Regulatory

Ranchers to be paid for wolf kills, but there’s a catch

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:04:00 -0400

California lawmakers approved $2.5 million for a compensation fund for ranchers whose livestock was killed by wolves, but the ranchers must show they tried nonlethal deterrence methods to qualify for the funding.

California touts cannabis tax revenue a decade after legalization

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

A decade after California voters passed Proposition 64 legalizing nonmedical uses of marijuana, the state says the legal market has generated nearly $8.4 billion in taxes, exceeding expectations.

Legal fight over Oregon packaging law could affect California

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:02:00 -0400

The anticipated appeal of a federal judge’s ruling upholding an Oregon plastics recycling law could affect the lawsuit over California’s SB 54, which mandates sharp reductions in single-use plastic.

Daybreak Sept. 8: WOTUS proposal praised, slammed

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:08:43 -0400

The Trump administration’s latest proposal in its ongoing effort to redefine what the Clean Water Act calls “waters of the United States” is getting divided reactions from farm and environmental groups.

Trump signs beef executive orders focused on competition, MCOOL

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:40:05 -0400

The Trump administration is seeking to advance mandatory country of original labeling for beef and bolster competition in the meatpacking industry through two new executive orders.

EPA, Corps issue supplemental WOTUS proposal

steve@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:54:53 -0400

EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are seeking additional comment on their proposed “waters of the U.S.” rule by proposing new definitions for critical terminology, including what constitutes “relatively permanent” waters and a “continuous surface water connection.”

Thompson seeks waiver to continue as House Ag GOP leader

olivia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:24:28 -0400

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson has requested a waiver to remain the Republican leader for the panel during the 120th Congress.

Congress must 'wake up' and follow California's lead on E15, group says

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:13:00 -0400

California's efforts to get E15 flowing in the state is underscoring ethanol-expansion attempts in Congress and the thorny fuel policy debate that's so far prevented year-round E15 nationwide.

Federal yield grade system faces scrutiny as cattle carcasses get fatter

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:11:00 -0400

As cattle feeders increasingly send fatter animals to slaughter, meat scientists and industry leaders are questioning whether USDA's 60-year-old grading formula needs an update.

California’s legislative session closes to mixed reviews from ag

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California lawmakers ended their 2025-2026 regular session on Aug. 31 by passing a flurry of bills, including ones favored by agriculture that would compensate ranchers for wolf depredations and a pair of California Cattlemen’s Association-sponsored wildfire resilience measures.

Reclamation official vows to move faster on projects, allocations

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California growers served by the federal Central Valley Project have long complained that increases in their water allocations come too late in the season to make a difference in planting decisions. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's acting regional director says he's trying to change that.

McClintock: Leaders must ‘change hearts and minds’ on ag, resources

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:01:00 -0400

A key Western Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee says political and agricultural leaders must “change hearts and minds” when it comes to water and farming in California.

House passes bill to fund government through Dec. 11, delay hemp ban

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:47:29 -0400

The House votes overwhelmingly to pass a measure funding the government through Dec. 11. The bill now goes to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature.

Rollins unveils plan to modernize USDA agricultural data collection

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:56:07 -0400

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today unveiled a plan to modernize USDA’s agricultural data collection at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.

California passage of key E15 bill brightens ethanol outlook

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:25:29 -0400

California passes legislation that biofuel groups say will help clear the path to year-round E15 sales in the country's second-biggest gasoline market.

EPA grants RVO exemptions while seeking to cushion impact on ag

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:38:38 -0400

The Trump administration is granting more small refinery exemptions that expected while also taking steps to cushion the potential blow to biofuel demand.

Washington Week Ahead: Biofuel rules and trade relations under scrutiny

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:34:55 -0400

Ag markets are under close watch as the Trump administration mulls biofuel rules for oil refiners and House lawmakers return to work facing thorny questions on farm policy, domestic spending and global trade.

Trump goes after Big Four meatpackers, says producers should be allowed to do own processing

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:50:14 -0400

President Donald Trump on Friday took aim at the nation’s four largest beef processors in announcing his intent to expand producers’ ability to process their own meat, though it is currently unclear how he plans to do so.

Daybreak Aug. 28: Iowa senator joins ag, biofuel groups opposing expanded SREs

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, warned the Trump administration Thursday against increasing the use of small refinery exemptions from biofuel-blending rules under the Renewable Fuel Standard, joining several agricultural and biofuel groups cautioning against such changes.

Communities need to demand answers on data centers, experts say

steve@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:18:05 -0400

Local communities need to closely question companies that want to build data centers about the impact they will have on power and water needs and, ultimately, whether they will provide an overall benefit, a panel of speakers said on an Agri-Pulse webinar Thursday.

Daybreak Aug. 27: AEWR rule sent back to Labor Department

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:01:28 -0400

A Labor Department rule on farmworker wage must be rewritten, a federal court ordered Wednesday, putting additional pressure on Congress to come up with a solution.

CHS, OCP announce plans to build phosphate plant in Louisiana

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:30:00 -0400

CHS and OCP North America plan to build the first phosphate fertilizer plant in the U.S. in more than 40 years.

U.S. ethanol exports seen surging higher with demand in Japan, Mexico and beyond

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:12:00 -0400

U.S. ethanol exports are set to reach new record highs this marketing year as the industry eyes Japan, Mexico and other countries for future gains.

Next stage of NASS modernization projects expected at Farm Progress Show

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:10:00 -0400

Indiana farmer Kip Tom, who is leading an effort to modernize how USDA collects and produces its crop reports, says an announcement is expected next week at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa.

Firms seek to turn harvest waste into high-value products

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:03:00 -0400

The Almond Board of California is working with a company to use leftover almond shells to develop what the two entities say is a clean, sustainable and domestically sourced alternative to petroleum-based products.

Soy group says $1B at stake with EPA's pending refinery moves

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:53:58 -0400

Farmers could lose $1 billion if the Environmental Protection Agency issues greater-than-expected exemptions for oil refineries from U.S. biofuel-blending rules, the American Soybean Association says.

Daybreak Aug. 25: Trump threatens more tariffs on Canada

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:06:58 -0400

President Donald Trump is getting ready to escalate his trade war with Canada by placing a 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Sorghum group asks CFTC for pause, review of planned Chicago futures contract over producer concerns

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:55:58 -0400

A group representing sorghum farmers is pressing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to pause the Chicago Board of Trade's planned rollout of a sorghum basis futures contract on Monday and institute a review of whether the exchange’s self-certification filing meets federal requirements.

Bipartisan water resources bills advance, but floor path remains uncertain

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:14:00 -0400

Biennial bills to authorize construction and maintenance of key lock and dam projects across the U.S. have advanced out of House and Senate committee, but to actually pass this year, they may need to hitch a ride on other major legislative vehicles expected to move before the end of December, a lawmaker and shipping industry advocates tell Agri-Pulse.

U.S. beef cattle woes put spotlight on water management push

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:12:00 -0400

Ranchbot aims to expand "materially" in the U.S. with its remote water sensing and tracking technology as the ag industry turns to bigger investments in water management.