Policy Updates

From Compliance to Liability: How Court Decisions Threaten America’s Agricultural Supply Chain

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:34:27 GMT

By Daren Coppock, Agricultural Retailers Association President & CEO

Pesticide labels are not suggestions. Under federal law, they are binding rules.

For decades, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) has governed the review, labeling, and use of pesticides in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develops and approves pesticide labels. Once approved, those labels dictate how products may be sold, handled, and applied nationwide. Deviating from them is illegal, and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) strongly supports following labeling requirements.

A case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, Monsanto v. Durnell, threatens to unravel that system. If state tort claims are allowed to impose additional warning requirements beyond those approved by EPA, businesses that comply fully with federal law could still be held liable under state law. The result would be immediate disruption across the agricultural supply chain—higher costs, reduced access to vital tools, and increased uncertainty for the farmers who depend on them.

Why Uniform Labels Matter

FIFRA does not just regulate manufacturers; it imposes strict legal requirements throughout the supply chain. Agricultural retailers are prohibited from altering or supplementing pesticide labels, and professional applicators must apply products exactly as directed by the label. Any violation can bring substantial civil penalties.

Uniform labeling makes compliance possible; without it, federal law becomes a guessing game.

National uniformity is needed because retailers serve customers across multiple states. Insurers underwrite coverage based on predictable compliance rules, and farmers rely on timely access to lawfully labeled products during narrow planting and pest-control windows.

An Impossible Legal Conflict

State-law “failure to warn” claims argue that an EPA-approved label should have included additional warnings. But this contradicts FIFRA, which states that pesticide labels cannot be changed unilaterally.

Allowing state tort claims to impose different warning requirements creates an impossible bind: obey federal law and face state liability, or attempt to satisfy state law by breaking federal law. Congress did not intend for compliance itself to become grounds for punishment.

If national uniformity were to end, insurance premiums could increase, coverage could become harder to secure, and products farmers need could be pulled from shelves, even though they remain fully approved by the EPA. Costs would likely increase as service capacity decreased, and that pressure would flow directly down the supply chain to the farm gate.

Science Versus Jury Verdicts

FIFRA assigns responsibility for evaluating pesticide safety to the EPA, not to state courts. The agency makes those determinations through scientific review, public input, and a weighing of risks and benefits.

Tort litigation bypasses that process and asks juries to second-guess EPA’s scientific judgments years later, without access to the full regulatory record and without the agency itself as a party. If those verdicts can override FIFRA and federal approval, the result is a patchwork system in which legal obligations vary by state and evolve retroactively—requirements that retailers and applicators cannot comply with without violating federal law.

Why Glyphosate Matters Beyond One Case

The Supreme Court case centers on glyphosate, one of the most widely used and reviewed herbicides in American agriculture. EPA has repeatedly concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic when used as directed and has approved its labeling accordingly.

Glyphosate is affordable, effective, and integral to modern farming practices that reduce soil erosion, conserve fuel, and maintain yields. Retailers, applicators, and farmers rely on EPA’s determinations for every pesticide they sell, apply, or use.

If a product that has cleared decades of federal review can still be deemed unlawfully labeled under state law, no product is truly secure.

What’s at Stake

Congress designed FIFRA so pesticide safety decisions would be made prospectively, scientifically, and consistently. Undermining that framework turns compliance into liability—and jeopardizes farmer access to lawful, essential tools.

The Supreme Court’s decision may very well determine whether pesticide regulation remains grounded in science and federal law, or becomes a moving target shaped by courtroom verdicts. For American agriculture, the consequences would be immediate and real.

Preserving uniform federal labeling protects everyone who depends on the food system—and that means all of us.

Reciprocity and Balance: The New Blueprint for U.S. Agricultural Trade Agreements

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:01:52 GMT

Ambassador Julie Callahan is the chief ag negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative, and she reports positive momentum toward rebuilding trade agreements equating to a positive U.S. ag trade balance.

“We came into a situation in January 2025 where the US ag trade deficit was ballooning in a really unsustainable manner,” she says.

At the beginning of 2025, USDA forecasted a $50 billion deficit for U.S. agricultral trade.

“Compare that to an agricultural trade surplus in 2020 when President Trump left office, of a $6 billion surplus. So we were $56 billion in the hole, you might say, at the beginning of the administration, but through the efforts of the president ensuring trading partners understand they need to treat U.S. farmers and ranchers right, we are seeing real shifts in our trade balance and chipping away at the deficit toward a surplus.”

Trade Wins Highlighted by Government Officials

Callahan points to eight signed trade agreements with: Malaysia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Argentina, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Indonesia. She says these are binding agreements, where the foreign governments are:

lowering tariffs for U.S. ag products
removing unfair trade practices
and lifting regulatory barriers

“These are serious binding trade agreements that will deliver real value for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Callahan says. And when asked if Congressional action to codify agreements is necessary, Callahan says that action would be supported but should not be necessary.

“These foreign governments have made binding commitments in terms of adjusting tariff schedules, they are also making regulatory changes. USTR will be enforcing these agreements. They are enforceable.”

Examples of enforceable commitments include:

Indonesia removes its import licensing requirements
Malaysia accepts facilities on their registration list as long as FSIS has them on their list

The Future of the U.S./China Trade Relationship

At the 2026 Top Producer Summit, Lyu Jiang, minister for economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., characterized the U.S. and Chinese relationship being a phase of stabilization.

When prompted to react, Callahan agreed saying, “We very much want a stable, predictable, transactional relationship with our Chinese counterparts. We do want to normalize, bring reciprocity and balance back to our trade relationship and ensure that U.S. farmers, and ranchers can benefit from the Chinese market again.”

She says her office is balancing the agricultural stakeholders wanting access to the large-scale Chinese market with a strategy to also diversify trade partnerships as to not be too reliant on a single country.

“We are working through the agreement on reciprocal trade to diversify our markets so we don’t overly rely on China,” she says. “We are looking to address that very serious situation where China may see agriculture as a pain point for the United States.”

With the upcoming meeting of President Trump and President Xi in April, Callahan says her team and the larger U.S. trade team is working to prepare and set the stage for a positive outcome. Callahan points to specific issues to be worked through and market focuses spanning crops and livestock.

“Both sides want the meetings to be a success,” she says. “Certainly, in the meetings leading up to the president level discussion, we will be having open and frank conversations with China where we need to see areas of improvement. That’s not limited to soybeans to sorghum. Our beef producers don’t have access to China due to China’s unfortunate actions that are not renewing facility registrations.”

The Review of USMCA

With a goal of “reciprocity and balance across north America” the trade team is working on its review of the North American trade deal.

“We absolutely understand the importance of USMCA for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Callahan says.

Describing this as a “comprehensive review” she says that spans:

Look at what is working
Maintain what is working
Improve on areas not be delivering the benefits U.S. farmers and ranchers expect

She brings up the overall trade balance with Canada and specifically, Canadian dairy.

“With Canada, we went from a $3 billion deficit in 2020 and now we have an $11 billion ag trade deficit. So there are certainly areas for improvement, and we’re taking all of our stakeholders’ comments into consideration,” Callahan says.

In The Bull's-Eye For USDA: Foreign-Owned Land, Breaking Up Anti-Competitive Practices and More

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:12:17 GMT

USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden outlined a list of priority topics for the agency in 2026 during a recent webinar hosted by the National Ag Law Center. Vaden leads the department’s operations and implements policies that support America’s food and farm systems.

Included in his remarks:

Antitrust and Competition. Vaden says antitrust laws exist for a reason: when an industry gets too concentrated, certain actions undermine free enterprise.

“There are signs that that may be happening in American agriculture. That’s why President Trump has signed at least two executive orders asking USDA to work with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate these antitrust concerns,” he says.

He shares three examples — two in farm equipment and one in crop inputs.

