Country of Origin Labeling and Farm Economy has Changed Since 2018 Farm Bill
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef moved closer to returning after the Senate Ag Committee advanced its 2026 farm bill.
The legislation includes an amendment tied to the American Beef Labeling Act that would restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling, or MCOOL, for beef.
The proposal directs USDA and U.S. Trade Representative to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant labeling system within one year.
MCOOL requires retailers to identify where cattle were born, raised and slaughtered.
**The farm economy has changed significantly since the last farm bill was enacted in 2018.
Studies from multiple farm groups show the prices-paid index for crop production inputs climbed more than 38% since 2018, while the prices-received increased only 24%.
With that, break-even prices increase and producers have less room to absorb market declines or unexpected expenses.
Farmers and ranchers have also faced higher interest rates, rising equipment and farmland costs, and increasing debt.
**China’s purchases of U.S. ag products remain well below the pace needed to meet a recently announced trade commitment.
The White House said in May that China would purchase at least 17 billion dollars of U.S. farm goods annually through 2028.
Soybeans were excluded because China separately pledged to increase soybean purchases, but USDA data shows China bought just 3.9 billion dollars of U.S. agricultural products, excluding soybeans, through July.
