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Economists say that farm margins are likely to remain thin well into next year, despite expected cuts in interest expenses, creating a squeeze in farm income that has lawmakers debating some kind of aid package. 

An impasse in discussions over an expiring contract has dockworkers readying for a strike that could leave containers piling up at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, force cargo ships to sit in harbors until it clears, and scramble routes for agricultural goods at a critical time of year for farmers. 

The former chief economist for Republicans on the Senate Ag Committee is moving to Terrain, where he will lead a team of economists and analysts.

A senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee said Monday lawmakers are considering attaching a package of farm income support to a farm bill extension that could be enacted at the end of the year.

House Republicans will force a vote this week on EPA’s new emission standards that critics say amount to a mandate for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, some staff-level talks continue on a possible new farm bill amid a continued sharp divide over how to fund it.

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance is downplaying the potential impact on agriculture of former President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose across-the-board tariffs on U.S. imports. At the same time, he says Trump’s tariff policy is critical to protecting U.S. industry, and he denies that tariffs would increase consumer prices.

Former President Donald Trump, responding to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation, is throwing his support behind increasing commodity price supports and other assistance for producers. But Vice President Kamala Harris notes Trump proposed budgets that would have cut some farm programs. 

The cost of groceries was flat in August as lower prices for vegetables, grains and baked goods helped offset price increases for beef, poultry, eggs and dairy products.

Agri-Pulse’s annual CEO report details compensation packages for more than 150 executives, based on IRS 990 reports filed this year for salaries paid in 2023 or 2022. The latest reports show a median salary of $460,000, an increase of 8.2% over the median salary disclosed in reports filed in 2023. 

Leading advocates for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris clashed over trade, immigration and tax policy during an informal debate Monday.