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The agency plans to cut staff to Reagan administration levels and shift research to office run by political appointees. Advocacy groups are concerned about scientific independence.

One farmer who was chased out of fields by rain this past weekend told Farm Journal, “This is the wettest drought I have ever seen.” There are some silver linings, though: soil-applied herbicides are being activated, the U.S. corn crop won’t all pollinate the same week and you have time to make stand counts where the crop has emerged.

Accounting for about 15% of USDA’s total workforce and representing FSA, NRCS, FSIS, APHIS and other departments, 3,877 staff signed contracts in February for the first deferred resignation program and 11,305 in the second round in April.

Livestock markets rounded out last week’s trade with a higher close. Thanks to a strong fundamental backdrop, that has propelled futures higher yet again. How much more upside is left?

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cash cattle trade was record high again last week with $223 live paid in much of the North and even a few $224 trades to a regional. Grains are mostly lower.

The stakes are high with the latest trade war. While the risks of losing more market share into China are a concern, the upside potential of a trade deal with China could be monumental.

Jon Scheve explains the complicated grain delivery process.

Weekly overview of ag commodity market news and price action compiled by Austin Schroeder with Brugler Marketing. Not intended as trading advice. Actions taken are responsibility of the reader.

Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, says there are several factors that indicate to him the chance to rally old crop corn to $5 is over.

“UAN is easily the most important topic right now,” says Josh Linville at StoneX. “That is because it is no longer a price story—it’s a ‘can you even find it supply story.’”