“This administration thinks farmers should be able to repair their own equipment, and the industry’s efforts to prevent them from doing so are illegal,” he says. “That’s why this administration’s Federal Trade Commission is currently suing John Deere and some of the fellow equipment manufacturers to stand up for American farmers’ rights to repair their own equipment and to not to have to suffer under a system where, when their equipment breaks down in the field, they have to call a John Deere dealer, for example, and wait for them to send out someone to fix a simple issue that the farmer can repair him or herself — costing them time, productivity and money.”

He also says the administration is looking into how manufacturers distribute and sell their equipment. Specifically, the geography assignment and trade territories of dealers are being questioned in light of any price differences.

“If you should happen to pick any other dealer than the one they designate as your local dealer, they’ll charge you more for the same piece of equipment — the exact same piece equipment. There’s a financial penalty, which is prohibitive to you exercising choice over which dealer you use to buy your equipment — eliminating the ability to compete on the basis of price,” Vaden says.

He adds the exclusive use of OEM parts at the dealership adds costs to farmers.

“So, all of these three things, when added together, limiting your choice of where you can buy, and then when you have purchased a piece of equipment, preventing you from repairing it, and preventing you from using anybody else’s other than their own parts, give them more pricing power and allow them to drive up the cost of not only purchasing the equipment, but of ownership and operating the equipment — all which goes directly to their bottom line,” Vaden says.

John Deere provided Farm Journal with the following statement from Deanna Kovar, President, Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division for Production & Precision Agriculture:

“For nearly 190 years, John Deere has been committed to providing best-in-class support for farmers and ranchers, and we know just how important our network of more than 1,600 Agriculture & Turf dealer locations supported by more than 50,000 dealer employees across the U.S. are to that commitment. Importantly, because dealer trade areas are not exclusive, our customers can choose to work with any John Deere Agriculture & Turf dealer in the U.S. and John Deere does not penalize customers or dealers for doing business outside of a dealer’s assigned area of responsibility.

At the same time, we wholeheartedly agree that farmers should be able to repair their own equipment, and that’s why John Deere offers an industry-leading self-repair tool like John Deere Operations Center PRO Service. Our approach is simple - whether you want to work with your trusted John Deere dealer, a local service provider, or do the work yourself, we empower you to choose how your equipment is maintained, diagnosed, and repaired. For more on our commitment, customers are encouraged to visit www.JohnDeere.com/RunItYourWay.”

Vaden directed his farm input comments to the fertilizer sector.

“The duopoly that is Mosaic and Nutrien and their successful efforts over the past several years to constrain fertilizer supply in this country and drive up the costs that farmers are paying,” he says. “This administration is going to do everything it can to ensure that farmers have the fertilizer they need, at a price that they can pay, and a price it allows food to be purchased at the price the consumer can pay.”

He says a new company, BHP, will enter the mining sector for potash in Saskatchewan, Canada, with a $13 billion investment in a mine that should be operational by mid-2027, with exports coming into the U.S.

“We’re not going allow these two companies to do anything to undermine this or any other new market participant that wants to come in, provide new fertilizer supply and break up the cute little game that Mosaic and Nutrien have been playing for the last several years,” Vaden says.

Farm Journal reached out to Mosaic and Nutrien for comment, but they did not respond.

In a previous role, Vaden served on the U.S. Court for International Trade and oversaw the case regarding countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate.

Foreign Land Ownership. USDA recently unveiled a new online portal to report foreign-owned agricultural land transactions. Vaden previewed this new tool as a modernized way to help USDA enforce regulations that have been on the books since 1978.

“AFITA, the Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, has required any time a foreign person comes in possession of farmland here in the United States, they are required to register with USDA. Now in all honesty, over the past nearly 50 years, that statute has probably been ignored more often than it has been followed,” Vaden says.

Biofuels Policy. “We need a proper biofuels policy to open up domestic demand. The Secretary has endorsed E-15,” Vaden says. “We need Congress to pass that. That’s going to instantly result in at least 50% more corn usage for ethanol, meaning millions of more bushels will need to be purchased from American farmers to meet that increased biofuel demand.”

Vaden credits EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and his team for their RVO rule, which sets ‘aggressive’ targets.

“The targets that they have set are aggressive. Some of the most aggressive that have ever been set,” Vaden says. “But what’s equally critical is that, for the first time, the EPA is proposing to make those targeted numbers — which make the headlines, real. Because they’re proposing, for the first time ever, to reallocate volumes that have been waived through the small refinery waiver exemption.”

He adds: “For the first time ever, that top line number — which gets so much attention as to how many gallons of biofuels we need to blend — it’ll be true. And that’s saying something. That will make a difference.”

Pesticide Regulation. Late last week, it was announced the Supreme Court would take up the Durnell case, which is related to Roundup litigation.

“I’m glad the Supreme Court saw that. I’m glad that they took the Solicitor General’s suggestion that they hear this case. And I hope they’ll listen very carefully to what Solicitor General Sauer and his team have to say as this case is briefed and argued. Because this really could make the difference in between whether America is able to retain its status as the innovation leader in agriculture or whether we potentially have a threat to lose that crown because we’re going to let juries second guess PhD experts who’ve spent decades at this work,” Vaden says.

In favor of federal preemption, Vaden goes on to detail the years of paperwork, approval and regulatory steps EPA regulates every commercially available chemical under.

“We have the EPA relying on decades and decades of scientific study, which shows the label they have approved is sufficient to tell farmers how to use the product without harming themselves or the environment, or anyone else,” Vaden says. “And we have that being second-guessed by juries located in jurisdictions specially selected by trial lawyers who know where there is a jury pool that is more than willing to engage in jackpot justice, listen to them weave their tale and then write incredibly large numbers down on the verdict floor. And those two things cannot coexist in a world where the statute is clear that it is EPA that regulates these chemicals.”

USDA Reorganization. Vaden says the agency is being transparent, thoughtful and strategic in its announced reorganization.

“We have a footprint in D.C. that calling it ‘underused’ is diplomatic. The south building can seat 7,500 employees. On its busiest day — we require everyone to come into the office — that building hasn’t reached 40% occupancy,” he says. “As a business manager or managing tax payer money, it makes no sense to keep up facilities that are largely empty.”

Vaden says it’s time to make the department footprint match its needs. Regular updates are being posted to USDA.gov/reorg, but the under secretary says implementation is going on right now with forthcoming announcements on locations for its new hub model.

“I signed a memorandum, USDA can start to enter into leases. They are already government owned or leased. But they are newer, tech adept and ready for us to move into,” he says. “This is at no additional cost to the taxpayer, but at less cost, because they don’t have the $2.2 billion in backlog maintenance. As we go forward this year, you’ll see leases, you’ll see notices to employees who we request to move to the hub. And taking into account employees have kids in school, the move will take place after the end of this school year. So they are able to move during the summer and are settled before the school year begins.”

No Farm Aid in Funding Bills

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:13:46 GMT

Farm leaders urged lawmakers to work quickly to include additional aid for farmers and language aimed at allowing year-round use of 15% ethanol blended gasoline, or E15, in appropriations bills being drafted this month.

“Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have assured us in recent weeks that they recognize more aid is needed to keep our food supply strong, which requires a strong agricultural sector,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, in a statement. “Many have also voiced strong support for approving year-round E15 fuel, which would be a win-win for consumers and farmers by reducing the price of fuel at the pump while increasing demand for both corn and sorghum.

“The target for months has been to include both priorities in the government funding package. So, it was a shock to see bill text proposed by the House that includes neither,” Duvall wrote. “There is still time. Congress must act.”

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance leaders also expressed disappointment, and were still chafing after aid announced last year allotted just $1 billion out of a $12 billion package to specialty crops. Details on specialty-crop payments are still awaited.

Alliance co-chair Cathy Burns of the International Fresh Produce Association told Brownfield Ag Network that last year’s package should have set aside no less than a third of funds for specialty crop producers. “Specialty crops account for one-third of crop sales in the U.S., and we have the same harmful headwinds that the rest of agriculture is experiencing,” Burns said.

She told the radio network that $5 billion in relief would help alleviate some of the unprecedented economic challenges facing growers from labor, input costs, lost markets, and unfair competition from competitors.

