Top Apple Varieties

Fruit Grower Report
With apple harvest underway, it shouldn’t be too long before we get a taste of our favorite varieties.

Trump Strengthens U.S. Cattle Industry and DOJ Investigates Record Beef Prices

The Agribusiness Update
President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at strengthening the U.S. cattle industry, and the Department of Justice is expanding its investigation into record-high beef prices.

Will More Imported Beef Mean Cheaper Beef?

Southeast Regional Ag News
Farm Bureau says the answer is far from certain.

Beef Import Plan

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Farmers and ranchers are bracing for the impact of President Trump’s plan to allow beef imports to increase by 660-million pounds over a 90-day period.

August Apple Estimates

Fruit Grower Report
If you’ve been wondering why it’s September, harvest has started and you haven’t heard any kind of estimate or forecast for the 2026 Washington apple crop, that’s because, according to Michael Schadler, president of the Washington Apple Commission, the industry has decided to wait.

Dairy Protein Increase and Canada's Retaliatory Tariffs

The Agribusiness Update
U.S. dairy producers are stepping up efforts to increase the protein content of milk due to changing market incentives and global demand, and Canada’s retaliatory tariffs may not be directly aimed at American farmers, but ...!

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.

Year-Round E15 Continues to Be Top Priority for AFBF, POTUS Expand Meat Processing

Line on Agriculture
The American Farm Bureau Federation continues to push federal legislation that will allow for year-round sales of E15 fuel

President Donald Trump also addressed the beef packing industry's market dominance, expressing his intention to empower more farmers and ranchers to process their own meat.

Ground Beef Import Proclamation Signed by POTUS, H-2A Worker Wage Rate Verdict

Line on Agriculture
President Donald Trump's proclamation to remove tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of imported lean beef trimmings has drawn criticism from some Republicans and the U.S. cattle industry, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

A federal judge has invalidated a Trump administration rule that would have lowered wages for some foreign farm workers, citing insufficient public input.

Congress Returns from Recess

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Congress returns from its August with much unfinished business and huge impacts for agriculture.

Talks with Canada Escalate and Farmers Afraid to Speak

The Agribusiness Update
Canada is escalating its trade fight with the U.S., announcing retaliatory tariffs on about $19.9 billion worth of U.S. goods, including dairy and agricultural equipment, and ag leaders say farm country is facing a serious crisis and farmers are increasingly afraid to speak publicly.

USApple Forecast

Fruit Grower Report
While it is true that an August apple forecast was not put out by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association this year, you may have seen one from the US Apple Association.

Rebuilding the U.S. Herds

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The Trump administration has announced a new plan aimed at lowering beef prices for consumers, but will the plan negatively impact the farm economy?

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.

Apple Outlook for 2026

Fruit Grower Report
Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says most of what he's hearing from growers, as apple harvest gets underway, is promising.

Cattle Inventory Up, Placements Down, POTUS Beef Import Plan Critisized

Line on Agriculture
The USDA's August Cattle o Feed report showed a rise in feedlot inventory to over 11.1 million head, up nearly 200,000 from the previous year.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association criticized President Trump's call to increase beef imports, warning it could hinder efforts to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd

Ag Problems Recognized in Olympia

Fruit Grower Report
Washington State Tree Fruit Association President, Jon

DeVaney says challenges for the ag industry may be getting a bit more attention in Olympia.

Farm Bill Likelihood

Fruit Grower Report
There are some doubts out there among lawmakers about the likelihood of getting a new Farm Bill done this year, but there’ also still some hope out there.

Mexico - China Trade Restrictions

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The Mexican government is considering tougher trade restrictions on Chinese imports, a move likely to be supported by President Trump.