Washington's First HPAI Case and Ag Lending Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in two Yakima County dairy farms, and Ag lending at commercial banks continued to grow during the second quarter.

Vilsack to Speak at Brooks Event and Ag Lending Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
Former Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack will make a presentation at this year's D.W. Brooks Signature Event Nov. 19 at the University of Georgia, and Ag lending at commercial banks continued to grow during the second quarter.

Tariff-Free Beef Imports a Nothing Burger

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The Trump administration’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free foreign-grown beef may not be having the anticipated impact.

Farm Bill Expires, What is Going on With Sulphur?

Line on Agriculture
The 2018 Farm Bill’s expiration has put new Conservation Reserve Program contracts and some other agricultural programs on hold. Meanwhile, sulfur supply concerns—including restricted exports and disruptions to global trade—are creating uncertainty for farmers, even though sulfur-based fertilizers were unexpectedly cheap this summer.

Diesel and Fuel Prices

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Crude oil prices have shown signs of easing, but diesel prices are not following suit, putting even more pressure on the farm economy.

AI in Ag Attitudes Differ and Crude Oil Prices Ease

The Agribusiness Update
Farmers in the U.S. and Argentina have sharply different views about the benefits of artificial intelligence in agriculture, and crude oil prices have shown signs of easing, but diesel prices are not following suit, putting more pressure on the farm economy.

Xi and Trump Talk Trade and Diesel Prices Skyrocket

The Agribusiness Update
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Trump in Washington last week and agreed to extend their trade truce through Jan. 10, and record-high diesel prices are pressuring farmers while the Trump administration considers whether restricting diesel exports could provide relief.

Beef Imports Rise, Grocery Prices Barely Budge

California Ag Today
Three weeks of Farm Bureau data show little change at the meat counter following the White House quota expansion.

Country of Origin Labeling and Farm Economy has Changed Since 2018 Farm Bill

The Agribusiness Update
Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef moved closer to returning after the Senate Ag Committee advanced its 2026 farm bill, and the farm economy has changed significantly since the last farm bill was enacted in 2018.

2027 Beef Forecast Lowered, ARC and PLC Sign Ups are Open

Line on Agriculture
USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board trimmed its 2027 beef production outlook by 150 million pounds on lower 2026 placements and lighter slaughter weights. The USDA Farm Service Agency is now accepting ARC/PLC enrollments through December 11.

Sandison New NASDA President and Judge Pauses USDA Scramble

The Agribusiness Update
During the 2026 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Annual Meeting, members elected Washington State Ag Director Derek Sandison as NASDA’s new President, and a federal judge considers a temporary pause on USDA plans to relocate employees across the country.

GFB's I Farm-I Vote Campaign and Judge Pauses USDA Scramble

The Agribusiness Update
GFB’s I Farm. I Vote. campaign is encouraging Georgians to become informed, engaged and active participants in the electoral process, and a federal judge considers a temporary pause on USDA plans to relocate employees across the country.

Peanuts and Cotton Feel the Squeeze

Southeast Regional Ag News
Lower projected revenues and higher input costs put more pressure on Southeast crop margins.

Florida Ag Hall of Fame Inductees and Farmers & High Fuel Prices

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson and the Florida Ag Hall of Fame announced their 2027 Hall of Fame Inductees, and high fuel prices are another financial headache for farmers.

Winegrape Decline and Farmers & High Fuel Prices

The Agribusiness Update
Since 2023, declining wine consumption left California winegrape growers with an oversupply of grapes, forcing many to sell at a loss or watch it rot on the vines, and high fuel prices are another financial headache for farmers.

Operating Meyer Farm

Idaho Ag Today
The Meyer Family Farm grows a lot of hay up on the Rotherham prairie. Kyle Meyer talks about some of the specifics of his operation.

The Goalpost Keeps Moving

California Ag Today
Improved crop revenue projections collide with record-high fertilizer and rising diesel costs.

Sulfur Prices Need Help and China's Soybean Purchases

The Agribusiness Update
Florida lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to address sharply higher sulfur prices that threaten domestic phosphate fertilizer production and increase costs, and China purchased about 1 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans last week, providing a boost to American growers.

Trump EOs Back Ranchers, COOL Needs Congress; 300K MT Beef Imports Will Come Revealed

Line on Agriculture
Executive orders aim to support ranchers but stop short of reinstating mandatory COOL. The National Farmers Union is urging Congress to act, noting a Senate Farm Bill amendment would restore COOL.

In a follow-up, the administration authorized 300,000 metric tons of lower-tariff beef imports over 90 days to ease prices. Now we know where the beef will come from.

Idaho hop acres up

Idaho Ag Today
Idaho hop acres rebound a little….After plummeting the past two years.