5 Key Ag Policy Changes Farmers Should Watch in 2026

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:03:29 GMT

Jim Wiesemeyer, a Washington, D.C.-based policy analyst, says this past year has brought renewed turbulence in trade and farm support, and for the year ahead, farmers can expect more of the same in terms of how policies interact within disciplines and in an accelerated fashion.

“You can’t just look at ‘ag’ or ‘farm policy’ any longer,” he says. “It’s interrelated.”

He points to examples in animal health and border policy, as well as biofuels and tax credits.

That’s one big takeaway from the past year in how agricultural policy (and politics) have evolved. Here are a handful more from Wiesemeyer’s recent appearance on “AgriTalk” with Chip Flory:

1. Domestic Ag Policy Expands Into Geopolitical Issues

“Look at when Treasury Secretary [Scott] Bessent announced the bond swap with Argentina. It zapped soybeans and affected the timing of Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans,” Wiesemeyer says. “That was almost an off-the-cuff statement, and it had major implications.”

Regarding trade, he says while international outreach has to continue, the disconnect in U.S.-China trade relations will continue to unfold with repercussions.

“With U.S. and China trade, it’s a truce. I tell farmers don’t think this won’t linger for multiple years. We are in a geopolitical war with China,” he says.

The impact will be twofold:

First, U.S. officials need to continue to do market development to expand market share in other countries, and this includes ag goods beyond soybeans.
Second, it increases even more in the need for domestic utilization. That includes food policy and ag energy policy, but Wiesemeyer adds he doesn’t expect to see renewable fuels mandates announced until late next year.

2. There Are Question Marks Around Additional Farmer Aid

Wiesemeyer says legislators have said they are talking about more financial assistance programs for farmers, however, he doesn’t see a frictionless discussion surrounding the topic.

“Because not only of Republicans, but also a number of Democrats who say there are other issues to resolve before we sign off on this. But the verdict is out if they’ll succeed,” he says.

3. Consumer Pricing Directs a Lot of Dialogue

From the president’s comments about beef prices being too high to the repetitive use of “affordability” around food prices, Wiesemeyer sees the subject of consumer pricing continuing to garner attention.

4. The Brouhaha About MAHA

Wiesemeyer has a bit of a warning about the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. While the latest report showed a more “practical” approach to the use of pesticides and modern ag technologies, he says there is more to come from a policy standpoint.

“We’re going to get the first serious definition of ultra-processed food. We’ve had legal cases in California, where some companies are being challenged on the impacts of ultra-processed food in children. The next commission report will be important,” he says.

5. Will Government Deregulation Equal Economic Growth?

“Federal government deregulation will hit overdrive in 2026,” Wiesemeyer says.

He says Trump’s approach to simplifying permitting processes, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, could bring lower energy prices — a continuation of the trend in gasoline prices plus the promise of lowering or tempering the run-up in electricity prices.

“That combination plus the One Big Beautiful Bill being implemented in ’26, I think we’re going to have a good economy and GDP,” he says.

USDA Provides Shock and Disappointment in November Reports

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:30:27 GMT

The long-awaited supply and demand reports from USDA are now out, but they did little to spur the grain market in a positive direction at the end of last week. The biggest shocks came from USDA cutting corn yield less than a bushel and lowering soybean exports by 50 million bushels, while still acknowledging the China purchase commitments.

While the corn crop shrank since September, the U.S. is still looking at record production and yield at 186 bu. per acre.

USDA cut corn yields 3 bu. in Iowa and 6 bu. in Minnesota, but it raised yields in Illinois by 2 bu. and South Dakota by 6 bu. The national yield was lowered by only 0.7 bu., a shock to market analysts based on disease and production issues.

“There’s some awfully good corn out there this year,” says Matt Bennett, AgMarket.Net. “Corn that performed better than what you would expect for the kind of weather we had, but there was also some train wrecks and a lot of growers who indicated to us their crop was good, it just wasn’t quite as good as a year ago, so we were shocked to see a 186 yield.”

The corn yield cut lowered production by 62 million bushels.

(Farm Journal)

A 207-million-bushel increase in carry-in increased 2025-26 carryout, by 44 million, to just under 2.2 billion bushels. USDA offset part of the supply increase by raising corn exports by 100 million bushels based on current sales to a record 3.1 billion bushels.

“You could make the case that number could have looked a lot worse from a carryout standpoint today if they were going to keep that corn yield as strong as what they did,” Bennett says. “Bottom line is these exports are impressive to say the least.”

However, the carryout is still bearish for corn prices.

“You’d stand to reason we should move lower with 2 .1 billion bushels,” he adds.

(Farm Journal)

USDA lowered soybean yields a half bushel to 53 bu. per acre, matching trade expectations, and that lowered production by 48 million bushels, so not a surprise to Bennett.

“Some of these early-planted beans were phenomenal, quite frankly,” Bennett says. “You get out into late-planted beans, it’s a little different story. There were a lot of extremely dry beans. I’ve got to think this moisture content being so low in the eastern Corn Belt, similar to what we saw in the western Corn Belt a year ago, probably factored in to dial that yield back just a little bit.”

The disappointment for the soybean bulls came with USDA lowering exports by 50 million bushels despite acknowledging the soybean sales commitments from China in the recent trade framework.

“I think they’re concerned about Chinese business showing up,” Bennett says. “Other than China, we’re going to have a hard time competing. As of right now, we’re certainly a little more expensive on the world market than what Brazil origin beans are.”

The compiled backlog of daily export sales, which showed just 12.2 million of soybeans sold to China and 22.6 million to unknown, also fell short of expectations.

“As far as these daily announcements go, that was a big disappointment, seeing that China really hadn’t done much of anything,” Bennett says.

For wheat, the report was bearish as U.S. carryout was raised 58 million bushels and global stocks surged 7.4 mmt higher.

Trump Expands Critical Minerals List to Copper, Met Coal, Uranium

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT

The Trump administration on Thursday added 10 minerals to a list it deems essential for the U.S. economy and national security, including copper, vital to electric vehicles, power grids, and data centers, and metallurgical coal, used to make coke fuel for steel production.

The Interior Department’s critical minerals list guides federal investments and permitting decisions and helps shape the government’s broader minerals strategy.

The administration is expanding the list amid efforts to boost domestic mining and cut reliance on imports, particularly from economic rival China.

LIST GUIDES FEDERAL INCENTIVES

The list serves as a blueprint for Washington’s push to secure supplies of materials needed for defense, manufacturing, and clean energy technologies. It determines which projects qualify for federal incentives, informs national stockpiling and research priorities, and signals to private investors where the government sees long-term strategic value.

Officials and industry leaders say strengthening domestic production could help insulate the U.S. from potential supply shocks or export restrictions imposed by competitors like China, which dominates global refining of many critical minerals.

Doug Burgum, the interior secretary, said the expanded list “provides a clear, data-driven road map to reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries, expand domestic production and unleash American innovation.”

The new list also includes uranium, which is enriched to fuel nuclear reactors, boron, lead, phosphate, potash, rhenium, silicon, and silver.

Environmentalists slammed the move. Cameron Walkup, of Earthjustice Action, said the administration was ignoring economics, violating the law and opening the door for agencies to rubber-stamp projects with insufficient protections for communities from pollution. “Instead of prioritizing corporate profits, we should focus on real solutions to meet our mineral supply chain needs by rapidly scaling up reuse and responsible recycling of critical minerals and updating our mining laws.”

Potash and phosphate are used as fertilizers to grow crops around the world. “These are two minerals where stable supplies are absolutely necessary to fill our plates and feed our communities,” said Corey Rosenbusch, CEO of The Fertilizer Institute.

Potash was on an original 2018 list, but neither phosphate nor potash was included when it was updated in 2022, the institute said.

U.S. COPPER OUTPUT LESS PROFITABLE

Copper is used widely across the global economy in power generation, electronics and construction.

