Food

Daybreak June 11: USDA using terminated food programs to fund screwworm efforts

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:18:39 -0400

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.

Rollins touts deregulation, nutrition reset and ag labor reforms to produce sector

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:25:55 -0400

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.

Food, energy prices up in May as inflation hits 4.2% over past year

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:03:22 -0400

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.

States gird for changes in SNAP, urge delays as USDA seeks data

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:07:00 -0400

USDA and blue states aren’t giving an inch in their continuing battle over SNAP data, as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins continues to blast the program as rife with fraud, waste and abuse. The fight over SNAP was highlighted at a recent House Agriculture Committee hearing where Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., harshly criticized Rollins over SNAP.

Kennedy: Defining ultra-processed foods is first step toward reshaping Americans' diets

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:06:47 -0400

Speaking to attendees at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the UPF definition is currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget with a goal of unveiling a final publication in “the next couple of months.”

Winemaking weather woes muddle vineyard economics, study shows

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:05:00 -0400

A new Cornell University study examines the tradeoffs involved for wine grape growers when trying to adapt to more extreme weather versus completely changing grape varieties or picking up and moving elsewhere.

Medical schools, boards to update nutrition education requirements

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:03:00 -0400

Nineteen medical schools have agreed to require at least 40 hours of nutrition education or an equivalent by this fall, joining 54 others that have already made such commitments, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday.

UN report identifies disparities in livestock consumption

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:02:00 -0400

A new report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization shows that low-fat terrestrial animal source foods – mostly dairy products, eggs and meat – are often unavailable in small stores serving marginalized communities.

Daybreak June 9: Senate Ag’s farm bill gets pushed back

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:28:08 -0400

The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to consider a farm bill during the work period between July 4th and August recesses, Chair John Boozman, R-Ark., says. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the nomination of Glen Smith to be undersecretary of agriculture for rural development along party lines, setting the stage for a Senate floor vote.

Daybreak June 8: Canada limits livestock imports

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:14:28 -0400

It’s another big week as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins grapples with a threat to livestock, senators work on a farm bill, and President Donald Trump says he’s focused on ending war with Iran and lowering costs for ag producers and other Americans. A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction barring the Agriculture Department from withholding funding from a group of states through a terms and conditions framework that seeks to comply with Trump administration policies on gender, immigration and diversity.

Vaden, union clash over relocation of food and nutrition employees

steve@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:04:34 -0400

Union members at USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration – formerly the Food and Nutrition Service, or FNS – are pushing back against criticism by the Ag Department’s deputy secretary that their demands during relocation negotiations are unreasonable.

Daybreak June 4: New World screwworm found in Texas

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:03:26 -0400

A case of New World screwworm has been found in a 3-week-old South Texas calf, USDA officials confirmed Wednesday. The House is poised to vote Thursday on an agriculture and FDA funding bill that backers say ensures critical investments in research, rural development and the health of plants and animals.

Daybreak June 3: School meal proposals coming this year, Vaden says

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:06:37 -0400

The Agriculture Department will seek comment later this year on proposals aimed at aligning new federal dietary guidelines with school meal standards, Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden says. Rep. Randy Feenstra suffered a surprising defeat in Iowa’s GOP gubernatorial primary Tuesday, losing to businessman Zach Lahn despite a late endorsement from President Donald Trump.

SNAP cost shift fight threatens Senate farm bill 2.0

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:10:00 -0400

SNAP cost-structure changes threaten to derail the farm bill, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar, ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, says she has an "excellent working relationship" with Chair John Boozman.

Ag industry pushes EPA to approve pesticides waiting in the wings

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:07:00 -0400

Agricultural industry leaders are sounding the alarm over delays at the EPA in getting dozens of applications approved for new active ingredients and new uses for already registered pesticides.

Farm Journal releases report on dairy industry

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:02:00 -0400

Farm Journal released its annual State of the Dairy Industry report, detailing both the challenges and triumphs of the past year for dairy operators.

Daybreak June 2: Trump says Iran war negotiations continuing

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:34:18 -0400

President Donald Trump says he doesn’t care if negotiations with Iran over the U.S.-Israeli war on the country are over. Sixty-five national and state commodity groups on Monday asked the Commerce Department to remove countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports.

Daybreak June 1: Voters go to polls in half dozen states

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:33:41 -0400

The week ahead will be filled with primary elections in key states and events on Capitol Hill, including an appearance by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who will testify before the House Ag Committee Thursday. Biofuels are the clear golden child of the crop-based agriculture sector, even as uncertainty persists around key issues like E15 and 45Z.

USDA opening $1.625B specialty crop aid program

steve@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 16:08:22 -0400

Specialty crop growers can apply soon for financial assistance under a $1.625 billion program announced by the Agriculture Department Friday.

Daybreak May 29: Zeldin talks WOTUS on Newsmakers

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 09:20:41 -0400

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says he could rush out a final Waters of the U.S. rule — but it’s more important to get it right. U.S. and Indian officials will meet next week with the aim of finalizing details of an interim agreement and continue broader negotiations, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry says.

Fertilizer probe is underway, FTC chairman tells farmers

steve@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:06:55 -0400

The chairman of the Federal Trade Commission tells farmers who have long been critical of crop nutrient price swings that the FTC has launched a major investigation into U.S. fertilizer pricing practices,

Zeldin vows ‘no bias’ in EPA’s safety review of glyphosate

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 14:11:26 -0400

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says his agency's review of glyphosate will reflect whatever the science says.

Hatch announces $40 million initiative to provide protein meals to food banks

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:46:52 -0400

The non-profit Hatch aims to close the "protein gap" through a new initiative that aims to provide 3 billion protein-based meals to Americans annually.

Daybreak May 27: DOT grants hours-of-service relief for fertilizer haulers

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:21:26 -0400

Fertilizer haulers will be exempt from certain hours-of-service rules for the rest of 2026 under a waiver approved by the Transportation Department on Tuesday. The nation’s largest union representing federal workers is criticizing a proposal that could force employees to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of employment.

SNAP participation down since July 2025, study shows

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:03:00 -0400

A new study shows that SNAP participation has dropped significantly since the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Daybreak May 26: Chinese poultry restrictions lifted

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 09:23:40 -0400

Seventeen states are no longer facing HPAI restrictions for exports of poultry to China, the National Chicken Council says. Winning a trade war is the premise of a new book on the subject from economist Chad Bown and Financial Times columnist Soumaya Keynes.

Daybreak May 22: SNAP showdown awaits

oliver@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 09:37:51 -0400

A major fight on the cost structure of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be waiting when senators return from a weeklong recess on June 1. A forthcoming farm bill proposal from the Senate Ag Committee won’t include controversial provisions on pesticide labeling and livestock welfare, a panel spokesperson tells Agri-Pulse.

Daybreak May 20: Rubio stumps for Lindberg at UN

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:30:59 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making the case at the United Nations to push Luke Lindberg’s candidacy to lead the World Food Program. The International Trade Commission is grappling with whether antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes are still necessary to protect U.S. industry.

State shelves food additive crackdown after industry pushback

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:06:00 -0400

California lawmakers shelved a food additive disclosure bill after food and ag groups warned it would create a costly state-only regulatory system. But the fight over GRAS ingredients and ultraprocessed foods is far from over.

Corteva basks in seed prowess while chasing new breakthroughs

Wed, 20 May 2026 06:05:00 -0400

As Corteva prepares to split its seed and crop genetics business into a separate company, the agribusiness is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Pioneer brand, which helped revolutionize modern agriculture.