GOP Pushing Farm Assistance and Rural Mainstreet Index Down

The Agribusiness Update
GOP lawmakers are pushing to attach roughly $11 billion in direct farm assistance to a defense spending package, and rural bankers are growing more concerned about the farm economy as higher fuel and fertilizer costs weigh on producers.

Idaho passes Washington

Idaho Ag Today
Idaho passes Washington in farm receipts for first time.

Pork Inventories Rise as U.S. Exports Weaken

Line on Agriculture
USDA reports rising pork inventories and weaker exports, while pork consumption is expected to increase slightly.

Farmers File Solar Panel Lawsuit, Horticulture Careers Highlighted

Line on Agriculture
Farmers and renewable energy groups are suing the USDA over changes to the REAP program, arguing the new restrictions hinder solar project funding.

Seed Your Future is making efforts to promote the wide range of horticulture careers and connect students with local employers during Green Career Week, October 5–9.

FFA Next Gen Conference and Trump & Xi Reach Agreement

The Agribusiness Update
The National FFA recently hosted its third Next Gen Conference of the year, bringing 72 FFA members from 23 states to Kansas City for a closer look at careers in animal agriculture, and President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping agree to a two-month extension of their tariff truce and announced next steps for their Board of Trade.

Food Waste Prevention Week and US-China Tariff Reduction

The Agribusiness Update
Washington communities are taking action to keep food out of landfills and support a healthier, more resilient food system, and the U.S. and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries, including U.S. ag commodities.

GFB's I Farm - I Vote Campaign and US-China Tariff Reduction

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau's I Farm. I Vote. campaign is encouraging Georgians to become informed, engaged and active participants in the electoral process, and the U.S. and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries, including U.S. ag commodities.

AI in Ag Attitudes Differ and Crude Oil Prices Ease

The Agribusiness Update
Farmers in the U.S. and Argentina have sharply different views about the benefits of artificial intelligence in agriculture, and crude oil prices have shown signs of easing, but diesel prices are not following suit, putting more pressure on the farm economy.

Georgia Tightens Screwworm Safeguards Again

Southeast Regional Ag News
Georgia’s response serves as a reminder for Southeast livestock owners to check requirements before moving animals.

USDA Draws New Line on Dairy Checkoff Spending

California Ag Today
Agriculture Department says producer dollars should focus on strengthening markets.

California E15 Legislation and NASDA Annual Meeting

The Agribusiness Update
California has cleared the final regulatory hurdle for retailers to offer E15 gasoline, potentially opening a major new market for ethanol, and ag leaders from across the country gathered in Maine, for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

National Farm Safety & Health Week and NASDA Annual Meeting

The Agribusiness Update
The third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week, and ag leaders from across the country gathered in Maine, for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

California E15 Legislation and NASDA Annual Meeting

The Agribusiness Update
California has cleared the final regulatory hurdle for retailers to offer E15 gasoline, potentially opening a major new market for ethanol, and ag leaders from across the country gathered in Maine, for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

2027 Beef Forecast Lowered, ARC and PLC Sign Ups are Open

Line on Agriculture
USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board trimmed its 2027 beef production outlook by 150 million pounds on lower 2026 placements and lighter slaughter weights. The USDA Farm Service Agency is now accepting ARC/PLC enrollments through December 11.

NASDA's New President

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Washington State Department of Agriculture Director, Derek Sandison was just elected president of the National Association of State Directors of Agriculture for 2026-27.

Farm Credit System Stable and Senate Farm Bill Praised

The Agribusiness Update
The Farm Credit System remains financially sound, but rising credit risk is becoming a concern, and Ag groups praise the Senate Ag Committee’s farm bill for permanently transferring the Food for Peace program to USDA.

Sandison New NASDA President and Judge Pauses USDA Scramble

The Agribusiness Update
During the 2026 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Annual Meeting, members elected Washington State Ag Director Derek Sandison as NASDA’s new President, and a federal judge considers a temporary pause on USDA plans to relocate employees across the country.

GFB's I Farm-I Vote Campaign and Judge Pauses USDA Scramble

The Agribusiness Update
GFB’s I Farm. I Vote. campaign is encouraging Georgians to become informed, engaged and active participants in the electoral process, and a federal judge considers a temporary pause on USDA plans to relocate employees across the country.

NM Port of Entry Opening, EPA Spends Time with Farmers

Line on Agriculture
New Mexico may reopen the Santa Teresa port of entry to Mexican cattle as soon as September 24 while USDA continues its phased reopening of southern border livestock crossings.

Jim Macy, Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, discussed issues of concern to the agriculture industry, including diesel emission fluid, death, WOTUS, common-sense rulemaking, and following the rule of law.

Peanuts and Cotton Feel the Squeeze

Southeast Regional Ag News
Lower projected revenues and higher input costs put more pressure on Southeast crop margins.