Freeport-McMoRan FCX.N, the largest U.S. copper producer with seven mines and controls of one of the country’s two smelters, said this year it could generate more than $500 million annually in tax credits tied to the 2022 U.S. Inflation Reduction Act if the red metal were declared critical. The Phoenix-based company was not immediately available to comment on Thursday.

The average grade, or percentage of copper in rock deposits, in Freeport’s U.S. mines is lower than elsewhere, boosting costs and making the U.S. the company’s least profitable region. That fact largely explains why Freeport pushed for the designation.

“We’re not looking for handouts, but if the government is trying to incentivize domestic (copper) production, it’s important to recognize that the U.S. doesn’t have the same grades that we have internationally,” Freeport CEO Kathleen Quirk told Reuters in March.

Rio Tinto RIO.AX, which operates the other U.S. copper smelter, send the new list “sends a clear signal that America is committed to building resilient supply chains for the technologies that will define our future.”

Putting met coal on the list aligns with President Donald Trump ‘s support of fossil fuels. Some U.S. met coal mines have shut in recent months amid ample supply and a reduction in exports to China, which put an additional 15% tariff on imports of U.S. coal this year.

Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association, said it will continue to seek the expansion of the list to “ensure that the U.S. has the abundant domestic resources it needs, when it needs them.”

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw, Ernest Scheyder and Timothy Gardner; additional reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago; Editing by Paul Simao, Rod Nickel)

USDA Cuts Corn and Soybean Yields in September WASDE but Could Final Yields Fall Below 2024?

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:42:40 GMT

USDA made a cut in yields to the nation’s corn and soybean crops in the September Supply and Demand report on Friday.

Even with the cuts, the agency is still calling for big production numbers, with corn yields projected to be 186.7 bu. per acre; that’s down more than 2 bu. from last month. But production numbers are now at a record 16.8 billion bushels, up 72 million bushels due to an increase in acres.

For soybeans, USDA is forecasting a yield of 53.5 bu. per acre. That’s down .1 bu. from last month with production now expected to be 4.3 billion bushels.

(2025 September Crop Production - Corn, WASDE)

Old crop ending stocks for corn were pegged at 1.3 billion bu., up slightly from August. Soybeans and wheat are unchanged. And new crop corn is now at 2.11 billion bu., down a bit from last month.

(2025 September Crop Production - Soybeans, WASDE)

New crop soybean ending stocks are at 300 million, up 10 mi. bu. from last month while wheat carryover was cut 25 million bu. to 844 million bushels.

The trade expected the cut in corn yield, but not the increase in production. It was a function of USDA again raising harvested acres by 1.3 million to 90 million acres, the highest since 1933.

Market analysts say with USDA lowering corn yield by 2.1 bu. per acre to 186.7, it is an early acknowledgment that yield and production will need to come down in future reports.

However, they don’t believe the impact of disease pressure and a dry finish to the corn crop are fully accounted for. They say early harvest reports are already indicating corn yields well below last year and predict USDA will need to drop yield in the future, maybe below last year’s 179.3 bu. final.

(2025 September Ending Stocks, WASDE)

“I don’t know if we’re going to make 175 as a nation,” says Darren Frye, president, Water Street Solutions. “The reason I say that, we’ve had so much disease, and disease can take a yield from 250 to 180 pretty quick in a field. So, if you have enough of that across Iowa, Illinois and in Nebraska, southern Minnesota, it’s really going to hurt, and it’s going to be really difficult to keep that average above last year.”

Soybean yields were shaved by 0.1 bu. to 53.5, but analysts say they are also likely to drop in the future due to disease pressure across the Corn Belt and frost damage in the North. Plus, there were parts of the Eastern Corn Belt recording the driest August in over 130 years.

“I mean, there’s multiple reports from across the Corn Belt of growers seeing pods on the ground,” says Matt Bennett, AgMarkret.net. “They just simply aborted. And so where do I see yields going? I think you’re going to have to come down 2 bu. to 3 bu. from here. I think that in October, you’ll probably get a revision lower, but where you’re really going to see damage, which I think Darren alluded to, is the later planted beans.”

Bennett thinks that could drop the final national soybean yield below last year to around 50 bu. per acre.

He says it might take that big of a yield cut to keep ending stocks around 300 million bushels on soybeans, because analysts say that doesn’t fully account for lost export demand to China.

US Soybean Farmers Urge Trump to Make Purchase Deal with China

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:02:00 GMT

U.S. soybean farmers urged President Donald Trump in a Tuesday letter to reach a trade deal with China that secures significant soybean purchase agreements, warning of dire long-term economic outcomes if the country continues to shun the U.S. crop.

China, the world’s largest soybean buyer, is turning to Brazilian cargoes amid trade tensions with the U.S. and ongoing negotiations. The country has not pre-purchased soybeans from the upcoming U.S. harvest, an unusual delay that has worried traders and farmers.

“Soybean farmers are under extreme financial stress. Prices continue to drop and at the same time our farmers are paying significantly more for inputs and equipment. U.S. soybean farmers cannot survive a prolonged trade dispute with our largest customer,” said the letter sent from the American Soybean Association to Trump on Tuesday.

China’s turn to Brazilian soybeans could cost U.S. farmers billions. China bought 54% of U.S. soybean exports in the 2023-2024 marketing year, worth $13.2 billion, according to the ASA. The country’s soybean imports hit a record July high this year.

Soybean prices jumped after an August 11 post from Trump on Truth Social urging China to quadruple its soybean purchases. However, farmers said they doubted such a large increase was possible.

“The further into the autumn we get without reaching an agreement with China on soybeans, the worse the impacts will be on U.S. soybean farmers,” said the letter.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Andrea Ricci)

Trump Urges China to Quadruple Soybean Orders

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:13:20 GMT

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday urged China to quadruple its soybean purchases ahead of a key tariff truce deadline, sending Chicago soybean prices higher, though analysts were quick to question the feasibility of any such deal.

In a late night post on Truth Social, Trump said China was worried about a shortage of soybeans and he hoped it would quickly quadruple its soybean orders from the U.S.

“Rapid service will be provided. Thank you President XI,” Trump said in his post.

China is worried about its shortage of soybeans. Our great farmers produce the most robust soybeans. I hope China will quickly quadruple its soybean orders. This is also a way of substantially reducing China’s Trade Deficit with the USA. Rapid service will be provided. Thank you…
— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 11, 2025

The most active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Sv1 jumped 2.38% to $10.11 a bushel at 0637 GMT on Monday after Trump’s post. The contract was steady earlier.

China, the world’s largest soybean buyer, imported roughly 105 million metric tons last year, just under a quarter coming from the U.S. and most of the remainder from Brazil. Quadrupling shipments would require China to import the bulk of its soybeans from the U.S.

“It’s highly unlikely that China would ever buy four times its usual volume of soybeans from the U.S.,” said Johnny Xiang, founder of Beijing-based AgRadar Consulting.

While I appreciate the enthusiasm of Pres Trump wanting to quadruple US #soy exports to #China, we are currently expecting to grow a 4.3 bil bu crop & we export 1.7 bil bu (approx half of that slated for China already). Quadrupling our exports to them would consume most our crop. pic.twitter.com/XeiKg2cljJ
— Naomi Blohm (@naomiblohm) August 11, 2025

A tariff truce between Beijing and Washington is set to expire on August 12, but the Trump administration has hinted that the deadline may be extended. It is unclear if securing China’s agreement to buy more U.S. soybeans is a condition for extending the truce as Trump looks to reduce China’s trade surplus with the U.S.

China’s soymeal futures DSMcv1 fell 0.65% to 3,068 yuan per metric ton on expectations U.S. imports could increase supply.

China’s Ministry of Commerce did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Under the Phase One trade deal signed during Trump’s first term, China agreed to boost purchases of U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans. However, Beijing fell far short of meeting those targets.

This year, amid Washington–Beijing trade tensions, it has yet to buy any fourth quarter U.S. beans, fuelling concerns as the U.S. harvest export season approaches.

“On Beijing’s side, there have been quite a few signals that China is prepared to forego U.S. soybeans altogether this year, including booking those test cargoes of soymeal from Argentina,” said Even Rogers Pay, an agricultural analyst at Trivium China.

