be close enough to produce more showers near both coasts on Wednesday. Across the north, a sneaky little front and another disturbance should produce some more potential showers and thunderstorms.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Planted Acreage Report Shows More Corn, Fewer Soybeans
The USDA’s Planted Acreage report shows more corn and fewer soybeans, wheat, and cotton acres. Corn planted area is estimated at 95.2 million acres in 2025, up by five percent or 4.61 million acres from 2024. That’s the third-highest planted acres in the U.S. since 1944. The area harvested for grain is expected to be five percent higher than last year at 86.8 million acres. Soybean planted area for 2025 is estimated at 83.4 million acres, down four percent from last year. The all-wheat planted area this year is estimated at 45.5 million acres, down one percent from 2024. The winter wheat planted area, at 33.3 million acres, is down less than one percent from last year but up slightly from the prior estimate. The all-cotton planted area for this year is estimated at 10.1 million acres, down ten percent from last year. The upland area is down nine percent from 2024.
USDA Releases Grain Stocks Report
The USDA’s Grain Stocks Report shows less corn and more soybeans and wheat in storage. Corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2025, totaled 4.64 billion bushels, down seven percent from June 1, 2024. Of the total, 2.56 billion are on farms, 16 percent lower than in 2024. Off-farm stocks, at 2.09 billion, are up six percent from last year. Soybeans stored in all positions on June 1 were at 1.01 billion bushels, four percent above last year. On-farm stocks were at 412 million bushels, 12 percent lower than last year. Off-farm stocks, at 596 million bushels, are up 18 percent from last year. Old crop all wheat stored in all positions totaled 851 million bushels, up 22 percent from last year. On-farm stocks were estimated at 184 million bushels, up 32 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 667 million bushels, are 20 percent higher than last year.
Corn Farming is an Economic Engine for the U.S. Economy
The U.S. is the world’s largest producer and exporter of corn. Corn farmers are bolstering the U.S. economy and building strong communities. That’s according to a new study released by the National Corn Growers Association. Corn grower leaders say they could make an even bigger contribution to the U.S. economy through increased sales of ethanol and the cultivation of new foreign markets. The study says the contribution of corn farming and its upstream linkages extended across 506 different industry sectors in all 50 states, generating an estimated $123 billion in total economic output in 2024. The report also shows that corn farming supported over 440,000 jobs and provided $29 billion in wages, strengthening communities in rural America and across the entire nation. “These findings show that the corn industry is an essential contributor to the nation’s agricultural and economic value chains,” said National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson.
Summer E15 Waiver Will Save Billions of Dollars
Growth Energy says Americans will potentially save over $10.1 billion in fuel costs this summer thanks to an emergency waiver issued this year by the Environmental Protection Agency. The waiver allowed for the continued sale of E15 throughout the summer. An analysis from Growth Energy says if American drivers choose E15 instead of the standard E10 this summer, they could collectively save more than 10.1 billion dollars. “Access to E15 is a win for American drivers and for American energy dominance,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This summer, up to $10.1 billion dollars is money that could go back into the pockets of working families, and we should never put those savings on hold.” Now that the waiver is in place, Growth Energy is pushing for Congress to make unrestricted access to E15 available year-round. Those savings will deliver relief for working families while creating jobs and economic growth.
Food Safety Tips for Fourth of July Barbecues
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reminds Americans to declare their independence from foodborne illness during the holiday weekend. “Summer barbecues are a favorite tradition, but they also present unique food safety challenges when cooking outdoors and away from the safety of a kitchen,” says FSIS Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen. FSIS tips include handling frozen food properly. Before the barbecue, thaw out frozen beef, poultry, or fish safely in the refrigerator, cold water, or a microwave. If frozen products appear pre-cooked, cook them thoroughly anyway. Always marinate food in the refrigerator, never at room temperature, because bacteria multiply rapidly in warm environments. When cooking food, don’t cook it partially ahead of time and finish later. Cook it thoroughly the first time. Avoid the danger zone as bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses grow between 40 F and 140 F.
AccuWeather Forecast Calls for Midwest Storms, Western Heat
As the Fourth of July approaches, very warm to hot conditions are expected across much of the West. Typical summer warmth is in the AccuWeather Independence Day forecast from the Great Lakes to the Northeast. Humid conditions with showers and thunderstorms are expected for New Mexico and parts of the Southeast, including Florida, Southern Georgia, and the Coastal Carolinas. “Parts of the Midwest, Southeast, and interior Southwest stand the most likely chance for some disruptive downpours and potent thunderstorm activity on July 4,” said Paul Pastelok, long-range meteorologist for AccuWeather. An area of clouds, showers, and thunderstorms is forecast to evolve from the northeastern Gulf Coast to the Southern Atlantic coast and linger through the first part of July. AccuWeather hurricane experts say it’s possible the broad area of low pressure could organize into one or more tropical rainstorms during this time. Mid-America could see some storms too.
