California Budget Hurting Farmers and Mixed Message on Trump Tariffs

The Agribusiness Update
California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass says Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget plan will continue to hurt food producers with fees, taxes and increasing labor costs, and recent reports say President-elect's aides are considering narrowing his tariff plans, but Trump says that's wrong!

Ensuring Heat Safety for Outdoor Employees

Southeast Regional Ag News
In Florida, Representatives Anna Eskamani and Mike Gottlieb have introduced Florida House Bill 35 in an effort to safeguard outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses.

Finding Shelter for Animals in Fire Areas

California Ag Today
If you or someone you know has been affected by the Los Angeles Fires and needs a location to shelter small or large animals, here is the information you need.

Germany Sees First FMD Outbreak in Nearly 40 Years

Southeast Regional Ag News
First suspected to be Bluetongue disease, the World Organization for Animal Health recently confirmed foot-and-mouth disease in Germany.

China to Investigate the Impacts of Beef Imports

California Ag Today
The country is hoping to determine whether a surge in shipments from overseas has hurt their domestic animal agriculture industry.

Be On the Lookout for Swamp Eels!

Southeast Regional Ag News
The University of Florida, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, encourages the public to report sightings of the invasive Asian swamp eel, detected in Florida’s waterways over two decades ago.

Declining Almond Acreage, New ABC Leadership

California Ag Today
The Almond Board of California (ABC) reports a third consecutive year of declining total acreage, now at 1.52 million—down 40,000 acres from the previous year.

WA Political Outlook for Ag Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Political changes at the federal level are expected, but here in Washington, we’ll have a new Governor in Bob Ferguson, but Pam Lewison, Ag Director at the Washington Policy Center says, how different that will be remains to be seen.

Rabobank on Tariff Risks and Rural Mainstreet Index Drops in December

The Agribusiness Update
A Rabobank market researcher says the implementation of

U.S. tariffs in 2025 runs the risk of fragmenting global trade, and after reaching above growth neutral in November for the first time since 2023, at 50.2, the Rural Mainstreet Index sank to 39.6 in December.

Hurricane Milton Acreage Report and Rural Mainstreet Index Drops in December

The Agribusiness Update
A University of Florida report says Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane in October, hit more than 5.7 million acres of agricultural land, and after reaching above growth neutral in November for the first time since 2023, at 50.2, the Rural Mainstreet Index sank to 39.6 in December.

Bison meat

Idaho Ag Today
"Buying Local" has become important for many consumers, but there's a shortage of local butcher shop facilities and skilled employees.

Final Kick of the East Coast Port Strike Can?

Southeast Regional Ag News
A week before the previous agreement was set to expire, we saw this week a tentative agreement on a six-year contract between the international Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance.

Monument Designations Move 30x30 Needle

California Ag Today
Eleventh-hour national monument designations from the Biden Administration add more than half a million acres to California’s historic 30×30 initiative.

WA Political Outlook for Ag Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Political changes at the federal level are expected, but here in Washington, we’ll have a new Governor in Bob Ferguson, but Pam Lewison, Ag Director at the Washington Policy Center says, how different that will be remains to be seen.

$1.15 M to Aid CA Nutrient and Irrigation Management

California Ag Today
To the tune of $1.15 million dollars, this week the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertlizer Research and Education Program announced awards going out to five new projects that aim to improve nutrient and irrigation management practices.

Ag Secretary Nominee Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
With the new year underway and a new President soon to be sworn in, and his new cabinet, many in agriculture are wondering what to expect from Ag Secretary nominee, Brooke Rollins.

Forecasting U.S. Cotton Belt Weather

California Ag Today
From Brad Rippey, USDA Meteorologist, "We are expecting a mid-to-late winter period that should be warmer than average and also drier than average.”

Ag Secretary Nominee Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
With the new year underway and a new President soon to be sworn in, and his new cabinet, many in agriculture are wondering what to expect from Ag Secretary nominee, Brooke Rollins.

IWRB approves grants

Idaho Ag Today
Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) voted to approve 11 new groundwater-to- surface water irrigation conversion projects for $13.3 million.

Warmer, Drier Cotton Belt Winter

Southeast Regional Ag News
What’s in store for Cotton Belt weather? Brad Rippey, meteorologist with the United States Department of Agriculture, is the “man in the know” as far as how the weather could go. We get his forecast.