Reuters previously reported that Chinese feedmakers have purchased three Argentine soymeal cargoes as they aim to secure cheaper South American supplies amid concerns about a possible soybean supply disruption in the fourth quarter.

U.S. soybean industry has been seeking alternative buyers, but no other country matches China’s scale. Last year, China imported 22.13 million tons of soybeans from the U.S., and 74.65 million tons from Brazil.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru and Ella Cao in Beijing; Additional reporting by Kevin Yao; Editing by Jamie Freed, Jacqueline Wong and Sonali Paul)

Japan Vows More U.S. Rice Imports Within Tariff-Free Quota

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:15:58 GMT

Japan will import more rice from the United States but within the existing tariff-free quota, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday, stressing Tokyo’s success in protecting the agricultural sector in agreeing a bilateral trade deal.

After months of negotiations, the two countries struck a deal to lower the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” to 15% from a proposed 25%, and said increased rice shipments from the U.S. to Japan was part of that deal.

Under a World Trade Organization (WTO) “minimum access” framework introduced in 1995, Japan imports about 770,000 metric tons of rice tariff-free every year. Last fiscal year, the U.S. accounted for 45% of the total.

“We made absolutely no sacrifice in the agricultural sector,” Ishiba told reporters.

“Import volumes will remain within the minimum access framework and we retain the discretion over how much and what type (of rice) to import from each country,” he said.

Announcing the trade deal on Tuesday in Washington, President Donald Trump said Japan would increase market access to American producers of cars, trucks, rice and certain agricultural products, among other items. Neither country disclosed what other farm products were included, but Ishiba said the deal did not include a lowering of tariffs.

Beyond the minimum access framework, Japan imposes a levy of 341 yen ($2.36) per kg of rice, which has, for the most part, effectively priced imports out of the market.

While these imports have typically been negligible due to Japan’s self-sufficiency for its staple grain, the country has imported historically high amounts over the past year due to a shortage and ensuing spike in the price of home-grown rice.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko, Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)

USDA Ends Consideration of Race, Gender in Many Farm Programs

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 15:44:14 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an about face on Thursday with regard to how it will consider farmer applications for loans and programs, moving forward.

Specifically, the agency says it will no longer consider a farmer’s gender or race in the decision-making process for how dollars in such programs will be awarded.

The decision ends a longstanding effort by the agency and the Trump administration to address bias and discrimination.

“Moving forward, USDA will no longer apply race- or sex-based criteria in its decision-making processes, ensuring that its programs are administered in a manner that upholds the principles of meritocracy, fairness, and equal opportunity for all participants,” said acting General Counsel Ralph Linden.

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, roughly 4.5% of farmers are considered persons of color or of mixed race.

The New Rule Is In Effect

While many rules are posted as a draft first for public comment, agency officials posted this rule in its finalized form without soliciting input. The rule went into effect immediately, July 10.

“These actions collectively support the conclusion that past discrimination has been sufficiently addressed and that further race- and sex-based remedies are no longer necessary or legally justified under current circumstances,” a consortium wrote in the Federal Register.

The groups weighing in included: Office of the Secretary, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Commodity Credit Corporation, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

Trump Administration Dismantles DEI Policies

The new rule is part of the Trump administration’s directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the federal government.

In a prepared statement, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins reprimanded former President Joe Biden and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, respectively, for looking at “any way possible to give taxpayer dollars to anyone they could based on the color of their skin, not based on merit or need.”

Rollins added, as long as she is Secretary of Agriculture, “when we find leftover Biden discrimination in our programs, we will hold those persons who have committed these insidious acts accountable and take swift action to correct these illegal actions.”

Previous Lawsuits Played A Role

In making the new rule, USDA referenced various lawsuits over its prioritization of racial groups.

Black farmers and other groups in agriculture have long alleged discrimination in the agency’s lending and farm programs. As recently as 2024, the USDA made payments to tens of thousands of farmers who experienced past bias.

In addition, white farmers, some backed by prominent Republicans, have sued the agency, claiming discrimination.

Your next read: Is This The Starting Point for A New Farm Bill?

250-Plus Ag Groups Ask Trump Administration To ‘Correct’ MAHA Commission’s ‘Activities’

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:34:56 GMT

Four weeks have passed since the Make Our Children Healthy Again: Assessment (MAHA report) was released. Since that time, the report has drawn criticism from farmers and various state and national agricultural groups that are focused on crop and livestock production.

One overarching concern the various groups and farmers cite, is what actions and practices will the MAHA Commission recommend in their follow-up report, which is due for release by Aug. 12, 2025.

Ag Groups Ask For A Course Correction

Concern about the MAHA report led 250-plus agriculture groups to ask the Trump administration to “correct” the direction of its Make America Healthy Again goals, in a letter dated June 13. The letter was addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.’

Groups signing the letter included: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

In the letter, the groups criticized the MAHA Commission’s “lack of transparency” in creating the report, adding it also did not allow any opportunity for public engagement.

“As a result, the report contained numerous errors and distortions that have created unfounded fears about the safety of our food supply,” the letter says. “Your leadership is greatly needed to correct the Commission’s activities, as well as create processes for greater transparency and input.”

In an article published by NOTUS, a digital news outlet, reporters noted the MAHA report contained a number of citation errors and “false claims” that could have been avoided with better industry input ahead of the commission’s report release.

Farmers Say ‘Use Some Common Sense’

The MAHA report, with regard to the use of crop protection products, specifically calls out atrazine, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of Modern Ag Alliance, says the commission’s decision to call out specific chemistries, while no surprise, is concerning nonetheless.

“I think that’s something that every farmer, regardless of what part of agriculture you’re involved in, should be concerned about,” she told AgriTalk Host Chip Flory on Thursday.

Albert Lea, Minn., farmer, Brad Nelson, says he is concerned about the future of crop protection products but hopes “common sense” will prevail. He describes the finger-pointing at glyphosate, in particular, as bogus.

“We have used Roundup in the Midwest, myself personally, for 40-some years, and the retailers around me have done the same. And you know what, there’s no cancer,” Nelson says. “If it was a problem, it would be rampant. Hopefully common sense will rule the day, and the studies that have gone on for years and years and years will finally get believed.”

Burns-Thompson says she wonders whether the people involved in developing the MAHA report action plan understand how the chemistries in question have helped modernize farming practices – in some cases even helping reduce farmers’ reliance on pesticides and contributing to conservation farming efforts.

Her recommendation to other farmers at this point: talk with your local, state and federal government officials. Educate them on how the targeted chemistries support food production and consumers’ well-being.

“It’s important that we are reaching out to these individuals all the way up and down the political hierarchy, and inviting them out to our farms, talking to them about why we do things, and making it very practical, so that they understand not only the what, but the why and the how,” she says.

Where To From Here?

The 250 ag groups, in the June 13 letter to Kennedy, Rollins and Zeldin, have asked the Commission to hold a public comment period for all of its future reports and activities.

“… We urge the administration to formally include farmers, ranchers, and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process throughout all future work of the Commission. We also advise the administration to create the opportunity for public comment on all future reports and activities of the Commission.”

For her part, Burns-Thompson wants more farmers at the table, able to share their perspective on what kind of practices the action plan should detail.

“What’s the voice of the farmer in all this? It needs to be part of this, right? It’s one thing to have the Department of Agriculture at the table, but I think there’s no such thing as too many farmer voices,” she says.

Catch the AgriTalk discussion with Burns-Thompson here:

Your next read: Is Food Inflation Heating Up July 4th Grills?