Tuesday Watch List
Markets
Fed Chair Jerome Powell Press Conference at 8:30 a.m. CDT
Job Openings and Labor Turnover at 9 a.m. CDT
ISM Manufacturing Index at 9 a.m. CDT
USDA Fats and Oils Report at 2 p.m. CDT
USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Report at 2 p.m. CDT
Weather
A front continues to make its way both south and east on Tuesday, bringing scattered showers from the Southern Plains east to the Carolinas and up the coast. Another disturbance will move into the Northern Plains with a few showers as well.
Monday, June 30, 2025
Environmental Working Group Pans Reconciliation Bill
Agriculture policy experts in a press conference hosted by Environmental Working Group said the massive budget reconciliation bill waiting for debate and approval in the Senate, would drive further dependency on farm safety nets, and have negative effects on small- and medium-sized producers. The bill pulls money from the federal nutrition programs and to pay for federal farm subsidies, which the analysts argued would go to “some of the wealthiest people in farm country. The budget reconciliation bill, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” comprises budgets across the entire government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees farm programs and nutrition programs. Its budget is typically determined by omnibus legislation known as the Farm Bill. Environmental Working Group reported USDA paid $279.4 billion in commodity subsidies in 2024, and that from 1995 through 2024, the top 10% of commodity farms received nearly 80% of commodity subsidy payments.
U.S./India Trade Talks Stall over Tariff Disputes
Trade negotiations between the U.S. and India have reached a major impasse, casting doubt on prospects for a bilateral agreement ahead of President Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline to impose new reciprocal tariffs, Reuters reports. Indian officials say both sides remain divided over import duties on auto components, steel and agricultural products. India is pressing for a rollback of the proposed 26% U.S. reciprocal tariff and seeking relief from existing U.S. duties on Indian steel and auto parts. However, U.S. negotiators have rejected these requests and are demanding deeper tariff cuts by India on U.S. farm goods — including soybeans and corn — as well as on automobiles and alcoholic beverages and are seeking eased non-tariff barriers. An Indian delegation is expected to travel to Washington before the deadline, but sources caution that negotiations may shift toward a broader deal rather than a rushed interim pact.
JBS: Cattle Herd Rebuild is Underway
U.S. ranchers are moving to expand their herds from a seven-decade low, paving the way for a long-awaited recovery in beef supplies, according to top producer JBS NV. Wesley Batista Filho, chief executive officer of the Brazilian company’s North American business, said in an interview, “We are into herd rebuild right now. The economic incentives are there, the weather is helping.” That’s much-needed news for both meatpackers and consumers. A severe shortage in the world’s largest producer has sent cattle costs surging, wiping out billions in profits for companies such as JBS, Cargill Inc. and Tyson Foods Inc., while driving record beef prices at grocery stores. The move is backed up by a recent reduction in the number of female cows being sent to slaughter, which indicates more of them are being held for procreation, according to Batista. Still, it will take years for cattle supplies to recover, with no meaningful increase expected before 2027.
New Survey Predicts 1.3 Million Acre Jump for Corn
Just ahead of USDA’s new estimates, the Kluis Commodity Advisors/Successful Farming Acreage Survey revealed American farmers planted over 1 million more corn acres for the 2025/2026 crop year than USDA previously forecast. Soybean and wheat acres were pegged lower. According to the survey results, the acreage for corn and soybeans combined is 179.3 million versus 178.8 million in USDA’s March 2025 Prospective Plantings report. The survey attributes this increase to a 500,000-acre reduction in spring wheat. USDA’s March report contained 2025/2026 acreage estimates based chiefly on surveys asking what U.S. farmers anticipated planting. Monday, June 30 (Today), USDA is expected to release the annual Acreage report, containing new estimates based mainly on farmer surveys to discover how many acres were actually planted. Al Kluis, managing director of Kluis Commodity Advisors, said the survey’s corn estimate has the potential to translate to increased U.S. corn production and ending stocks, making the number negative for prices.
Kochia Found in Missouri Soybean Fields
Kochia, a highly competitive weed well adapted to the Great Plains and western regions of the U.S. and Canada, has made its way to Missouri soybean fields. Wayne Flanary, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy, discovered large, scattered kochia plants in soybean fields in Atchison County, Missouri, which borders Iowa to the north and Nebraska to the west. He noted that flooding along the Missouri River and its tributaries likely carried the weed into agricultural fields. Though the weed species is not new to Missouri, this may be the first report of kochia showing up in cropland in the state. DTN reports the weed grows rapidly and aggressively outcompetes crops for water, nutrients and sunlight. It's also drought tolerant, producing up to 30,000 seeds per plant. These seeds have potential to germinate quickly -- within two or three hours under the right conditions.
Ag Groups Ask Administration to “Correct” Course of MAHA
Concern about the Make America Healthy Again report led 250-plus agriculture groups to ask the Trump administration to “correct” the direction of its MAHA goals, in a letter dated June 13. The letter was addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Groups signing the letter included: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. In the letter, the groups criticized the MAHA Commission’s “lack of transparency” in creating the report, adding it also did not allow any opportunity for public engagement. In an article published by NOTUS, a digital news outlet, reporters noted the MAHA report contained a number of citation errors and “false claims” that could have been avoided with better industry input ahead of the commission’s report release. A MAHA follow-up report is due for release by August 12.
