Florida Farmer of the Year Finalists and Chinese Soybean Purchases Surge

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Farm Bureau has named the finalists for its 2027 Florida Farmer of the Year award, and Chinese purchases helped drive a sharp increase in U.S. soybean export sales during the latest reporting week.

Pause in USDA Relocations and Chinese Soybean Purchases Surge

The Agribusiness Update
A federal judge in California has extended a temporary pause on USDA employee relocations while considering whether to block the moves indefinitely, and Chinese purchases helped drive a sharp increase in U.S. soybean export sales during the latest reporting week.

USDA Looks to Modernize How It Builds Crop Estimates

California Ag Today
With farmer survey response rates declining, USDA is looking to satellites, streamlined reporting and new technology to strengthen agricultural data.

USDA Rethinks the Numbers Behind Crop Reports

Southeast Regional Ag News
A new modernization plan looks to ease the survey burden on farmers while bringing satellite imagery and other technology into USDA data collection.

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.

Cattle Prices High, Margins Tight — Packers Hit with Class-Action Suit

Line on Agriculture
Cattle prices are strong but rising input costs and inflation are squeezing producer margins, while a federal judge has certified a class-action alleging major packers manipulated markets (2015–2020) by slowing slaughter and coordinating purchases to depress prices.

The Cost of Cosmetic Damage in Stone Fruit

California Ag Today
Inking, staining, and skin discoloration are putting added pressure on stone fruit quality this season.

Codify H-2A Wage Rates

Fruit Grower Report
While a federal district court recently upheld the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A ag workers, farmers and ag groups are concerned that the current rates could be reversed or drastically amended by a future administration.

More Beef Imports Could Shift Markets

California Ag Today
A proposed policy change is drawing concern from ranchers across rural America.

House Vs Senate Farm Bill

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Prospects for the farm bill are not looking good in the Senate according to one longtime senator.

Southeast Cattle Producers Watch Beef Import Debate

Southeast Regional Ag News
Ranchers across the region are monitoring possible changes to U.S. beef import policy.

Farm Bridge Assistance

Idaho Ag Today
Updated information on two USDA assistance programs. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation starts first with the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.

Pressure Builds on Beef Packers

California Ag Today
New insights show how limited cattle supplies are forcing gradual but significant industry changes.

Fewer Cattle, Big Consequences

Southeast Regional Ag News
A new newsletter from Derrell Peel explains how shrinking herd sizes are forcing changes in beef packing capacity.

National Ethanol Conference in Orlando and Advanced Materials for Farm Equipment

The Agribusiness Update
Speaking at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Renewable Fuels Association President Geoff Cooper

celebrates record 2025, and researchers are developing advanced materials that could make farm equipment lighter, stronger and more durable.

The Business of Bloom

Southeast Regional Ag News
New figures detail how pollination investments are shaping this year’s crop budgets.

A Historic Split

California Ag Today
The dairy industry is producing near record volumes in 2026 while maintaining the smallest heifer pipeline since the late 1970s.

Sugar beet relief

Idaho Ag Today
Brooke Rollins announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $150 million in assistance to American sugar beet growers.

Peanut Producers Set to Receive $55.65 Per Acre

Southeast Regional Ag News
USDA announced payment rates under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, with payments expected by February 28, 2026.

Cotton Council Appreciates Bridge Payments and Cost of Farming Gap Grows

The Agribusiness Update
National Cotton Council appreciates payment rates under the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, and farmers are facing one of the widest gaps between what they pay to produce food and what they earn from selling it.