Senate GOP Unveils Ag Provisions in Reconciliation Bill

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:09:45 GMT

Senate Republicans on Wednesday released the agriculture section of their budget reconciliation bill, closely mirroring the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill on core farm policy reforms. Like the House, the Senate version includes increased reference prices and a provision for a voluntary base update for farm program eligibility. The Senate Ag Committee also adopted the House’s proposal to shift some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit costs to states. However, the Senate softened the impact by proposing lower state cost-share rates than the House, though both versions use state SNAP error rates to determine each state’s obligation. A key structural change in both bills would raise states’ share of SNAP administrative costs from 50% to 75%, increasing pressure on state budgets even as the federal government continues covering the full cost of benefits. Fiscal impact:

Senate bill net savings: $144 billion over 10 years
House bill net savings: $238 billion over 10 years

This divergence signals continuing negotiations between chambers as Republicans seek to finalize President Trump’s full reconciliation package this summer.
Get the latest ag policy news from Pro Farmer.

Quiet Crisis, Unfolding Rapidly: Big Questions Remain For Next Gen Farmers

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:14:59 GMT

Florida fresh produce grower Jim Alderman says one thing is his biggest worry.

“Who is coming behind us? That’s the part that keeps me up at night. It’s not just about growing crops, it also passing down knowledge, discipline and our way of life,” he said during a recent congressional hearing on the aging workforce in agriculture.

Earlier this year, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) spearheaded a special committee report on America’s Aging Farm Workforce.

Four drivers were highlighted:

Aging demographics
Declining farm numbers
Barriers for new farmers
Regulatory and economic pressures

As a follow up, on June 4, the senate special committee he oversees had a hearing “America’s Vanishing Family Farms.”

“Unfortunately, the farming and agricultural workforce is aging and nearing retirement, and fewer and fewer young people are looking to take over their family’s farms or enter the agriculture industry,” Sen. Scott said. “We face significant challenges to agricultural production, rural community sustainability, and U.S. food security. Here’s why this matters: U.S. food security is national security.”

Recent stats he points to include:

1/3 of farmers and ranchers are over the age of 65
This same group owns more than 40% of U.S. farmland
More than 80% of farmers work a second job
Since 2007, 200,000 farms have disappeared
The 2022 census showed the loss of over 140,000 farms in 5 years. That’s an average of 77 farms per day. 
Since 2007, more than 40 million acres of farmland is now used for commercial, residential or industrial purposes
Farmland prices have increased 7% in three years

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) is ranking member on the special committee for aging and said, “To encourage younger generation to returning to Farmer we farming, we must invest in our rural communities.”

Witnesses shared testimony highlighting the pain points, overall trends and discussed potential policy solutions.

“As I travel the country and see farms across our great country, I see a lot of gray hair, and while the wisdom of older generations is critical, we must ensure that we make a way for young and beginning farmers to fill our boots,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

What are those policy provisions that could assist with the farm labor issues?

1. The Farm Bill
In his testimony, Duvall shared a getting a farm bill passed by congress is critical to signal stability and predictability in agriculture.

“We need a modernized 5 year farm bill,” he said. “Rising interest rates, higher energy prices, supply costs that have gone unchecked, farmers will plant the most expensive crop ever planted this year, and many have faced a tough decision of whether or not to even plant that crop. This is why the farm bill and its Title One safety net is so critical.”

2. Estate tax provisions

Duvall also highlighted the importance of the estate tax exemption for farmers for transitioning the farm business from one generation to the next. He applauded the House for its consideration of in the One Big Beautiful Bill it recently passed, and encouraged the senate to follow.

3. Farm worker programs, specifically H-2A

“It’s time to modernize our outdated system, and only Congress can meaningfully do that,” Duvall said.

Alderman uses H-2A labor and says reform is a must.

“We are now dependent on H-2A labor from Mexico,” he said. “Without them, we can’t harvest our crops.”

For Alderman in Florida, whereas minimum wage is $12.50/hour, H-2A labor is compensated at $26/hour plus the expense of housing, transportation and visas.

Duvall adds the federal government needs to revisit its wage structure for H-2A labor, citing the wage rates were set by a study done 60 years ago intended to calculate on-farm employment totals, not compensation.

“We’re going to price ourselves out of farming,” he says. Duvall is advocating for an updated program and one that includes year-round provisions for dairy farmers, and other parts of the industry that need full-time labor not just seasonal help.

“How can a young farmer come back to the farm and bring his expertise that he learned in college, expand that farm without having a labor force to do that. It’s one of the biggest limiting factors we have,” Duvall says.

4. Economic stability, risk management and trade.

“The incentive to make a profit isn’t there,” Alderman says. “If the farmer isn’t going to make money, he’s not able to expand his operation.”

Aaron Locker, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed calls this a quietly unfolding crisis that is rapidly cutting across the agriculture.

“And the consequences for our food supply, our rural communities, and our national security are serious,” he said. “The 1980s farm crisis didn’t just damage balance sheets. It’s changed the interest of being involved in agriculture. That gap is being realized today in board rooms, field office, agronomy teams and more.”

The witnesses answered questions about President Trump’s trade policy and tariffs, with Duvall saying farmers have supported the president’s long-term vision to bring a “level playing field,” but he also says this fall will be a critical time for some progress when farmers are slated to harvest and sell commodities at low prices with high input costs.

5. Regulatory considerations.

Alderman says there are areas of his fresh produce business being over-regulated, which has put extra financial pressure when competing with imported crops. As an example, he points to multiple food safety inspections which could be replaced with a one-time inspection.

And in conjunction with the regulation on his business, he has seen how a lapse in regulatory authority over imported produce inspected at the borders has negatively effected the industry.

“For example, the citrus industry with citrus greening, it’s devastated the cirtrus industry. We have gone from 240 million boxes of oranges in production to around 40 million boxes today,” he said, and added Florida produce growers are introduced with a new thirp or weevil every growing season, which takes months to contain and identify proper controls.

6. Provide mental health resources

Christopher A. Wolf, Ph.D. from Cornell University says its New York FarmNet receives 700 calls a year. Financial stress include price uncertainty, labor cost and availability, capital costs, land access, and estate and succession planning. Family-related farm stressors include health insurance, childcare, eldercare, and drug and alcohol abuse.

“Male farmers have a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the national,” he said. “Financial stress is one of the primary contributors to the depression and suicide rate. Additionally, mental health stigma and lack of access to care are major barriers.”

Senate GOP Eyes Softer SNAP Cuts Amid Budget Talks

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:33:10 GMT

Republicans on the Senate Ag Committee are seeking to scale back the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts proposed in the House’s sweeping budget reconciliation bill, according to Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.). Boozman said the ultimate figure remains a “moving target,” but acknowledged Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) is urging the panel to aim for a net reduction of approximately $150 billion — significantly below the House’s $238 billion proposed cut, which includes offsetting increases for farm programs.

Of note: GOP senators are still trying to include a $70 billion farm bill package.
The House proposal hinges on a controversial cost-sharing provision that would force states to cover a portion of SNAP benefits — an idea Boozman said is generating resistance among Senate Republicans. “I think they would like for us to be in that range,” he said of the $150 billion mark.

The Senate’s version is expected to include expanded work requirements for SNAP recipients and increased commodity program support, aligning more closely with agricultural policy goals. Boozman noted the committee is still waiting on Senate parliamentarian guidance regarding the inclusion of certain farm bill provisions, though he declined to provide further detail.
More ag policy news from Pro Farmer.

Thune Sets July 4 Deadline for Reconciliation Deal

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:12:58 GMT

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) laid out an aggressive timetable for a compromise budget bill, urging Finance Committee members to finalize a draft by week’s end to meet President Donald Trump’s July 4 signing deadline. Thune’s push signals that internal debate must end soon if legislation is to be passed on time. Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) is driving efforts to make three provisions of Trump’s 2017 tax law permanent — including the R&D deduction, bonus depreciation, and interest expensing — all of which expire after five years under the House-passed bill. Key sticking points remain:

The balance between tax and spending cuts
Controversy over Medicaid reductions
Fate of green energy tax credits
Pressure to reduce the $40,000 SALT deduction backed by blue-state Republicans

The divide among Senate Republicans cuts across ideological lines: moderates object to deep Medicaid cuts, while fiscal conservatives want even steeper spending reductions. The clock is ticking, and even Trump’s full-court press, may not be enough to smooth intraparty fractures before Independence Day.
More policy updates from Pro Farmer.

