EPA Grants RFS Exemptions, USDA Introduces New Rancher Intiative

Line on Agriculture
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted 1.76 billion gallons of exemptions from the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard. EPA plans to reallocate these volumes to 2026 and 2027 obligations, effectively neutralizing the impact.

Meanwhile, the USDA's Ranchers First Initiative introduces a new insurance option for ranchers to retain heifers for breeding, expands disaster assistance, supports small beef processors, and prioritizes American beef in federal procurement.

Brazilan Beef Tariff Exemption Proposal Causes Concern

Line on Agriculture
The White House is considering an exemption for Brazilian beef imports to increase supply and lower beef prices for consumers. Sigrid Johannes, Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, expresses concerns about the proposal.

WSTFA Lobbying Efforts

Fruit Grower Report
Much of what the Washington State Tree Fruit Association is focused on is engagement in state government affairs to help address the market uncertainty driven by government policy.

New Tax Benefits

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
With the April 15th tax deadline in a couple of days, farmers are looking for shelters and other benefits they may not have had in the past.

Regulatory Shift Could Benefit California Dairy Processors

California Ag Today
The National Milk Producers Federation says the exemption cuts unnecessary requirements tied to the Food Traceability List.

FDA Grants Cottage Cheese Exemption

Southeast Regional Ag News
The National Milk Producers Federation says existing dairy safety oversight made additional traceability requirements unnecessary.

Ag Priorities in Olympia

Fruit Grower Report
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association came into this year’s legislative session with a list of priorities and will leave with plenty of following up to do.

California Snowpack Low and New 10% Tariffs

The Agribusiness Update
Despite a strong start to California’s wet season, the snowpack remains below average, which could mean less water available for summer irrigation, and a new 10% U.S. tariff on goods from around the world took effect last Tuesday.

National Peanut Board Donates to FARE and New 10% Tariffs

The Agribusiness Update
Food Allergy Research & Education, or FARE, announced a $2.5 million investment from the National Peanut Board to accelerate a cure for food allergies, and a new 10% U.S. tariff on goods from around the world took effect last Tuesday.

Agriculture Crisis

Fruit Grower Report
David DuCharme, lobbyist for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, says the situation agriculture finds itself in today is undeniable.

WSTFA Lobbying Efforts

Fruit Grower Report
Washington State Tree Fruit Association members and staff gathered in Olympia recently to try and help close the ag knowledge gap between lawmakers and growers. WSTFA lobbyist, David Ducharme ...

Federal CARE Act Aims to Update Child Labor Standards for Agriculture

Southeast Regional Ag News
Rep. Raul Ruiz reintroduces the bill as national farmworker groups and limited past Southeast support highlight ongoing safety concerns for young workers

Federal CARE Act Reintroduced to Strengthen Child Labor Protections in Agriculture

California Ag Today
California Congressman Raul Ruiz revives legislation aimed at aligning farm labor rules for minors with national standards

IDWR water rights

Idaho Ag Today
IDWR agents work to bring all 743 water users into compliance with July Methodology Order; existing curtailment, mitigation activities.

Crapo and big beautiful bill

Idaho Ag Today
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo says the One Big Beautiful Bill is One Big Beautiful win for Idaho farmers and ranchers.

Big Wins and Key Deadlines in Southeast Ag

Southeast Regional Ag News
From tax savings to farmland preservation, here’s what producers need to know now.

CCA Exemption Update Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Governor signs update bill that secures agriculture's exempt status from the CCA fuel tax.

CCA Exemption Update Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Governor signs update bill that secures agriculture's exempt status from the CCA fuel tax.

Mexican Tomato Agreement and U.S. Denies Japan's Tariff Exemption

The Agribusiness Update
Mexican Ag Minister Julio Berdegue reaches agreements with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins on Mexican tomato imports, and the U.S. has denied Japan’s push for full exemption from both “reciprocal” and country-specific tariffs.

Tax Relief and Federal Aid on the Way for Farmers Hit by Hurricane Helene

Southeast Regional Ag News
Georgia’s governor has signed off on tax breaks for producers recovering from Hurricane Helene, helping keep more federal disaster relief in farmers’ pockets. With federal dollars set to start flowing soon, Southeast ag producers may finally see some much-needed relief.