WOTUS Update

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The American Farm Bureau joined other agriculture stakeholders in submitting comments after reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Waters of the United States” Rule.

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.

GFB's Ag In Classroom Program and Farm Bill Lacks Prop 12 Fix

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program has awarded $500 grants to 10 elementary school teachers, and the National Pork Producers Council welcomed progress on the farm bill, but said lawmakers must address California’s Proposition 12.

Winegrape Heat Challenges and Farm Bill Lacks Prop 12 Fix

The Agribusiness Update
Winegrape growers facing a hotter and more volatile climate may have several ways to protect the value of their vineyards, and the National Pork Producers Council welcomed progress on the farm bill, but said lawmakers must address California’s Proposition 12.

The Farm Bill Waiting Game

Southeast Regional Ag News
Disaster assistance, input costs and animal health are among the issues on the table for Southeast agriculture.

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 ...!

Mexican Livestock Trade Resumes and Trade Delegation to Australia

The Agribusiness Update
USDA began reopening Southwest ports for livestock trade last week, more than a year after suspending crossings to slow the spread of New World Screwworm, and USDA sent a delegation to Australia last week to strengthen export opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

California golden mussels

Idaho Ag Today
In October 2024, golden musselswere detected in the Port of Stockton near Sacramento.

Quaggas down in Snake River

Idaho Ag Today
Sampling Shows Another Decline in Snake River Quagga Mussel Population.

Commencement notices for water use.

Idaho Ag Today
IDWR mailing commencement notices to water users in the Kootenai River Basin; water rights claims must be filed for the adjudication.

Canadians Pull Out of Talks and Argentinian Beef Imports

The Agribusiness Update
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called steep new U.S. tariffs on $20 billion worth of his country’s goods “a miscalculation” after trade talks with Canada collapsed, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association criticized a social media post by President Trump regarding beef imports.

Senate committee rejects Prop 12 farm bill language, NPPC vows to keep fighting

Line on Agriculture
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The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is disappointed that Proposition 12, which sets housing standards for breeding sows and restricts pork sales in California, failed to advance from the Senate Agriculture Committee. The vote was 10-11 against it. NPPC is working to address this issue in the current Congress, hoping for a reconsideration when the Senate reconvenes in September

NFU on Farm Bill Failure and Beef Export Value

The Agribusiness Update
After the Senate Ag Committee failed to advance the farm bill, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said farmers cannot afford more delay, and although volume of U.S. beef exports was down slightly in June, the value was up to $790 million.

California Cling Peach Harvest and Senate Farm Bill Fails to Pass

The Agribusiness Update
Harvest is expected to conclude soon for California cling peaches, which are used for canning, and the Senate Ag Committee failed to advance its Farm Bill Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal.

South Carolina State Fair Hiring and Senate Farm Bill Fails to Pass

The Agribusiness Update
The South Carolina State Fair is now hiring for this year’s fair, taking place Oct. 15-25, and the Senate Ag Committee failed to advance its Farm Bill Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal.

Senate Funding Stuggles

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
In the last week the Senate is in session before summer break, it faces a key test in funding the government, even as other priorities like the ag agenda languish.

Drone Rules Change and USDA Reorganization Criticized

The Agribusiness Update
Advocacy groups urge FAA to reject a proposal that would allow large livestock operations and slaughterhouses to restrict drone flights over their facilities, and Senate Ag Democrats warn a proposed reorganization of USDA’s Rural Development area could limit access to critical programs.

North Carolina Ban on Foreign Farmland Purchases and American Farmland Pressures

The Agribusiness Update
North Carolina enacts new law barring certain foreign entities from purchasing agricultural land and property near military installations, and America’s farmland continues to face pressure from development and ownership changes.

Brazilan Beef Tariff Exemption Proposal Causes Concern

Line on Agriculture
The White House is considering an exemption for Brazilian beef imports to increase supply and lower beef prices for consumers. Sigrid Johannes, Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, expresses concerns about the proposal.