News https://www.agri-pulse.com/rss en-us N.C. farmer fuels Democrats' hopes of retaking the House A fourth-generation farmer from western North Carolina is stoking the hopes of Democrats seeking to regain majority control of Congress next year. A fourth-generation farmer from western North Carolina is stoking the hopes of Democrats seeking to regain majority control of Congress next year. 

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24859 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:40:05 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24859-nc-farmer-fuels-democrats-hopes-of-retaking-the-house Jamie-Ager-AP-photo.jpg Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 11th congressional district Jamie Ager in Fairview, N.C., in August 2025 (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) Daybreak June 18: The case of the dog with screwworm in New Mexico noah@agri-pulse.com A New Mexico dog confirmed with a case of New World screwworm last week is no longer believed to have traveled to Mexico, New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte says. As Senate Agriculture Committee leaders prepare to release farm bill text, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch says lawmakers need to focus on the growing economic reality that farmers are spending more to produce crops than they're earning. A New Mexico dog confirmed with a case of New World screwworm last week is no longer believed to have traveled to Mexico, New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte says. As Senate Agriculture Committee leaders prepare to release farm bill text, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch says lawmakers need to focus on the growing economic reality that farmers are spending more to produce crops than they're earning. 

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24857 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:24:13 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24857-daybreak-june-18-the-case-of-the-dog-with-screwworm-in-new-mexico screwworm-uark.jpg A New World screwworm fly (University of Arkansas photo) Trump administration releases new H-2A guidance for dairy operations noah@agri-pulse.com Dairy operations can use the H-2A program if they can demonstrate a temporary or seasonal labor need, the Homeland Security and Labor departments said in new guidance released Wednesday. Dairy operations can use the H-2A program if they can demonstrate a temporary or seasonal labor need, the Homeland Security and Labor departments said in new guidance released Wednesday.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24856 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:53:06 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24856-trump-administration-releases-new-h-2a-guidance-for-dairy-operations dairy_worker_milking_labor.jpeg Farm worker at Fox Dairy in Plainview, Texas, on November 7, 2023. (Photo: USDA) USDA announces Foreign Agricultural Service, RD reorganizations noah@agri-pulse.com The Agriculture Department plans to relocate “much of” the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Washington D.C.-based workforce to Kansas City, Missouri, and Beltsville, Maryland, as part of its reorganization plan, the agency announced Wednesday. The Agriculture Department plans to relocate “much of” the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Washington D.C.-based workforce to Kansas City, Missouri, and Beltsville, Maryland, as part of its reorganization plan, the agency announced Wednesday.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24855 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:36:23 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24855-usda-announces-foreign-agricultural-service-rd-reorganizations USDA office building.jpg Contract workers hung banners on USDA's Jamie L. Whitten building on May 14, 2025. (USDA photo) Daybreak June 17: Screwworm projects funded noah@agri-pulse.com The Agriculture Department is putting $105 million into 40 research projects aimed at better equipping the U.S. to combat the spread of New World screwworm, the agency says. The National Corn Growers Association and 15 state corn organizations are calling on USDA to fund research supporting the full value of corn as a driver of new market opportunities and farm revenue. The Agriculture Department is putting $105 million into 40 research projects aimed at better equipping the U.S. to combat the spread of New World screwworm, the agency says. The National Corn Growers Association and 15 state corn organizations are calling on USDA to fund research supporting the full value of corn as a driver of new market opportunities and farm revenue.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24851 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:55:39 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24851-daybreak-june-17-screwworm-projects-funded screwworm-USDA-photo-2018.png Screwworm larvae. (USDA photo) California pest system faces mounting pressure from trade, travel and e-commerce brad@agri-pulse.com California’s pest prevention system is working, but a new analysis warns it is under growing strain from trade, travel, e-commerce and aging infrastructure — just as the state prepares for new risks tied to the World Cup and Olympics. http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24839 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:04:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24839-california-pest-system-faces-mounting-pressure-from-trade-travel-and-e-commerce Mexican fruit fly The Mexican fruit fly, closely related to the Caribbean fruit fly, has made inroads through California, alongside several other fruit fly species. (USDA photo) Water board order puts ag communities at center of nitrate cleanup brad@agri-pulse.com The Central Valley water board’s first nitrate management zone order starts a decades-long cleanup effort around Modesto, promising continued drinking water help for rural households while giving farms, dairies and cities time to reduce groundwater contamination. http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24838 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:03:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24838-water-board-order-puts-ag-communities-at-center-of-nitrate-cleanup Dairy cows Dairy cows feed on the Central Coast of California (photo: Department of Water Resources) DPR proposes to raise pesticide penalties brad@agri-pulse.com California pesticide regulators are looking to raise penalties for serious and repeat violations, with a new enforcement proposal that could bring tougher fines and more statewide consistency to county pesticide cases. http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24840 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:02:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24840-dpr-proposes-to-raise-pesticide-penalties pesticide spraying USDA Crops covered in tarps for a pesticide application. (Photo: USDA) Water board drafts new dairy order as industry warns of farm losses brad@agri-pulse.com California water regulators are drafting a new dairy order that would tighten nitrate rules in the Central Valley. Dairy groups warn the proposal could add costly mandates for family-owned farms already under pressure. http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24841 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:01:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24841-water-board-drafts-new-dairy-order-as-industry-warns-of-farm-losses dairy cows Dairy cows line up to eat in the barn. (USDA photo) Will sustainable aviation fuel take off for American farmers? Sustainable aviation fuel is widely hailed by corn, soybean and ethanol groups as a future boon to the ag industry, but a raft of policy and market challenges must be overcome. Sustainable aviation fuel is widely hailed by corn, soybean and ethanol groups as a future boon to the ag industry, but a raft of policy and market challenges must be overcome. 

