Policy
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says the agency is hyper-focused on poultry, but no vaccine is yet available. The agency has ‘separate work streams’ to address the virus in the ‘cattle and dairy’ industries, but dairy is not part of USDA’s primary focus for now.
Tariff whiplash is consuming the commodity markets — and the possible impact is stirring up quite the debate. At present, President Trump says he’s sticking to his plan to impose additional tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China starting April 2.
USDA is directing expedited processing to get farmers economic relief payments based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for the 2024 crop year.
According to the Department of Government Efficiency website, these offices are located in 40 states, and the total savings from this move would add up to more than $60 million.
The agency will hold at least six listening sessions for stakeholders between late March and into April. Persons or organizations wishing to provide input will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.
While many farmers are comparing the current threats of tariffs and trade wars to the situation they endured in 2018, Joe Vaclavik believes this time will be better.
If U.S. agriculture fails to win its leg of this AI relay, it could have the same national security consequences as if the defense industry falls short in their AI mission.
The common thread among the nation’s farmers is building demand in 2025 both domestically and internationally.
With nearly half a billion in ag research funding at stake, according to data from former USAID contractor Jordan Schermerhorn, labs around the country are facing personnel layoffs, at best, and shutdown of hundreds of research projects, at worst.
The exemption, which will expire on April 2, covers the two largest U.S. trading partners. Trump had earlier only mentioned an exemption for Mexico, but the amendment he signed to his order for 25% levies on imports, which went into effect on Tuesday, covers Canada as well.
Mexico’s president said on Tuesday the country will respond to U.S. tariffs with a 25% tariff on U.S. goods, but she will hold off announcing the targeted products until Sunday.
President Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China have gone into effect. While the economic consequences are unknown, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has promised to have a plan ready for farmers, if needed.
China retaliated swiftly on Tuesday with 10% to 15% retaliatory levies impacting $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and food products, moving the world’s top two economies a step closer toward an all-out trade war.
A night of frozen G.I.’s paddling into hell. A night of blood and valor. A night of the disappeared.
Under the direction of Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, USDA is ready to roll out a number of programs that have been on hold pending review, and she’s pushing Congress to get to work on finishing a new farm bill.
While Canada and Mexico have taken measures to address U.S. concerns, China’s response remains muted, potentially setting the stage for further trade tensions.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins confirms those payments will be released before the March 21 current deadline in an exclusive interview with Farm Journal on Thursday morning. She also outlined the timing of the $1 billion just announced to combat avian flu.
President Trump says tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico will now take effect on April 2, 2025.
The look at corn and soybean acreage under current conditions will be among the key focal points during the event, but it will also be key to see how USDA paints an export outlook with so much uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade.
Trump said Monday that his planned 25% tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian exports to the U.S. “are going ahead on time, on schedule,” meaning the duties would take effect on March 4 at the conclusion of a one-month suspension.
Tara Smith, executive vice president of Torrey Advisory Group, joins the Top Producer podcast to discuss being an advocate for ag in Washington D.C., the future of the Farm Bill and the importance of crop insurance.
Time is running out for USDA to issue economic relief payments to farmers in the 90-day window set by Congress. According to some sources, producers are banking on the payments, even making business decisions based on projected payment calculations.
EPA’s said its decision underscores its commitment to maintaining consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for refiners and fuel suppliers. Administrator Zeldin highlighted ongoing efforts to collaborate with all stakeholders to maintain an affordable and stable fuel supply.
Following White House directives, USDA is honoring existing contracts with farmers, releasing approximately $20 million for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
During an exclusive interview with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at Top Producer Summit, Farm Journal asked if the Department of Government Efficiency will target farm programs.
Since being confirmed on Feb. 13, Secretary Rollins has been in the Washington D.C., USDA office for a few hours. Most of her time has been spent visiting farmers, ranchers and ag businesses in Kentucky, Kansas and at Top Producer Summit.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins kicked off the 2025 Top Producer Summit on Tuesday morning, detailing her plan to advocate for trade. ‘We want to find market access for all our products,’ Rollins said.
Among the secretary’s first public appearances since being confirmed last week, the fireside chat on Tuesday, Feb. 18, will cover key topics driving the future of agriculture.
A newly introduced bill and judicial review could stall some damage, but a number of U.S. producers will likely still feel economic pain. Funding cuts will also impact 19 land-grant university-based innovation labs in 17 states.
These customized levies, expected to be finalized by April, are designed to rebalance trade relationships and target unfair practices, including subsidies, regulations, and exchange rate manipulation.