House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act

The House has passed a bill that would require AM radio access in new vehicles, sending the legislation to the Senate. The House approved the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act by voice vote Tuesday. The measure would direct the Transportation Department to require automakers to include AM receivers in vehicles sold in the United States. The bill has been promoted as a way to preserve radio access, especially during emergencies. National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says millions of Americans rely on AM radio for emergency information, news, and connections. Minnesota Broadcasters Association President Wendy Paulson called the House action a victory for broadcasters and AM listeners. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where a companion bill has been awaiting consideration. The Senate version is sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Ed Markey, and it has more than 60 cosponsors.

Senate Leader Open to Diesel Export Ban

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he is open to considering a ban on U.S. diesel exports as prices reach high levels, a proposal that could draw attention from farmers facing higher fuel costs. Thune told reporters that restricting exports could be one way to ease pressure on diesel prices if supply is available. The average reached $6.27 a gallon Tuesday, according to AAA, up about 80 cents from a month earlier. Diesel prices have been pushed higher by tight global supplies tied to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, along with refinery disruptions. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Monday that an oil or fuel export ban would be unlikely to lower energy prices. Thune says he is willing to explore the idea as officials look for ways to address high fuel costs. Forbes said Thune noted that if the U.S. is exporting domestic supply, it’s worth considering a halt to those shipments to help lower domestic prices. 

FAPRI says Farm Income Expected to Decline in 2026

Farm income is expected to decline in 2026 despite stronger crop prices and higher government payments, according to FAPRI. The University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute projects net farm income at $155 billion, down $8 billion from 2025 and below USDA’s September forecast. Crop receipts are expected to increase $16 billion, with corn and soybean receipts accounting for nearly $12 billion of that gain. But higher fuel, fertilizer, and other input costs are expected to outweigh a modest decline in pesticide expenses. Livestock receipts are projected to fall $13 billion, although cattle and calf receipts are expected to rise $9 billion. FAPRI (FAP-ree) projects nearly $13 billion in combined PLC and ARC payments in 2026, up $11 billion from 2025, as higher reference prices and low crop prices boost payments. The report projects record cattle prices continuing, with a cautious turn in the cattle cycle expected in 2027.

USDA Expands Crop Insurance Flexibility for Organic Growers

The USDA is improving crop insurance options for organic cranberry and stone fruit producers, giving them more flexibility beginning with the 2027 crop year. The Risk Management Agency has approved allowing producers to select Enterprise Units or Optional Units by organic farming practice for those crops. RMA Administrator Pat Swanson says the change gives organic and transitional growers the same unit-structure flexibility available to conventional producers. Enterprise Units combine eligible acreage into a single insurance unit, while Optional Units allow producers to divide acreage into smaller units based on practices or land location. That means losses on one unit can be settled without being offset by production from another. The option applies wherever coverage is available. Eligible stone fruit includes apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. Producers should contact their crop insurance agent before their sales closing date to discuss coverage and unit options.

FFAR Invests $9.3 Million in Fertilizer Efficiency Research

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research is investing $9.3 million to improve nutrient use efficiency across a variety of agricultural systems. The investment, made through the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium, supports 12 research projects involving universities, government organizations, and industry partners. The projects will evaluate fertilizer products and management practices across different soils, cropping systems, and growing conditions. FFAR Scientific Program Manager Dr. Sarah Lyons says growers need science-backed guidance that works under real-world conditions. The research will examine nitrogen and phosphorus enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, along with practices such as cover crops and nutrient stewardship principles. The goal is to provide farmers with information that can support management decisions involving fertilizer use, productivity, and profitability. All consortium-funded projects must follow field trial guidelines developed with input from academia, government, industry, and commodity groups. Cotton Incorporated and other crop organizations are also supporting the research.

Ethanol Production Holds Steady at Above Average

U.S. ethanol production held steady last week while remaining well above year-ago levels and the five-year average, according to Energy Information Administration data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. For the week ending September 11, ethanol output remained at 1.10 million barrels per day, or about 46.16 million gallons daily. Production was 4.2 percent higher than the same week last year and 11.9 percent above the five-year average. Ethanol stocks edged up to 25.2 million barrels, reaching a 19-week high. Inventories were 11.6 percent above year-ago levels and 13.9 percent above the five-year average. Gasoline supplied to the U.S. market increased 2.9 percent to 8.80 million barrels per day, while refiner and blender ethanol inputs rose slightly to 911,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, ethanol exports jumped 9.5 percent to 161,000 barrels per day, or about 6.8 million gallons daily.

Thursday Watch List

Markets

On Thursday, USDA will release the weekly Export Sales report at 7:30 a.m. CDT, with data as of September 10. In the afternoon, the monthly ERS Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook will be out at 2 p.m. CDT, along with the weekly Livestock Slaughter report at the same time.

Weather

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms from eastern Iowa into western Ohio will continue across these areas through the rest of the morning before trending drier Thursday afternoon. Isolated showers and storms could redevelop across northern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio Thursday evening while a broad area of scattered showers and storms develops across South Dakota and Nebraska.