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24816 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:08:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24816-will-sustainable-aviation-fuel-take-off-for-american-farmers Canola field Starting next year, Etlas will partner with farmers in South America in growing canola for green jet fuel and renewable diesel. (Corteva photo) EU passes gene editing regulation steve@agri-pulse.com The European Union has adopted a regulation allowing streamlined approvals for gene-edited plants — a development that seed and biotech companies are lauding as a breakthrough on a continent known for its strict oversight of agricultural production. The European Union has adopted a regulation allowing streamlined approvals for gene-edited plants — a development that seed and biotech companies are lauding as a breakthrough on a continent known for its strict oversight of agricultural production.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24844 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:07:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24844-eu-passes-gene-editing-regulation 14-02-04-Parlement-européen-Strasbourg-RalfR-046.jpg European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France (Photo: Ralf Roletschek, CC BY 3.0) California lawmakers consider strict controls on data centers As debate ramps up nationwide over the impacts of data centers, California legislators may impose strict controls on how new ones would operate in the state and who would pay to power them. The legislation comes as the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and high-capacity cloud computing is accelerating data center development nationwide. As debate ramps up nationwide over the impacts of data centers, California legislators may impose strict controls on how new ones would operate in the state and who would pay to power them. The legislation comes as the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and high-capacity cloud computing is accelerating data center development nationwide.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24847 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:05:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24847-california-lawmakers-consider-strict-controls-on-data-centers DataCentersintheUS.jpg JBS to close two facilities, displacing nearly 2,000 workers grace@agri-pulse.com JBS announces closures of its Souderton beef plant and Memphis value‑added facility. JBS announces closures of its Souderton beef plant and Memphis value‑added facility.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24843 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:03:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24843-jbs-to-close-two-facilities-displacing-nearly-2-000-workers Meat_processing_processor_beef.jpg Meat inspectors at a processing plant inspect a side of beef. (USDA photo) Danone sues Chobani over allegedly misleading high-protein yogurt claims grace@agri-pulse.com Danone US is suing Chobani over an alleged “deceptive naming, labeling, and advertising campaign” involving protein yogurts. Danone US is suing Chobani over an alleged “deceptive naming, labeling, and advertising campaign” involving protein yogurts.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24837 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:02:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24837-danone-sues-chobani-over-allegedly-misleading-high-protein-yogurt-claims AP-JULY-2024-YOGURT.jpg (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Federal agencies roll out $125M in grants for university ag research grace@agri-pulse.com USDA and the Department of Education announced $125 million in annual funding to improve agricultural research facilities for land-grant universities and other colleges of agriculture. USDA and the Department of Education announced $125 million in annual funding to improve agricultural research facilities for land-grant universities and other colleges of agriculture. 

