Policy
Russia and China are simply not our friends.
Trump has long expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, a Danish territory, describing it as “absolutely necessary” for U.S. security. He also raised concerns over the Panama Canal, claiming its current operation by Chinese interests undermines American control of a critical trade route.
Canada is preparing for potential trade challenges following Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The Canadian government is considering a proactive approach, including the possible early release of a retaliatory tariff list.
Trudeau also announced parliament would be prorogued, or suspended, until March 24. That means an election is unlikely before May at the earliest, so Trudeau will remain in charge - at least initially - of dealing with the threat of crippling tariffs once U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), commits to fast-tracking Trump’s legislative agenda by May, which is perhaps the biggest bill in American history. There will be unprecedented spending cuts to help pay for it all, along with newly proposed tariffs on imported goods.
The Senate kicked off quietly as the House steals the spotlight to start 2025. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) plans to pass individual appropriations bills and a farm bill as well as focus on regular order and extended floor debates.
The first trading day of 2025 saw the U.S. dollar hit a two-year high, but the strength of the dollar in 2024 also had a major impact on commodity markets.
From a possible trade war to brewing discontent within the country, there are five significant trends poised to shape China in the coming year.
Here’s a snapshot of distribution by state and crop as well as per-acre payment rates by crop for the $9.8 billion in market relief payments for farmers.
Josh Linville from StoneX provides an outlook on 2025 fertilizer prices.
Will corporations, LLCs, and LPs be required to report Beneficial Ownership Information soon? Here’s the latest developments.
From trade and deregulation to alternative land uses and cash rent prices, ag economists have no shortage of issues on their radar for 2025.
Estimated payment rates per acre include $43.80 for corn, $30.61 for soybeans, $31.80 for wheat, $84.70 for cotton and rice payments are estimated at $69.66.
Nearly half of all farmworkers are undocumented, and industries such as dairy and meatpacking plants are especially vulnerable to labor shortages.
As the Trump administration prepares to return to the White House, these appointments signal a continuation of its previous agricultural policies and priorities, with experienced individuals who have both legal expertise and connections to the farming community.
The CR includes nearly $110 billion in disaster and farmer aid, which includes $10 billion in farmer aid and $21 billion ag disaster aid. $2 billion of that disaster aid is specifically for livestock producers. The measure also includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.
If the funding measure fails, USDA has a contingency plan in place for essential workers and services. The plan would retain a small number of administrative employees to oversee activities including disaster response and cybersecurity should funding lapse.
The same week Congress released the proposed CR that included $31 billion in aid for producers, a Farm Journal poll asked farmers for their thoughts on whether Congress should pass economic aid.
The stopgap deal to avoid a government shutdown includes $10 billion in direct payments for farmers, $21 bllion in ag disaster aid, a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill and year-round E15.
The House of Representatives released its Continuing Resolution text, which includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, $10 billion in farmer economic aid, $21 billion in ag disaster funding for 2023 and 2024 and year-round E15 sales.
A one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, tied to the continuing resolution, has sparked intense negotiations over economic assistance to farmers.
The eroding health of the overall farm economy was the emphasis of the latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, which is a survey of nearly 70 leading agricultural economists from across the country.
Agricultural groups said over the weekend they do not support year-end spending package sans economic aid for ag producers.
“I know people are concerned about the tariffs, but the fact is, [Trump] looks at tariffs as a way to get their attention and eventually to get better and reciprocal trade agreements,” says Terry Branstad.
As federal policy decisions tend to heavily impact rural industries, the outcome of the 2024 election promises to significantly shape the rural economy in the year ahead. CoBank’s annual report outlines what to expect.
Some economists think agriculture is in a recession. Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist for StoneX, is one of them. However, he believes comparisons to the 1980s are misguided.
While it’s unclear how Congress will push through the Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act, it’s likely going to be via the Continuing Resolution. Depending on how payments are calculated, farmers could receive $101 per acre for corn, $53 for soybeans and $73 for wheat.
Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico until they clamped down on drugs, particularly fentanyl, and migrants crossing the border, in a move that would appear to violate a free-trade deal.
In an announcement on Saturday, Trump said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”
Trump taps Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary, signaling tariff-heavy trade strategy. Lutnick has called the tariffs a negotiating tool that could be used to convince other countries to bring down their own levies or to force companies to move production to the U.S.