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.

Cheese Names Debate and USDA Aid to American Beef Herd

The Agribusiness Update
A dispute over cheese names has become a sticking point in U.S.-Mexico trade negotiations, and USDA is rolling out a broad package of programs aimed at rebuilding America’s beef herd and strengthening the nation’s cattle industry.

West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force and Dems Push for Farm Bill Changes

The Agribusiness Update
The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force will host its annual Smoke Summit on Monday, June 8, and Senate Democrats are pushing for changes to the newly passed House farm bill.

Below Normal Hurricane Season and Dems Push for Farm Bill Changes

The Agribusiness Update
Florida residents should prepare for a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and Senate Democrats are pushing for changes to the newly passed House farm bill.

Vintage Tractors Roll Into Georgia Ag Week Celebration

Southeast Regional Ag News
A Capitol display highlights agriculture’s deep roots and ongoing impact across the region.

Superbowl Food Safety and Trump's Call for Year-Round E15

The Agribusiness Update
Super Bowl parties often feature takeout, delivery, and foods served over several hours, and theRenewable Fuels Association applauded President Trump for strongly reaffirming his support for America’s ethanol industry.

Made in USA Labeling Rule and Reviving Farm Bill

The Agribusiness Update
A new USDA labeling rule takes effect Jan. 1, tightening standards for when meat, poultry and egg products may be identified as a product of the United States, and Congressional Republicans plan to revive stalled farm bill negotiations in January.

Rollins Addresses Rising Costs and Cheese-Butter-Yogurt Demand High

The Agribusiness Update
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins warns U.S. farm production inputs are significantly more costly than four years ago, and consumer demand for products like cheese, butter and yogurt continues to drive dairy sales growth.

Apricot Shelf Life Expands and Corn Growers Question MAHA Report

The Agribusiness Update
California growers have made major inroads in elevating an apricot's shelf life, and National Corn Growers Association questions the Making America Healthy Again Committee, or MAHA report.

I Farm I Vote Campaign and Corn Growers Question MAHA Report

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau’s “I Farm. I Vote.” campaign encouraging members to get out and vote in the 2025 Public Service Commission elections, and National Corn Growers Association questions the Making America Healthy Again Committee, or MAHA report.

Sustainable Groundwater Act and Round 2 of Specialty Crop Assistance

The Agribusiness Update
California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act has reshaped groundwater use for many farmers and groundwater users, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a second round of payments for producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program.

USDA Employees Return to Work and Chinese Tariffs on Canada

The Agribusiness Update
Thousands of USDA employees terminated by the Trump Administration will return to their positions, for now, and after tariff retaliation on American goods, China is turning its attention to Canada.

California Lettuce Prices Surge and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
The cost to California’s lettuce growers complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has surged 63.7% the past seven years, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

California Lettuce Prices Surge and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
The cost to California’s lettuce growers complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has surged 63.7% the past seven years, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

Georgia Blueberries Top Peaches and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
When you consider Georgia fruits, peaches typically come to mind, but did you know blueberries comprise a larger portion of Georgia's fruit industry, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

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.

Dairy Checkoff Spending Reports and June Rural Mainstreet Index

The Agribusiness Update
Farm groups urge Ag Secretary Vilsack calling for immediate release of federally mandated annual dairy checkoff spending reports, and the June Rural Mainstreet Index went above the threshold for a third-straight month.

Dairy Checkoff Spending Reports and June Rural Mainstreet Index

The Agribusiness Update
Farm groups urge Ag Secretary Vilsack calling for immediate release of federally mandated annual dairy checkoff spending reports, and the June Rural Mainstreet Index went above the threshold for a third-straight month.

Tomato Suspension Agreement and June Rural Mainstreet Index

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Tomato Exchange urges Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement after nearly destroying the U.S. tomato industry, and the June Rural Mainstreet Index went above the threshold for a third-straight month