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24845 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:01:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24845-federal-agencies-roll-out-125m-in-grants-for-university-ag-research FLORIDA-AM-UNIVERSITY-Coleman-lib-836x627.jpg Florida A&M University (FAMU Coleman Library) Corn faces grim outlook without new biofuel markets, study says Demand for major U.S. crops like corn is waning while harvests get bigger, creating an urgent need to develop new new biofuel markets for American agriculture producers, a new study says. Demand for major U.S. crops like corn is waning while harvests get bigger, creating an urgent need to develop new new biofuel markets for American agriculture producers, a new study says.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24846 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:04:27 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24846-corn-faces-grim-outlook-without-new-biofuel-markets-study-says Grassley-USFRA-agripulse-photo-6-16-26-KC.jpg Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks at the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action event to announce the biofuel study (Agri-Pulse photo) Daybreak June 16: Fertilizer prices drop on news of peace deal noah@agri-pulse.com Price indicators for key farm inputs tumbled on Monday following news of the U.S.-Iran preliminary peace deal. The latest U.S. soybean crush data signals robust oilseed processing for the June-August quarter, says Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist for StoneX Group. Price indicators for key farm inputs tumbled on Monday following news of the U.S.-Iran preliminary peace deal. The latest U.S. soybean crush data signals robust oilseed processing for the June-August quarter, says Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist for StoneX Group.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24833 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:58:12 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24833-daybreak-june-16-fertilizer-prices-drop-on-news-of-peace-deal AP_Feb_23_fertilizer_anhydrous_ammonia.jpg (AP photo/Charlie Riedel) Daybreak June 15: Trump says Iran peace deal ‘complete’ noah@agri-pulse.com President Donald Trump announced a “deal” with Iran Sunday involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Circularity Fuels says it has completed the world’s first end-to-end conversion of raw agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, putting the California startup closer to making SAF at a cost rivaling standard jet fuel. President Donald Trump announced a “deal” with Iran Sunday involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Circularity Fuels says it has completed the world’s first end-to-end conversion of raw agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, putting the California startup closer to making SAF at a cost rivaling standard jet fuel.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24832 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:25:27 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24832-daybreak-june-15-trump-says-iran-peace-deal-complete Strait-of-Hormuz-pic-AP-5-4-26.jpg An Iranian tugboat floats in the foreground as cargo ships sit at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Monday, May 4, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP) Washington Week Ahead: U.S.-Iran reach peace deal as Trump heads to G7 A peace deal between the U.S. and Iran was forged Sunday after 107 days of war that wreaked economic chaos on global fuel and fertilizer supply chains. In Washington, the House is in recess all week while the Senate reconvenes Monday afternoon. A peace deal between the U.S. and Iran was forged Sunday after 107 days of war that wreaked economic chaos on global fuel and fertilizer supply chains. In Washington, the House is in recess all week while the Senate reconvenes Monday afternoon.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24830 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:58:58 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24830-washington-week-ahead-us-iran-reach-peace-deal-as-trump-heads-to-g7 Capitol Bldg WWA Biofuel groups laud changes in 45Z GREET update The Trump administration has released an eagerly awaited update to its GREET model, a tool used by the biofuel industry to determine the value of the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit more commonly known as 45Z.

The Trump administration has released an eagerly awaited update to its GREET model, a tool used by the biofuel industry to determine the value of the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit more commonly known as 45Z.  

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24829 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:21:36 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24829-biofuel-groups-laud-changes-in-45z-greet-update soybean field Soybean fields (Agri-Pulse file photo) Daybreak June 12: States outline costs of SNAP compliance noah@agri-pulse.com The costs states face in co-funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are comparable to the roughly $15 billion spent on transportation in fiscal 2025, the National Association of State Budget Officers tells Senate and House Agriculture committee leaders. USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears says 7,000 inspectors with the Food Safety Inspection Service are “leading the animal health charge” in the fight against New World screwworm, and the parasitic pest does not pose a threat to the food supply. The costs states face in co-funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are comparable to the roughly $15 billion spent on transportation in fiscal 2025, the National Association of State Budget Officers tells Senate and House Agriculture committee leaders. USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears says 7,000 inspectors with the Food Safety Inspection Service are “leading the animal health charge” in the fight against New World screwworm, and the parasitic pest does not pose a threat to the food supply.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24828 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:19:10 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24828-daybreak-june-12-states-outline-costs-of-snap-compliance AP-SNAP-photo-veggies.jpg Produce, which is covered by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is displayed for sale at a grocery store Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Marshall pulls support for bill to end California's Prop 12 Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, has withdrawn support for a bill that would nullify animal welfare laws like California's Proposition 12. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, has withdrawn support for a bill that would nullify animal welfare laws like California's Proposition 12. 

