News Archives
Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: 'Farm bill 2.0' & tariff-funded farm aid with Chairman Thompson

National Farmers Union kicks off fall legislative fly-in
National Farmers Union on Monday announced the start of its annual Legislative Fly-In, bringing more than 250 family farmers and ranchers into Washington to urge Congress to act, for farmers’ sake.

FAPRI: PLC payments jump under OBBBA, but benefits uneven across crops, states
The improvements in the farm safety net will offer more support for farmers, though producers of some crops stand to benefit more than others.
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Potash recognized as critical mineral, TFI pushing for phosphate to be added next
The vice president of government affairs for The Fertilizer Institute says including potash on the official critical minerals list could help increase access for farmers.

Everything is on the table to help farmers
The chairman of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee says there are options to help farmers as they navigate tough economic times.

Has harvest low already been set for corn market?
Even those who don't grow corn may find this analysis well worth their time.

USCP launches trial into human health benefits of sorghum
The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), a member of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, recently announced the launch of the first human clinical trial to evaluate whole grain sorghum’s health benefits.

Landus appoints Eric Heismeyer as the cooperative’s next CEO
Landus, Iowa’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, announced today that Eric Heismeyer will join the organization as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 3, 2025.

Arkansas farmers warn of crisis as crop prices fall; call for ad hoc aid
Hundreds of farmers in northeast Arkansas met Tuesday with federal officials to talk about their current financial challenges and fears they could be forced to walk away from farming.

RFA applauds passage of bill legalizing E15 in California
Lower-cost E15 is now just one step away from becoming a legal fuel in California, as the state Senate voted 39–0 Wednesday to pass Assembly Bill 30.

Farm bill faces uncertain future as deadline nears
There is growing concern that Congress won’t be able to finish a farm bill this year.

NCBA testifies at trade hearing investigation on Brazil
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus on Wednesday testified at a Section 301 investigation hearing regarding Brazil’s trade practices.

Twice-extended farm bill expires September 30th
The twice-extended 2018 Farm Bill faces expiration in less than a month.

USDA Crop Progress: Corn rated 69% good to excellent, soybeans 65% good to excellent as of Aug. 31
Corn and soybean good-to-excellent condition ratings fell at the national level last week, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Tuesday.

EPA announces action to support lower food prices for Americans and reduce burden on American farmers by addressing meat and poultry discharge regulations
At Christensen Farms in Minnesota, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a final action imposing no additional wastewater discharge regulations on meat and poultry processing facilities.

Corn growers fuel ethanol innovation in ag equipment
Corn growers’ checkoff dollars are driving new research that could open major markets for ethanol in the equipment farmers use every day.

Farmer sentiment weakens as producer confidence in the future wanes
Farmer sentiment dipped again in August as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell 10 points to 125. Producers were markedly less optimistic about the future in August as the Index of Future Expectations dropped 16 points to 123. This was the lowest reading for the future index since last September.

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Trade, Tariffs & E-15 at the Farm Progress Show
Harvest is quickly approaching, but grower groups and the ag industry are on edge as China has yet to make a purchase from the fall U.S. soybean crop.

EPA eyes clarity on WOTUS definition, rule
The nation’s top environmental official says the EPA is in the final stages of a Waters of the U.S. rule and that could bring stability to the ag industry.

Dairy replacement heifers at 20-year low; could fall more over next two years
The number of replacement heifers available to enter the nation's dairy herd has fallen to a 20-year low. Replacement heifer supplies could fall even further over the next two years before a recovery begins in 2027, according to new CoBank research.

Ag continues nationwide, year-round E-15 push
The call for action on year-round E-15 was loud at this year’s Farm Progress Show.

Pork industry leader David Newman selected as National Pork Board's next CEO
The National Pork Board (NPB) has named David Newman as the organization's new CEO, effective Sept. 1.

Disaggregation decision a positive step in labor reform
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on a federal court decision that vacates a burdensome and unfair disaggregation labor rule, which is part of the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate Rule.

USDA expands efforts to strengthen rural food animal veterinary workforce and protect America’s food supply
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins on Thursday announced a commitment to new actions (PDF, 1.2 MB) to increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S. and recruit new veterinarians to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their role to protect American ranchers, animals, and our food supply.

Farm groups: Markets needed to boost demand while aid payments are a 'Band-Aid'
With large crops and low prices, leaders representing corn and soybean farmers are pressing the need for more demand for their crops, whether it is selling more biofuels or re-establishing export sales with China.

Governor Pritzker announces $2 billion investment from Cronus Chemicals LLC at 2025 Farm Progress Show
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) on Tuesday announced a $2 billion investment from Cronus Chemicals LLC (Cronus) to construct a new fertilizer production facility in Tuscola, Illinois.

August RMI: Rural economy continues to weaken
The latest Rural Mainstreet Index says the ag economy weakened during August.

K-State study: Grazing cover crops adds value
For Charlie and Jeremy Kootz, a father-son team farming near the Kannapolis Reservoir in Ellsworth County, cover crops are more than conservation.
