California Wolf Problems and Ag Trade Deficit Grows

California Wolf Problems and Ag Trade Deficit Grows

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.

**As California’s wolf population grows, Lassen County rancher Taylor Hagata warns the protected species is pushing the state’s ranchers and rural communities to a breaking point.

Hagata wrote, what’s happening now is an unsustainable shift. We need to protect property rights and public safety, regulations that let farmers and ranchers continue to do what they do best, creating safe, reliable food while conserving open space for wildlife and future generations.

##The USDA’s cotton projections for 2025-26 indicate a decrease in world cotton ending stocks to 76.8 million bales, slightly below the previous marketing year but the third highest since 2015-16.

Global cotton production is estimated at 117 million bales, 2.5% below last year.

U.S. cotton production was down a half-million bales this month to 14 million, nearly 3% below the previous marketing year but about 2.5% above previous marketing year averages.

**The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is widening in 2025, driven by shifting global trade dynamics and rising import demand.

USDA’s Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade report shows from January through April, the U.S. imported $78.2 billion in ag products while exporting just $58.5 billion.

This $19.7 billion deficit is the largest ever recorded for the first four months of a year.

U.S. agriculture has been in an ag trade deficit since 2022.

**Public listening sessions on the future of the Waters of the U.S. rule have wrapped up, and the Trump administration says it plans to have the rule completed by the end of the year.

Throughout the sessions, there was a clear divide between what agriculture and industry groups and environmental groups are seeking in WOTUS, as ag reps said they wanted clearer definitions while environmental groups asked for no changes to the rule.

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