GOP Farm Bill Criticized by Tester

Wed, 21 May 2025 20:29:11 GMT

In a pointed MSNBC commentary, former Montana Democrat senator and longtime farmer Jon Tester sharply criticized the GOP-led House reconciliation bill and its proposed agriculture provisions. Tester accused House Republicans of abandoning bipartisan tradition and endangering the longstanding urban-rural coalition that has underpinned past farm bills. Tester warned the bill would:

Shift SNAP costs to states, worsening food insecurity and passing the blame
Expand farm subsidies without addressing market competition
Hurt demand for commodities by cutting nutrition support
Ignore bipartisan negotiation, further polarizing farm policy

Tester concluded by urging Republicans to “go back to the drawing board” and produce a farm bill that reflects 21st-century needs and reinforces — not undermines — rural America.
More policy reports from Pro Farmer.

How Your Income Taxes Will Change This Year

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:41:02 GMT

The Trump tax cuts, officially known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, have been a topic of significant debate since their inception. It appears the Republicans might have enough political capital to both extend the TCJA and enact additional tax cuts that could help farmers.

The major tax cuts that have helped farmers since 2017 include (but not limited to):

Reduction in most tax rates
100% bonus depreciation through 2022
Section 199A 20% net deduction on farm income
Doubling the estate tax exemption (currently $13.99 million)
Increasing the child tax credit to $2,000

However, there were also some provisions that penalized many farmers:

Limiting the state and local tax (SALT) deduction to $10,000
Eliminating the tax-free treatment of equipment trades
Reducing 100% bonus depreciation (there will be none starting in 2027)
Dropping the corporate tax rate to 21% (most farmers paid 15%, so this was a 40% tax increase)

The House Republicans passed a budget bill to allow income taxes to rise by $4.5 trillion over 10 years. The Senate is proposing to ignore the budget effect of making the Trump tax cuts permanent, and the House could go along with this proposal.

This effectively allows Congress to make the Trump tax cuts permanent and allows for an additional $4.5 trillion of reduced taxes in other areas such as:

Eliminating taxes on tip income
Eliminating taxes on social security income
Eliminating taxes on overtime
Eliminating estate taxes
Reducing the corporate income tax rate to 15% for domestic production

However, there are many provisions of the Trump tax cuts that some Republicans are not in favor of, such as the $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction. Eliminating this cap would cost about a trillion over 10 years. Most republicans are also not in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act “green” provisions and many of them will be repealed or reduced, that could include the Section 45Z fuel tax credit.

The bottom line is income tax law will change this year, and it will be dramatic. Our crystal ball right now is fairly cloudy as to the final provisions, but for most farmers the changes will likely be beneficial.

Stakeholders Still Buzzing About EPA’s Major Policy Changes

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:51:25 GMT

EPA last Wednesday announced 31 moves to repeal environmental protections, shifting focus to economic growth. The Trump administration, led by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, on March 12 announced plans to roll back dozens of key environmental regulations, including limits on air and water pollution, protections for wetlands (WOTUS), and the agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases. In a video statement, Zeldin reframed the EPA’s mission as reducing costs for businesses and consumers, omitting references to environmental or public health protections.

The proposed deregulations, which will undergo a formal review process, have drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates and Democrats, who argue they undermine efforts to combat climate change and protect public health.

Among the most significant changes, the EPA plans to challenge the legal basis for regulating carbon emissions, a move some experts say is unlikely to succeed but signals a dramatic shift in environmental policy.

Of note: The effort to revise EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding” is a significant move because that legal opinion determines that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health. This finding grants the agency the authority to regulate emissions from key sources like automobiles, factories, power plants, and oil and gas wells. If it were eliminated, EPA would lose its legal basis to enforce climate pollution regulations, making it much harder to address greenhouse gas emissions. Sign up for more news and market analysis from Pro Farmer.

USDA Economic Assistance Update

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:20:48 GMT

USDA is nearing its March 21 deadline to open applications for $10 billion in economic assistance approved by Congress in December. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said her agency is on track to meet this deadline, with applications expected to be available shortly. This assistance is part of a broader nearly $31 billion package, which includes disaster aid for farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.

Economic assistance program: The $10 billion economic aid will be distributed through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (E-CAP), with payments based on crops planted and market prices.
Application process: Pre-filled applications will be sent to producers where information is already on file, using 2024 acreage reporting data. Producers can review, sign, and return these applications to local FSA service centers.
Deadline and timing: Rollins aims to release payments before the March 21 deadline, with initial payments likely to be around 85% of the total, followed by a supplemental payment in the summer.
Farmers can expect to receive the economic assistance aid relatively quickly after submitting their applications, as USDA aims to distribute the funds efficiently. The process is designed to be simple, transparent, and fast, with pre-filled applications being sent to producers where information is already on file, using 2024 acreage reporting data. Exact payment schedules may vary based on the efficiency of the application process and the speed at which USDA can verify and process applications.

Pro Farmer will continue to provide updates and analysis as we learn more. Sign up here.

Budget Battle Heats Up

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:52:29 GMT

Next week is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown over competing budget plans. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), are scrambling to finalize their one-bill proposal, with details expected Monday. Meanwhile, Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is pushing ahead with a two-bill approach, with key GOP senators set to discuss the strategy with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago this evening. Graham’s budget resolution includes $150 billion for defense, another $150 billion for border security and energy policy changes. This amount would be fully offset. House proposals aim to extend the 2017 tax cuts. One of the biggest sticking points for House Republicans has been the level of spending cuts. House GOP leadership had initially proposed $500 billion to $1 trillion, but conservative hardliners have been pushing for at least $2 trillion or more in spending reductions to maintain budget neutrality. There reportedly is consensus that they will need to cut more than $1 trillion in order to get conservative hardliners on board. House Budget Committee action is tentatively set for Tuesday but could slip later in the week.

Of note: Republicans agree that Trump’s 2017 tax cuts should be permanently extended. Trump also laid out several other tax priorities he wants to see in the package, including eliminating taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and overtime pay. And Trump threw in new tax priorities like getting rid of sports team owners’ tax breaks.

Trump told Republican lawmakers he wants to eliminate the carried interest tax break, a long-standing benefit for private equity fund managers and venture capitalists. His goal is to use the revenue from this change to help offset a multi-trillion-dollar tax cut that Republicans aim to pass before the end of the year. The carried interest loophole allows fund managers to pay lower capital gains tax rates (20%) on their earnings rather than the higher income tax rate (37%). Given past Republican resistance, it remains unclear whether he will succeed this time.
Read the latest Policy Updates from Pro Farmer.

Key Ag Policy Veterans Join Rollins’ USDA Team

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:21:15 GMT

USDA announced several senior staff appointments on Tuesday, highlighting key ag policy experts and veterans from Capitol Hill and the Trump administration. These roles, announced ahead of USDA Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins’ Senate Ag Committee confirmation hearing on Thursday, do not require Senate confirmation. They included:

Kailee Tkacz Buller: Chief of Staff to Rollins, formerly CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association and a USDA alum from Trump’s first term.
Preston Parry: Deputy Chief of Staff, previously Rollins’ assistant at the America First Policy Institute and Domestic Policy Council.
Jennifer Tiller: Chief of Staff to Deputy Secretary nominee Stephen Vaden and Senior Adviser for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, was Deputy Staff Director for the House Ag Committee.
Ralph Linden: Principal Deputy General Counsel, a USDA veteran who served in various capacities in the Office of the General Counsel from 1982 until 2021, including serving as an Acting Deputy General Counsel during the first Trump administration.
Audra Weeks: Deputy Director of Communications, previously a USDA Deputy Press Secretary and consultant for food and agriculture clients.
Dominic Restuccia: White House Liaison, a former legislative director and recent Michigan state House candidate.
More policy updates from Pro Farmer.

