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President Donald Trump says he will stop strikes on Iran for two weeks, subject to Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz. 

Farm state lawmakers return to Washington next week under pressure to pass a bill allowing more corn ethanol in cars, a challenge that grows more difficult by the day. The most recent obstacle in legalizing year-round E15 stems from disagreement among oil refiners over proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The U.S. and Iranian governments agreed to a temporary ceasefire on Tuesday, but growers should not expect immediate fertilizer price relief, analysts warn. And if lasting peace doesn’t materialize, consumers will soon see higher food prices.

High stockpiles, weak prices and rising fertilizer bills are squeezing margins so tightly that many wheat growers are continuing to shift acres to crops with better returns.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is hitting fewer birds this year than last, helping keep egg prices down during a significant time of year for virus activity. HPAI cases are down 45% year over year in early 2026, with retail egg prices falling from $5.90 to $2.50 per dozen.

Farmer sentiment improved in March even as concerns about rising input costs persist, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, with a notable gap between crop and livestock producers’ outlooks.

Democrats are denouncing President Donald Trump’s request for Congress to slash USDA’s budget by $4.9 billion and boost defense funding to the highest level in decades at $1.5 trillion.

New U.S. biofuel rules are raising hopes that a revival of the biodiesel industry is possible. The Trump administration released record-high blending quotas for biodiesel and made a key change to the Renewable Fuel Standard program that could fuel producers out of a slump. 

Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are hitting the tree nut industry, whose members are scrambling to find other routes and markets to take their product during a significant time of year for sales.