Policy Updates
In this OpEd, Daren Coppock, president and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Associations says “preserving uniform federal labeling protects everyone who depends on the food system—and that means all of us.”
Ambassador Julie Callahan outlines a transactional approach to global trade, targeting market access and regulatory reform
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden outlined a list of priority topics for the agency in 2026.
Farm leaders urged lawmakers to work quickly to include additional aid for farmers.
“You can’t just look at ‘ag’ or ‘farm policy’ any longer,” says Jim Wiesemeyer. “It’s interrelated.”
The biggest surprise came from the agency cutting corn yield less than a bushel and loweing soybean exports by 50 million bushels.
The administration is expanding the list, which includes potash and phosphate, amid efforts to boost domestic mining and cut reliance on imports.
Market analysts says the September WASDE did not fully account for the disease pressure and dry finish in the East in both the corn and soybean crop.
China, the world’s largest soybean buyer,is turning to Brazilian cargies amid trade tensions with the U.S. and ongoing negotiations.
President Trump is urging China to buy more U.S. soybeans as they face a shortage, but analysts say quadrupling soybean orders is ‘highly unlikely.’
After months of negotiations, the two countries struck a deal to lower the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” from a proposed 25% to 15%, and said increased rice shipments from the U.S. to Japan are part of the deal.
The new rule is part of the Trump administration’s directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the federal government.
The groups are urging the administration to “formally include farmers, ranchers and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process.” An action report — a follow-up to the MAHA report released in May — is due by August 12.
Senate Republicans on Wednesday released the agriculture section of their budget reconciliation bill.
“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.
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.
Former Montana Democrat senator and longtime farmer Jon Tester sharply criticized the GOP-led House reconciliation bill and its proposed agriculture provisions.
Income tax law will change this year, and it will be dramatic. Though the crystal ball right now is fairly cloudy as to the final provisions, the changes will likely be beneficial for most farmers.
EPA announced 31 moves to repeal environmental protections.
USDA is nearing its March 21 deadline to open applications for $10 billion in economic assistance approved by Congress in December.
House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), are scrambling to finalize their one-bill proposal, with details expected Monday.
USDA announced several senior staff appointments.
A breakdown of new, returning and departing members
Key agricultural and environmental regulations face an uncertain future as administration change looms.
Includes $24 billion for USDA and $40 billion for FEMA.
He emphasized his plans for dramatic tariff increases and closer consultation with the Federal Reserve, asserting these measures would lead to substantial economic growth.