House Ag Committee Undergoing Significant Changes

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 21:31:53 GMT

The House Ag Committee includes 15 returning Democrats and will be led by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) as the new ranking member. New members: Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), the sole non-freshman among the new additions. Freshmen members include Reps. Adam Gray (Calif.), Kristen McDonald Rivet (Mich.), Shomari Figures (Ala.), Eugene Vindman (Va.), Josh Riley (N.Y.), John Mannion (N.Y.) and April McClain Delaney (Md.).

Departures: Seven senior Democrats were not included in the preliminary roster: Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Greg Casar (Texas), Chellie Pingree (Maine), Salud Carbajal (Calif.), Darren Soto (Fla.), and Sanford Bishop (Ga.).

Open seats: Two spots remain available for members who obtain waivers to join the committee.
More policy news from Pro Farmer.

Biden’s Final Regulatory Push; Trump’s Potential Policy Shifts Ahead

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:24:31 GMT

Key agricultural and environmental regulations face an uncertain future as administration change looms. The Biden administration has released its final regulatory agenda, outlining plans for various policy actions in the coming months. However, with the Trump administration set to take office soon, many of these regulations face an uncertain future. Several agricultural regulations are in the pipeline, particularly focusing on livestock markets and competitiveness:

Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets: USDA aims to finalize this rule by January 2025, clarifying its position on protecting producer welfare and advancing fair trade practices.
Poultry Grower Payment Systems: Targeting problematic practices in poultry grower payment systems, this rule is also slated for January 2025 finalization.
Price Discovery in Fed Cattle Markets: Currently in the comment period, the proposed rulemaking is targeted for September, leaving the final decision to the Trump administration.
Cell-Cultured Meat Labeling: A proposed rule for labeling meat and poultry products made using cell-culture technology is expected soon, with final rulemaking scheduled for November 2025.

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) levels and program changes are notable environmental regulations on the agenda:

RFS: EPA plans to finalize applicable volumes and percentage standards for various biofuels beginning in 2026.
RFS: Both the proposed rule (March 2025) and final rule (December 2025) will be handled by the Trump administration, potentially signaling shifts in biofuel policy.
USDA’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Interim Rule Under Review at OMB. USDA’s interim final rule on technical guidelines for climate-smart agriculture crops used as biofuel feedstocks is listed under long-term actions, meaning no regulatory action was initially expected within 12 months. However, as it is under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), USDA may advance it within that timeframe, especially with the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) taking effect on Jan. 1. Notably, Treasury’s regulatory agenda omits 45Z, despite including credits for clean electricity investment (45Y), production (48E), and clean hydrogen production (45V). We have previously reported that before the Biden administration departs prior to the Jan. 20 Trump inauguration, some guidelines could be released with the incoming Trump administration making final rules and regulations on 45Z and other programs.

The incoming Trump administration will have several options for dealing with these proposed regulations:

Finalize the regulations as proposed by the Biden administration.
Modify the proposals before finalization.
Delay or abandon the regulatory actions entirely.

Additionally, regulations finalized by the Biden administration since mid-August 2024 may be vulnerable to the Congressional Review Act (CRA), allowing the new Congress to potentially overturn these rules.

Of note: As the transition to Trump 2.0 approaches, stakeholders in agriculture and environmental sectors should prepare for potential policy shifts and regulatory changes under the new administration.

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Biden Admin Asks Congress to Approve $98.4 billion in Emergency Aid for Disasters

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 20:47:03 GMT

The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve $98.4 billion in emergency aid for disasters, including $24 billion for ag disasters ( link ). That funding would also go toward a permanent overhaul of pay for federal wildland firefighters and emergency food support programs, like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women, Infants and Children or WIC, according to a fact sheet. Link to fact sheet.

The request is for the government’s response and recovery efforts following a series of natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton that devastated parts of Southeastern states. The Federal Emergency Management Agency ($40 billion) and USDA would receive the bulk of the funding request, if lawmakers approve it in full, though they can increase, decrease, or ignore whatever they wish.

Other disaster aid levels:
• $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery programs.
• $8 billion for the Department of Transportation to repair roads and bridges throughout 40 states and territories that were “seriously damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic failures from external causes.”
• $4 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency for “long-term water system upgrades” as well as hazardous waste and debris clean up.
• $3 billion for the Health and Human Services Department, which Young said would help “build supply chain capacity and resilience for IV fluids and other critical medical products that became scarce during recent hurricanes.”
• $2 billion for the Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans.
• $2 billion for the Commerce Department for flexible economic development grants and to buy three “hurricane hunter” aircraft.
• $1 billion for the Education Department to aid schools in affected areas.
• $1 billion for the Energy Department to “support grid rebuilding, modernization and future hardening efforts in areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and funding to implement energy recovery efforts in communities affected by the Maui wildfires,”
• $500 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to reimburse the cost of cleaning up wreckage after a ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.
• $300 million for the State Department to “address the need for additional water infrastructure to prevent and reduce sewage flows and contamination at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant” in California.
• $200 million for the Interior Department for several programs, including a permanent overhaul of federal wildland firefighter pay, repairing siphons on the St. Mary Canal in Montana and mapping hazard impacts.
• $200 million for the Department of Labor’s Dislocated Worker National Reserve.
• $100 million for the Legal Services Corporation for legal assistance for low-income disaster survivors.
• $100 million for AmeriCorps for disaster recovery projects.’

Congress is expected to begin vetting the supplemental spending request this week before departing on a one-week Thanksgiving break. It’s likely lawmakers and staff will release an emergency spending bill in early December when both chambers return for a three-week session.

“It is absolutely critical that these communities know that their government has not forgotten them,” White House budget director Shalanda Young said Monday in a briefing with reporters.

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Trump Defends Economic Plans, Dismisses Criticism in Interview

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:21:10 GMT

Donald Trump defended his economic policies during an interview at the Economic Club of Chicago. He emphasized his plans for dramatic tariff increases and closer consultation with the Federal Reserve, asserting these measures would lead to substantial economic growth. Key points:

Economic policies

· Trump dismissed economists’ predictions of negative impacts from his policies.

· He argued that proposed tariffs would not disrupt supply chains but encourage domestic manufacturing.

· The former president claimed his leadership would inspire loyalty from allies.

· Trump said: “To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariff.”

Trump made clear that he’s not just taking aim at China, but longtime U.S. allies and trade-treaty partners as well.

· “Our country’s being threatened by Mexico,” he said.

· Trade deficits with Europe “are crazy, and we’re not going to have them anymore.”

· “Our allies have taken advantage of us more so than our enemies.”

· Past trade deals were “so bad” that they were overseen by people who were “either very stupid” or corrupt, he said.

· “I was just getting started” with tariff hikes in his term as president, Trump said.

Of note: Trump got in a heated exchange with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait when talking about tariffs — telling the journalist he’s been “wrong” his entire life. Micklethwait repeatedly asked Trump how he would enact high tariffs on foreign companies without getting an economic blowback on the American consumer in exchange — as the current U.S. economy is intertwined with China and the EU. “The overall effect could be massive,” the editor said, adding that Trump is set to launch the U.S. into a “trade war.” Trump replied of his proposed policy: “It’s going to have a massive effect — positive effect. It’s going to be a positive effect… It must be hard for you to spend 25 years talking about tariffs as being negative and then have somebody explain to you that you’re totally wrong,” the former president jabbed. “The higher the tariff, the more likely it is that the company will come into the United States and build a factory in the United States so it doesn’t have to pay the tariff,” Trump said.

Federal Reserve and deficit

· Trump suggested he would seek greater influence over the Federal Reserve if re-elected.

· He downplayed concerns about the federal deficit, claiming his economic platform would outpace costs.

Immigration and national security

· Trump acknowledged business concerns about labor shortages due to immigration raids but promised legal migration as a replacement.

· He reiterated his pledge to block the sale of US Steel Corp. to Nippon Steel Corp., citing national security interests.

Election and international relations

· Trump sidestepped questions about accepting 2024 election results and defended his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol incident.

· He declined to comment on alleged communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office.

Bottom line: Throughout the interview, Trump maintained a confident stance on his economic vision, despite widespread skepticism from economists and policy experts.

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