H-2A Reforms on Hold and Ag Trade Deficit Down

The Agribusiness Update
A court ruling casts uncertainty over recent reforms to the H-2A ag guestworker program, leaving current wage rates in place for now, and U.S. ag exports are expected to strengthen as USDA raised its trade forecast and projected a smaller ag trade deficit for 2026.

Constellation announces $100 million

Idaho Ag Today
Constellation announces $100 million investment that includes Idaho farmers.

Mexican Livestock Trade Resumes and Trade Delegation to Australia

The Agribusiness Update
USDA began reopening Southwest ports for livestock trade last week, more than a year after suspending crossings to slow the spread of New World Screwworm, and USDA sent a delegation to Australia last week to strengthen export opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Retaliatory Tariffs from Canada

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
U.S. farm exports face possible retaliatory Canadian tariffs after talks between the two nations collapsed, triggering 50% U.S. duties on many Canadian exports, including farm goods.

California Lettuce and Cyclospora and AFBF Urges Resume Talks with Canada

The Agribusiness Update
California lettuce was not implicated in a sprawling cyclospora outbreak that’s sickened thousands of people this summer, and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is urging the U.S. and Canada to return to the negotiating table.

Southeast Pork Alliance and AFBF Urges Resume Talks with Canada

The Agribusiness Update
During the Southeast Summer Conference in July, six state pork organizations announced the formation of the Southeast Pork Alliance, and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is urging the U.S. and Canada to return to the negotiating table.

New Market Access for U.S. Red Meat

California Ag Today
Nigeria opens wider to U.S. beef and pork as trade remains top of mind.

English EPA Appointment and USDA Beef Export Data Errors

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Farm Bureau member Kate English has been appointed to the EPA’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee, and Democratic senators seeking answers from the USDA after a major error in U.S. beef export sales data.

Climate-Smart Farming Cuts and USDA Beef Export Data Errors

The Agribusiness Update
Lynda Hopkins, of the California Air Resources Board, criticized anticipated cuts to state-funded programs that incentivize climate-smart farming practices, and Democratic senators seeking answers from the USDA after a major error in U.S. beef export sales data.

Tarriff Free Beef to Enter the US, Brazil Fades as US Ethanol Competitor

Line on Agriculture
President Trump announced a 90-day tariff-free import of 300,000 metric tons of ground beef.

Brazil's ethanol industry expansion, driven by Chinese investment, is reducing Brazil's role in the global corn market.

Canadian's Push Back on Tariffs

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Following through on his mandate that “no deal is better than a bad deal,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended U.S. trade negotiations and recalled his negotiators late Friday.

Wheat Prices

Idaho Ag Today
Lower domestic wheat production forecast as expected, led to tightening of USDA's U.S. wheat balance sheet in August.

Canada Avoids Tariffs and Potato Sales Stable

The Agribusiness Update
Canada has temporarily avoided a 50% U.S. tariff after reaching a last-minute agreement with the Trump administration, and retail potato sales remained stable during the 12-month period from July 2025 through June 2026.

USMCA Review Puts Ag Trade in Focus

Southeast Regional Ag News
Farmers watch negotiations with two of their most important export markets

Agriculture Has Billions Riding on USMCA

California Ag Today
Nearly $60 billion in agricultural exports went to Canada and Mexico in 2024

NFU on Farm Bill Failure and Beef Export Value

The Agribusiness Update
After the Senate Ag Committee failed to advance the farm bill, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said farmers cannot afford more delay, and although volume of U.S. beef exports was down slightly in June, the value was up to $790 million.

Could Father’s Day Become U.S. Beef Day in Japan?

Southeast Regional Ag News
USMEF promotion encourages consumers to celebrate Dad with American beef.

Trade Agreements Boost Farm Exports

Farm of the Future
Strong export demand remains critical for U.S. farmers.

USMEF Looks to Make U.S. Beef a Father's Day Tradition in Japan

California Ag Today
Creative holiday campaign aims to boost demand for U.S. beef exports

USMCA and Dairy

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement was something that had already been in process before July one, but July one was the trigger date.