Economy

Surging diesel prices imperil farm profits amid 'energy crisis'

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:10:00 -0400

Record-high diesel prices are further clouding the profit outlook for crop farmers.

The Beef Bulk-Up: Health tradeoffs emerge as cattle get heavier

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:08:00 -0400

The second part of “The Beef Bulk‑Up” series examines rising cattle weights and why experts say bigger animals face higher risks of lameness, joint problems, heat stress and certain heart, lung and liver conditions.

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.

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.

Farm earnings outlook brightens, though expected profits remain below 2025

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:27:24 -0400

The Agriculture Department has raised its forecast for farm earnings in 2026 from February, though it continues to expect producers to see profit declines compared to last year.

The Beef Bulk‑Up: America’s cattle are getting bigger, bringing larger returns and new complications

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:12:00 -0400

This first installment of the “The Beef Bulk-Up” series examines the forces driving U.S. producers’ efforts to create heavier cattle, and what rising weights mean for the future of beef production.

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.

New USDA initiative aims to spur cattle herd rebuilding with insurance, conservation program grazing changes

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:41:17 -0400

New insurance options, emergency grazing authorities on Grassland Conservation Reserve Program acres, and guaranteed loans for regional meat processors are among the elements of a packaged unveiled by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday to encourage producers to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd.

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.

Bunge, POET, others warn Trump on biofuel exemptions for oil

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 17:35:20 -0400

With high-stakes congressional elections near, farm and biofuel companies are warning the White House against moves that they say would undermine new biofuel-blending rules and hurt farmers.

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.

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.

Lawmakers propose cropland conversion program to bolster grazing land access

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:09:00 -0400

A new program being floated by Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., seeks to expand grazing access for producers by converting up to 20 million acres of cropland to pasture.

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.

Unionized workers vote to reject John Deere contract extension offer

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:00:03 -0400

Unionized John Deere workers on Sunday rejected the company’s offer to extend their union contract by two years, keeping the current agreement’s October 2027 expiration date in place.

With elections looming, EPA moves to ease gasoline price spikes

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:21:05 -0400

The Trump administration took action aimed at lowering gasoline prices as consumers face higher costs at the pump ahead of the November midterm elections.

Former ag leaders push for congressional action to address farmers' challenges

olivia@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:43:53 -0400

Former agricultural leaders are sounding the alarm over perceived congressional inaction as farmers struggle to turn a profit amid global instability, trade tensions and an increasing reliance on ad hoc farm assistance in lieu of a five-year farm bill.

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.

Grain group joins other shipping interests in calling for rejection of UP-NS rail merger application

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:04:16 -0400

The National Grain and Feed Association on Thursday became the latest major shipper group to urge federal rail regulators to reject Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s most recent merger application, adding to recent calls from chemical, fuel, fertilizer and industrial transportation interests advocating against the deal.

Robust demand signals clash with acreage boost in latest WASDE

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:51:22 -0400

USDA's latest crop report contains mixed signals for corn and soybean growers, with some robust demand signals colliding with the agency's upward revision of expected harvests. U.S. wheat remains on track for the smallest crop in nearly 60 years.

Food costs remain relatively steady in latest Consumer Price Index

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:48:35 -0400

Grocery prices fell slightly in July, but food prices overall were up 0.1% as consumers spent more at restaurants and eateries outside the home, according to the latest Consumer Price Index.

JBS to turn Pennsylvania beef plant into value-added processing facility

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:20:14 -0400

Meatpacking giant JBS has announced plans to turn its beef processing plant in Souderton, Pennsylvania, into a value-added processing facility, preserving about 400 jobs at a plant the company previously planned to close.

Senate passes bill to avert shutdown, delay hemp ban as midterms loom

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:50:01 -0400

The Senate has passed a stopgap measure to keep the government funded until Dec. 11, a move aimed at averting a government shutdown just weeks ahead of high-stake midterm elections. The spending bill also would delay a ban on certain hemp-related products by about a month.

Stalled farm bill spotlights ag woes and state budget strain

grace@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:00:52 -0400

The Senate farm bill is stalled, putting a spotlight on both economically strained crop growers and states.

Senate Ag Committee at odds over SNAP with farm bill at stake

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:39:07 -0400

The Senate Ag Committee farm bill is in danger of stalling due to partisan sparring over SNAP.

USDA to give producers 60-day extension on crop insurance premiums, Rollins says

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:45:48 -0400

USDA's Risk Management Agency plans to give producers 60 additional days to pay their crop insurance premiums, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Tuesday.

New Senate farm bill includes SNAP cost delays, year-round E15

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:35:48 -0400

The Senate Agriculture Committee unveiled revised farm bill text that would allow year-round access to higher ethanol-fuel blends at U.S. gasoline pumps and extend by one year the time that certain states would have to start sharing the cost of providing SNAP benefits.

Rural food insecurity ranks among nation’s highest, Feeding America report says

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:14:00 -0400

Rural counties have some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the United States, making up 86% of the highest 10% of food insecurity rates, according to Feeding America’s annual "Map the Meal Gap" report released Tuesday.

Thune says $95B reconciliation measure is 'best path' forward

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:14:03 -0400

Senate Majority John Thune says he's embracing a reconciliation plan passed by the House as the best path to pass the SAVE America Act and provide funds for the military and farmers.

Daybreak July 24: USDA’ers slam reorg plans

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:13:48 -0400

Current and former USDA employees are bashing the department’s reorganization plans, saying it will lead to massive departures, loss of expertise and diminished services. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Thursday finalized its approximately four-month long investigation into 60 countries for alleged forced labor violations.