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A federal district court judge has ruled that land applications of poultry waste have raised phosphorus levels in the Illinois River, ordered integrators to fund remediation efforts, and is requiring farmers to limit their waste applications.

The Agriculture Department lost 18% of its staff to voluntary resignations, retirements and for other reasons during the first five months of the Trump administration, with some agencies losing up to a third or more of their employees, according to a report by USDA’s inspector general. California lost the most workers, more than even D.C.

Analyses of agricultural land values indicate they have generally remained steady this year despite low commodity prices and high input costs wearing on farmers' bottom lines, but some bankers expect land prices to fall next year.

Rail giants Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern on Friday filed a nearly 7,000-page application to the Surface Transportation Board seeking approval for a merger that would create the first coast-to-coast railroad company. 

The top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday accused the Trump administration of running roughshod over Congress when it criticized longstanding trade principles at an international trade body.

Congress is done for the year. But before wrapping up Thursday evening, the Senate approved a series of President Donald Trump’s nominees who will be important to agriculture and food policy. They include Julie Callahan to be chief ag trade negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The Senate confirms a package of nearly 100 nominees to fill administration positions, including the top ag negotiator and three of President Donald Trump's picks for the Agriculture Department.

More than 100 House members from both parties are urging the House and Senate Ag committees to ensure that specialty crop producers swiftly receive their promised economic assistance and that any application process is as accessible as possible.  

A top U.S. trade official this week briefed House and Senate lawmakers on the administration’s priorities for an upcoming review of a North American trade pact, listing multiple ag issues among the discussion points.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., says the administration will have to determine the dollar amount of any additional aid.