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Some farm bill programs, including increased commodity program spending, may be rolled into the massive budget reconciliation Republicans are crafting, but a legislative fix for California’s Proposition 12 remains on hold until Congress can consider a standalone farm bill. 

Some food companies are beginning to phase out synthetic food dyes in reaction to the Trump administration’s goal of removing all color additives from the food supply by the end of 2026. 
However, the push is largely driven by state laws and the industry’s success in meeting these goals could hinge on the Food and Drug Administration efficiently evaluating and approving alternatives. Cuts to the agency could throw a wrench in this process. 

Farmer sentiment improved in April despite the continued uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and the stiff duties imposed on imports from China, according to the monthly Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

U.S. egg imports climbed even higher in March as Turkey and Mexico scaled up their exports and Brazil and Honduras sent the U.S. eggs for the first time this decade, according to Commerce Department data published Tuesday.

FDA is expanding the use of unannounced inspections at foreign facilities that produce foods and medicines, building on a pilot program already used in India and China.

The Meat Institute hired Jesse Fulton as director of animal health and welfare. Former National Pork Board CEO Bill Even will be the next commissioner of the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development. Kenneth Selzer was sworn in as associate administrator of the Risk Management Agency. 

USDA's Farm Production and Conservation mission area added new staff: Kaytlin Bemis is now a policy adviser, Matthew Wininger was hired as special assistant, Kelli Evans was named senior adviser and Kyle Allen is a special assistant. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday the department will unveil its reorganization plan next week and it won’t be as “drastic” as many have feared. Speaking to members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Rollins confirmed that about 15,000 USDA employees had taken buyouts. 

The Senate Agriculture Committee voted along party lines Monday evening to send two USDA nominations to the Senate floor: Stephen Vaden to be deputy ag secretary and Tyler Clarkson to be USDA’s general counsel.

More than 15,000 of approximately 100,000 employees at USDA are preparing to leave the agency after accepting buyout offers that will allow them to keep being paid through the end of September, according to numbers shared with Agri-Pulse by a Capitol Hill source.

Skyhigh U.S. tariffs are prompting importers to rethink orders. But fewer ships coming in means fewer ships going out, and the ag industry worries its exports are going to be squeezed in the oncoming global trade reshuffle.