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24827 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:42:43 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24827-marshall-pulls-support-for-bill-to-end-californias-prop-12 AP-APRIL-2024-ROGER-MARSHALL-1.jpg AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib Daybreak June 11: USDA using terminated food programs to fund screwworm efforts noah@agri-pulse.com Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the $1.3 billion fight against a potentially deadly livestock pest includes federal funds reallocated from a local food buying program. Rollins said USDA is “stretched” on using the Commodity Credit Corporation because the $30 billion annual cap has not been increased since 1987. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the $1.3 billion fight against a potentially deadly livestock pest includes federal funds reallocated from a local food buying program. Rollins said USDA is “stretched” on using the Commodity Credit Corporation because the $30 billion annual cap has not been increased since 1987. 

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24825 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:18:39 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24825-daybreak-june-11-usda-using-terminated-food-programs-to-fund-screwworm-efforts Grocery Aisle A grocery store aisle. (Photo: Rich Johnstone Flickr) Trump says he's not sure whether to renew USMCA noah@agri-pulse.com President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed doubts about renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, which is up for reconsideration this year. President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed doubts about renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, which is up for reconsideration this year.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24823 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:05:58 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24823-trump-says-hes-not-sure-whether-to-renew-usmca Donald Trump White House Easter Egg Roll 2026 10.jpg President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters after blowing the whistle to start the egg roll. (Agri-Pulse photo) Rollins touts deregulation, nutrition reset and ag labor reforms to produce sector lydia@agri-pulse.com Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins used her time with the International Fresh Produce Association to highlight the administration’s deregulation push, as well as efforts to reshape federal nutrition policy, expand export markets, lower labor costs and support specialty crop producers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins used her time with the International Fresh Produce Association to highlight the administration’s deregulation push, as well as efforts to reshape federal nutrition policy, expand export markets, lower labor costs and support specialty crop producers.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24822 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:25:55 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24822-rollins-touts-deregulation-nutrition-reset-and-ag-labor-reforms-to-produce-sector Brooke Rollins USDA Ag Secretary IFPA photo.jpg Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins addresses the International Fresh Produce Association's Washington Conference. (IFPA photo) Agri-Pulse announces ‘Great Tomato Challenge’ winners Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Assemblymember Avelina Valencia is the winner of the third annual Great Tomato Challenge. Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Assemblymember Avelina Valencia is the winner of the third annual Great Tomato Challenge.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24821 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:12:11 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24821-agri-pulse-announces-great-tomato-challenge-winners Agri-Pulse-West_Tomato Challenge 2026.jpg From left: Agri‑Pulse Founder Sara Wyant; a staff member for Asm. Avelina Valencia; and Jenny Maloney of Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds. Food, energy prices up in May as inflation hits 4.2% over past year steve@agri-pulse.com Beef prices fell but energy prices rose, helping lead to a 0.5% rise in inflation in May and a 4.2% 12-month increase that is the largest jump in three years. Beef prices fell but energy prices rose, helping lead to a 0.5% rise in inflation in May and a 4.2% 12-month increase that is the largest jump in three years.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24819 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:03:22 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24819-food-energy-prices-up-in-may-as-inflation-hits-42-over-past-year Product of USA label beef USDA.jpg U.S. beef. (USDA photo) Daybreak June 10: Ag labor draft bill would expand H-2A noah@agri-pulse.com House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., is calling to broaden a U.S. temporary agricultural worker program under an early draft of a proposed ag labor bill.  House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., is calling to broaden a U.S. temporary agricultural worker program under an early draft of a proposed ag labor bill.

]]> http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24817 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:51:52 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24817-daybreak-june-10-ag-labor-draft-bill-would-expand-h-2a Farm Field Workers (USDA photo) Bettencourt tapped to lead Reclamation brad@agri-pulse.com California ag and water policy veteran Aubrey Bettencourt is expected to be nominated to lead the Bureau of Reclamation as the agency faces major decisions over Colorado River rules and federal water deliveries in the West. http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24820 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:24:04 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24820-bettencourt-tapped-to-lead-reclamation Aubrey_Bettencourt_NAFB.jpg Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Aubrey Bettencourt (USDA photo).  Clean air bill targeting freight hubs stalls over cost concerns for supply chains brad@agri-pulse.com California air regulators are looking for new tools to tackle warehouse and freight pollution as federal rollbacks threaten clean air gains. But a bill to expand CARB’s authority stalled after farm and supply chain groups warned it could raise costs across the food and goods movement sectors. http://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24805 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:04:00 -0400 https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24805-clean-air-bill-targeting-freight-hubs-stalls-over-cost-concerns-for-supply-chains port-strike-Houston-AP.jpg The Barbours Cut Container Terminal in Houston. (AP photo)