The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance published a new report entitled “Nurturing Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities.” The report recommends the Make America Healthy Again Commission support policies that reward stewardship and invest in innovation as part of a national strategy to create lasting, healthy outcomes for all communities, rural and urban alike. The report focuses on three key pillars to help ag producers and forest owners keep our soil healthy and the air and water clean: advancing voluntary conservation; supporting sustainable forest management and restoration; and driving agricultural innovation. FACA co-chair Duane Simpson, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, is happy to see the release of the Healthy Soils Report. FACA co-chair Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, said, "Through collaboration, we can strengthen policies that reward stewardship and invest in innovation. By providing the right tools, we can ensure farmers lead the way.”
Welcome
Friday, August 1, 2025
USGC Reacts to Trade Deal with South Korea
President Donald Trump announced another in a series of recent trade deals, this time with the Republic of South Korea. He says the deal amounts to an investment of $350 billion in U.S. goods, which includes agricultural products. South Korea will also purchase an additional $100 billion in liquefied natural gas and other energy products. The President says U.S. goods will be traded with South Korea at a zero-tariff rate, while South Korea will pay a 15 percent tariff on U.S. goods. “South Korea is one of our longest-established trading partners, so the Council is happy to see the administration show a commitment to building on those years of mutual respect and trade with the negotiation of this newest trade deal,” says U.S. Grains Council CEO Ryan LeGrand. “Korea was our fifth-largest trading partner in grains in all forms, with sales totaling $4.07 billion in the 2023-2024 marketing year.
Cover Crop Use Rises Over the Last Decade
Cover crops provide seasonal living cover in between a farmer’s primary commodity crops and are often planted in the fall to provide winter cover for soil that might otherwise be bare. During the last decade, the use of fall cover crops has grown for the major cash crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton. Farmer responses to the Agricultural Resource Management Survey show that in the fall preceding the survey year, producers planted cover crops on eight percent of all corn-for-grain acres planted (2021), 11 percent of all soybean acres planted (2023), and 19 percent of all cotton acres planted (2019). Cover crop adoption was also relatively high in cotton fields, where cover crops help prevent erosion and increase soil moisture and organic matter. Producers can use cover crops to comply with regulations on applying manure to their acres, to address soil health or erosion concerns, or as grazed or harvested forage.
Ethanol Output Hits Six-Week High
The Energy Information Administration says U.S. ethanol output rose to its highest level in six weeks and inventories jumped in the seven days ending on July 25. Total production surged to an average of 1.096 million barrels a day, up from 1.078 million a week earlier. The agency said that’s the highest level since June 13. In the Midwest, which produces the most ethanol, output averaged 1.04 million barrels a day, up from 1.026 million the week before. East Coast output jumped from 9,000 to 12,000 barrels a day, while Rocky Mountain production was up an average of 1,000 barrels a day to 11,000 during the week. Gulf Coast production was also up 1,000 barrels a day to an average of 25,000 barrels a day. West Coast output held steady compared to the prior week. Ethanol stockpiles on July 25 totaled 24.7 million barrels, reaching the highest level since April 18.
USDA Investment Will Keep Forests Working
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the U.S. Forest Service is investing $106 million to support state and landowner efforts to conserve private working forestland across the country. Funded through the Forest Legacy Program, these projects will protect forests vital to the economic and social fabric of local communities, ensuring they remain productive working forests for Americans and tourists to use and enjoy. “Just like our farms and ranches, working forests are part of the backbone of rural America, providing jobs, timber, clean water, and places for families to hunt, fish, camp, hike, and make lifelong memories,” said Rollins. In total, the Forest Service will fund ten projects across 177,000 acres of state- and privately-owned forestland in Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, and other states. “For too long, our forests have been left idle, only to burn and devastate communities,” she added. “It’s all about safeguarding forests that supply critical wood products.”
Lamb Summit 2025 Celebrates Success
The 2025 American Lamb Summit, held in late July, marked a significant milestone for the U.S. sheep industry, drawing industry leaders, producers, and educators together to explore innovations and strategies for growth. This year’s event was the third summit of its kind, which focused on enhancing the competitiveness of American Lamb. “The summit was a great opportunity to engage with veteran lamb producers and industry leaders, while also welcoming new producers,” said Jeff Ebert, chair of the American Lamb Board. “It’s encouraging to see a diverse group of industry leaders from across the country all share an excitement about the future of the American Lamb industry.” Attendees heard from top experts on a variety of topics aimed at improving product quality and efficiency. The topics included education in production practices, marketing, and industry trends. They also learned about profitable grazing systems, livestock nutrition, reducing antibiotic use, consumer trends, and more.
Friday Watch List
Markets
July Employment and Wage Reports at 7:30 a.m. CDT
Agricultural Cash Rent and Land Values at 2 p.m. CDT
Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crush Report for June at 2 p.m. CDT
Grain Crushings and Co-Products Report for June at 2 p.m. CDT
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report at 2:30 p.m. CDT
Weather
A front has finally made it to the far south on Friday, where it will stall and produce scattered showers and thunderstorms. Much more comfortable air has spread through the country north of that front. Some additional showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the Plains.