Post 4th of July Break Farm Bill Work

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Congress is back in session after the July 4th recess with Senate ag leaders resuming efforts to pass a new farm bill.

Ag Exports to Mexico and Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework

The Agribusiness Update
Mexico remains the top market for U.S. food and agricultural exports at 18% of total U.S. food and ag exports, and USDA and Small Business Administration sign new agreement aimed at helping farmers, ranchers, and small rural businesses challenge unfair federal regulatory and enforcement actions.

Growth Energy Celebrates Women in Ag, John Deere Settle Right to Repair

Line on Agriculture
John Deere has agreed to a right to repair settlement with the FTC and five states, mandating that they provide independent repair shops with the same access to repair tools and software as their dealers. This is in response to an anti-competitive conduct lawsuit filed in early 2025. Meanwhile, Growth Energy's CEO, Emily Skor is excited about an upcoming Women in Ethanol luncheon to celebrate the role women are playing in the industry.

Farm Labor Fix Legislation

Fruit Grower Report
A decades-long problem with ag labor is being addressed in some new legislation recently introduced in the House of Representatives.

California New World Screwworm Plan and Right to Repair Agreement

The Agribusiness Update
As the New World screwworm expands into the U.S. from Mexico, California’s pest exclusion leaders already have developed a response plan, and an agreement announced by John Deere and the FTC ensures farmers and ranchers will have access to the diagnostic and repair tools to help maintain and repair equipment.

USA Peanut Congress and Right to Repair Agreement

The Agribusiness Update
The National Peanut Board spent an energizing week with industry leaders in June at the 30th annual USA Peanut Congress, and an agreement announced by John Deere and the FTC ensures farmers and ranchers will have access to the diagnostic and repair tools to help maintain and repair equipment.

H-2A Program Growth Renews Labor Reform Conversation

Southeast Regional Ag News
As use of the H-2A guest worker program climbs, proposed legislation aims to modernize rules that have remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years.

John Rich Named Special Envoy for American Landowners, Vows to Fight Regulatory Burden

Line on Agriculture
John Rich, a country music artist and newly appointed special envoy for American landowners, aims to represent landowners to the federal government, addressing issues with various agencies like the EPA, HUD, and USDA. He is working to reverse regulations imposed by the Biden administration that he believes negatively impact farmers and ranchers, contributing to their inability to be cash flow positive.

Foreign Aid and USDA

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Who should run foreign food aid: the USDA or the State Department?

Sterilizing screworms

Idaho Ag Today
A new sterile-fly production plant opened in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, Mexico, on June 27, 2026.

USMCA Review

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, negotiated during the first Trump administration, has officially entered its six-year renewal period.

Dairy Export Expansion Strategy

Line on Agriculture
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is looking to expand and diversify its dairy export strategy through Project Diversify, a data-driven initiative that simplifies complex export market information into actionable insights for exporters.

Securing Ag Workforce Act and Push for Prop 12 Fix in Farm Bill

The Agribusiness Update
Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 would broaden access to H-2A workers, and agricultural groups are urging the Senate Ag Committee to include language in their final bill to address the problems caused by California’s Proposition 12.

Heat stress in cows

Idaho Ag Today
Heat Stress Management in Dairy Cattle Helps Protect the Bottom Line.

AI and cow health

Idaho Ag Today
Technology can save time and labor, but “good data” is the key

Consider data quality and quantity when choosing your technology partner.

Farm Bill Progress

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says there are many benefits in the Senate version of the Farm Bill, but some improvements are still needed.

Farm Bill Draft from Senate

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Senate Ag Democrats insist that they must have a delay in state SNAP cost sharing before they can support Chairman John Boozman’s farm bill draft.

Florida Pavillion at Great American State Fair and Agricultural Act of 2026

The Agribusiness Update
Governor Ron DeSantis is celebrating the opening of the Florida Pavilion at the Great American State Fair, and calling it the “Agricultural Act of 2026,” Senate Ag Chair John Boozman releases bill discussion text.

American Ag trade

Idaho Ag Today
Opportunities for ag trade in two South American nations. Argentina and then to Ecuador, both of which signed agreements on reciprocal trade.

Northwest Cherry Harvest and Senate Farm Bill Proposal

The Agribusiness Update
The Northwest cherry season has entered its peak shipping window, with volumes now at their highest levels of the year, and a new Senate farm bill proposal could face an uphill battle after reports indicated it does NOT include a delay in planned changes to SNAP funding.