Monday Watch List
Markets
USDA Weekly Inspections at 10 a.m.
2025 Acreage Report at 11 a.m. CDT
Grain Stocks (June 1) Report at 11 a.m. CDT
Crop Progress at 3 p.m. CDT
Weather
A front will push through the Central Plains and Midwest on Monday, which will be the source of some heavier showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, as well as some potential severe weather. Hot and humid conditions south of the front should cause showers and thunderstorms, with briefly drier conditions developing behind the front.
Friday, June 27, 2025
Global Urea Prices Surge
Prices for urea, a key ingredient in the world’s fertilizer supplies, have surged globally alongside escalating violence in the Middle East. Bloomberg said the violence is interfering with the flow of urea supplies from one of the highest-producing regions in the world. Almost half of the world’s urea exports are sourced from manufacturing facilities located along the Persian Gulf. Iran and Egypt have already lowered production. Josh Linville of StoneX says the world lost its number three and four urea exporters in the world with that reduction. Those two countries were responsible for 20 percent of the global urea trade in 2024. One of the most commonly used nitrogen fertilizers, urea provides one of the vital nutrients that make global food production possible. U.S. Gulf urea spot prices, a global price benchmark, rose approximately 16 percent in the past week. Middle East prices also rallied 11 percent last week.
Ethanol Production Down for the Second Straight Week
During the week ending on June 20, U.S. ethanol output fell for a second straight week while inventories rose, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Production declined to an average of 1.081 million barrels a day, which is down from the 1.109 million barrels during the prior week and the lowest total since the seven days ending on May 23. The Midwest, which produces the most ethanol in the country, produced an average of 1.023 million barrels per day, down from 1.052 million barrels during the previous week, the lowest total in just over a month. Gulf Coast production dropped to 26,000 barrels a day from 27,000 the prior week, the agency said. That was the entirety of the losses as East Coast and Rocky Mountain production held steady from the prior week. The West Coast saw the only increase, rising from 8,000 to 10,000 barrels a day.
Bee Colony Collapse Due to Resistant Mites
Researchers, scientists, and beekeepers have been looking for answers as to what caused catastrophic honeybee losses earlier this year. Now, new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has identified the cause behind the devastating losses. The study’s findings point to alarmingly high levels of viral infections caused by Varroa mites with genes that are resistant to a common treatment as key drivers of the colonies’ collapse. The Honey Bee Health Coalition says all Varroa mites collected from the affected colonies tested positive for a genetic marker linked to resistance to amitraz, the most commonly used miticide in commercial beekeeping. This finding underscores the urgent need for new tools and integrated pest management strategies. Researchers encouraged U.S. beekeepers not to rely on amitraz as their primary mite control method, but to turn to a host of other available chemicals. The mortality-causing viruses were the Deformed Wing Virus and Acute Bee Paralysis Virus.
Democrats Speak Out Against Possible SNAP Cuts
Senate Democrats, including Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), held a press conference this week on how Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Betrayal” will take food assistance away from millions of Americans. They say SNAP cuts will hurt millions of Americans, including seniors, children, and veterans. The Republican bill will also raise grocery costs and increase hunger, while blowing a hole in state budgets by shifting billions of dollars in SNAP costs onto states. “Congressional Republicans are rushing to raise costs and take food away from millions of Americans,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This bill will harm Americans who count on SNAP to put food on the table and will force governors to choose between funding food assistance or investing in education, public safety, and infrastructure.” She also said this would be a major hit to American farmers. “This reckless legislation will force kids to go hungry,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.
Registration Deadline Approaching for the Consider Corn Challenge
The National Corn Growers Association is calling on entrepreneurs, researchers, and startups to reimagine the potential of American field corn in the fifth Consider Corn Challenge. The Challenge will award up to $300,000 to help jump-start the early development of high-value, corn-based products that create long-term demand for U.S. corn growers. The Challenge encourages innovation across industries spanning sustainable chemicals, bioplastics, textiles, fuels, and more to reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials. The goal is to open new markets and elevate corn’s value far beyond its traditional uses in food, feed, and fuel. As manufacturers seek renewable alternatives, corn offers a scalable, homegrown solution that helps contribute to supply chain resiliency, rural economic development, and domestic manufacturing. Many of the new technologies not only replace petroleum-based inputs but also often outperform them.
China Signs Agreement with Argentina for Soymeal
Chinese firms have booked the first soymeal cargo from Argentina since Beijing first approved Argentine imports in 2019. Reuters said China’s animal feed industry wants to broaden its supply options to mitigate potential disruptions from the U.S.-China trade war. Four sources told Reuters that several Chinese feed makers have jointly signed the deal to purchase 30,000 metric tons of Argentine soymeal for July shipment. One Singapore-based trader called it a “test case,” and if the soymeal gets through Chinese inspections and quarantine successfully, then expect more deals in the future. The cargo was purchased at $360 per ton on a cost and freight basis and is expected to arrive in September. China is the world’s biggest consumer of protein-rich animal feed raw material but produces most of it by crushing soybeans, mainly imported from Brazil and the U.S. Argentina is the world’s top exporter of soy oil and meal.