Regulatory

Washington Week Ahead: Farm bill faces lame-duck challenge

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 21:06:03 -0500

Over the next five or so weeks, lawmakers must vote on leaders for the 120th Congress, deal with a new funding agreement to avoid a government shutdown next month, pass annual defense legislation and figure out how to handle a long-delayed farm bill.

Blue wave fueled by 'fed up' farmers may boost ag, Peterson says

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:26:37 -0500

The horde of Democrats headed for Capitol Hill in January will be a chance to reset how agriculture and food policy is handled, says former House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson.

SNAP fight looms as ag leaders turn to farm bill in lame duck

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:12:00 -0500

The Four Corners face a short deadline to pass a five-year farm bill with a possible SNAP cost-share delay in the lame duck session as states and counties struggle to prepare their budgets.

‘Captive audience’ ruling preserves open communication, growers’ group says

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:04:00 -0500

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld employers’ right to communicate openly with their employees about political topics, but legal experts say the issue is far from settled.

Daybreak Nov. 2: Senate control hangs in balance as Election Day approaches

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 08:11:50 -0500

Midterm campaigns in top agriculture hubs across the U.S. are in the home stretch. With less than 24 hours until Election Day, the Senate is a wild card. Republicans and Democrats alike say they are poised to win control of the chamber in the new Congress that starts early next year.

Ethanol producer Green Plains strikes 45Z deal worth up to $325M

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 16:04:03 -0400

As the biofuels industry awaits final 45Z rules, ethanol producer Green Plains says it forged a deal to sell as much as $325 million worth of the tax credits to an undisclosed buyer.

Daybreak Oct. 30: States asked to waive dyed diesel restrictions

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 09:23:01 -0400

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is asking governors to waive state-level requirements on dyed diesel use to complement temporary IRS suspension of federal dyed diesel enforcement, noting that 31 states have already taken “early action” on the matter.

R-CALF USA creates committees for federal lands, young producers

hguthoerl@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:06:00 -0400

R-CALF USA has established two committees focused on federal land management issues and developing leadership among young cattle and sheep producers.

FDA launches pilot to speed food animal drug approvals

hguthoerl@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:05:00 -0400

The Food and Drug Administration is launching a pilot program intended to shorten the approval process for new animal drugs used in food-producing animals by streamlining requirements for residue testing methods.

USDA proposes nearly $600M in funds for eight fertilizer projects

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:36:23 -0400

The Trump administration is identifying eight fertilizer projects to get federal funding as part of its push to reduce U.S. reliance on volatile global supply chains that have sent prices of key crop nutrients soaring this year.

Top RFK Jr. MAHA ally Calley Means resigns from White House

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:48:17 -0400

Calley Means, a top adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., says he is leaving the Trump administration.

Legal cases test water rights in Pacific Northwest

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:05:00 -0400

Two pending legal cases in the Pacific Northwest are testing the limits to which state governments can go to curtail established water rights in times of drought.

Dairy groups sue to block California waste discharge order

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:58:00 -0400

California dairies are suing to block a State Water Resources Control Board order requiring them to take individual steps to protect groundwater from nitrates. Farm groups complain the order could undermine an initiative created in 2006 to solve widespread salt and nitrate leaching by creating management zones.

Daybreak Oct. 19: Trump draws GOP rebuke over Russia

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:58:30 -0400

President Donald Trump’s pause of energy-related sanctions and tariffs on Russia is prompting pushback from fellow Republicans.

Daybreak Oct. 15: Senator: Trade fight with Canada will have lasting impacts

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:55:47 -0400

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., says he thinks there will be long-standing ill will between the U.S. and Canada because of President Donald Trump’s trade war — even after it ends. He warned that Canadians' weariness of the U.S. is hurting his home state’s wine industry.

DOE clarifies 45Z process with new guidance for biofuel producers

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:40:52 -0400

The Trump administration is providing guidance to help biofuel producers claim the 45Z tax incentive, even if their product is missing from the government’s “cheat sheet” for calculating the credit’s value.

'Save Our Bacon' fight heats up with new lobbyist in town

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:11:00 -0400

The lobbying battle over animal welfare state laws like Prop 12 in California is intensifying as a new entrant spending tens of millions of dollars to keep such rules in place draws scrutiny from the pork industry.

Supplemental WOTUS gets ag support; environmentalists pan it

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:08:00 -0400

The Trump administration’s latest proposal to define “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act is receiving support from farm groups, who say it’s needed to clarify the limits of federal jurisdiction. Environmental groups, however, are staunchly opposed, saying that the supplemental proposal would eviscerate protections for wetlands and streams that do not flow year-round.

Almond Board-funded research seeks natural solutions for pest control

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:02:00 -0400

Growers’ improved sustainability is the result of some $89 million in research funded by the Almond Board of California since 1973, including studies relating to production, environmental stewardship. A University of California farm adviser credited the work during the annual CAPCA conference in Anaheim.

EPA proposes reallocating RVOs lost due to small refinery exemptions

steve@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:21:56 -0400

EPA is proposing to reallocate biofuel volumes lost to small refinery exemptions that were granted in August after the agency issued historically high biofuel-blending targets in March.

White House finishes review of EPA plan to avert SRE pain on ag

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:10:32 -0400

The White House completed a review of EPA's plan to protect crop-based fuels from bigger-than-expected biofuel-blending exemptions for oil refineries, signaling that the agency is on track to unveil the proposal shortly. The move, opposed by the fossil fuel industry, is considered crucial for the economic health of U.S. biofuels and crops like soybeans and corn.

Despite CAFB’s overtures, Newsom resists red diesel on roads

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is unimpressed with the idea of allowing the use of dyed diesel on highways, despite requests from the California Farm Bureau.

Ethanol a 'promising' option for methanol-powered vessels, study says

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:49:21 -0400

A new study finds ethanol is a "promising drop-in option for methanol-fueled vessels."

Judge dismisses feds' lawsuit over Michigan cage-free egg law

steve@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:48:47 -0400

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the federal government challenging Michigan’s cage-free egg law, concluding the government could not show it was injured by enactment of the law.

Trump's diesel order spurs new round of fuel policy clashes

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:13:00 -0400

Biofuel producers, oil refiners and farmers are closely watching the Trump administration and Congress for next moves impacting small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Ranchers look to executive order for wolf relief

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:09:00 -0400

The fight over wolves has entered a new phase with the issuance of a new executive order.

New duck hunting season offers potential tool for Louisiana rice farmers

hguthoerl@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:08:00 -0400

A new experimental hunting season for black-bellied whistling ducks in Louisiana could provide relief to rice farmers who are experiencing crop damage from the growing waterfowl population.

Groups say new wage law will increase costs

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:04:00 -0400

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed AB 2646 by Asm. Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, which will set a new minimum wage of $19.75 an hour for certain farmworkers. The bill was opposed by a veritable who’s-who of agricultural groups, which say the legislation risks accelerating the loss of ag production in California.

California steps out front in targeting ultraprocessed food

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California is developing a certification and official label for non-ultraprocessed foods, stepping out ahead of a federal effort to define what ultraprocessed foods are. Some industry experts say the state’s move could cause complications for food manufacturers.

As El Niño strengthens, California preps for flooding, groundwater recharge

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:02:00 -0400

The California Department of Water Resources’ flood operations team is coordinating closely with cities and counties across the state, holding a series of regional workshops while also stockpiling flood-fighting materials at 68 locations, the agency reports. The DWR is also working to step up groundwater recharge projects.