USMCA Not Shocking

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
According to Senior Commodities Economist Mike Castle of StoneX, the market wasn’t really surprised by the White House’s decision to not renew the USMCA for several reasons.

USMCA Affordability and More New World Screwworm Discovered

The Agribusiness Update
Purdue Universities’ new ‘USMCA Affordability Study’ finds that tariff reductions under these trade agreements help lower food prices by roughly 7% of household food expenditures, and the USDA confirmed three additional cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm.

H-2A Reform

Fruit Grower Report
Ag-employers have been calling for changes to the H-2A foreign guestworker visa program for years, with few results.

Citrus Greening Heroes and USMCA Improvements Pushed

The Agribusiness Update
A few tiny heroes may help fight Florida’s long-running battle against citrus greening disease, and rising costs, and a bipartisan group of senators is urging continued support and improvements to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Feeding The Economy Report

Fruit Grower Report
Each year, the Feeding the Economy Report measures the downstream, off-the-farm economic impact of U.S. agriculture.

Montana State Bird Flu Research and Senate Farm Bill Soon

The Agribusiness Update
A team of Montana State University microbiologists will spend the next three years expanding research into bird flu, and Senate Ag Chair John Boozman plans to take up a five-year farm bill within weeks.

AHA Moment in Ag Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Are farmers ready for the future? Are they going to be able to keep up technologically with all of the changes in the way things are done.

AHA Moment in Ag Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Are farmers ready for the future? Are they going to be able to keep up technologically with all of the changes in the way things are done.

National Peanut Board Volunteers and Regenerative Ag Pilot Program

The Agribusiness Update
Peanut Associations from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia are seeking peanut producers interested in serving on the National Peanut Board, and Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance welcomed the USDA’s announcement of a $700 million Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program.

Farmers' Market Celebration and Kieffer New NAWG CEO

The Agribusiness Update
American Farmland Trust announced the winners of the 17th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration™, with three southeast markets in the top 10, and the National Association of Wheat Growers announced Sam Kieffer will be their next CEO.

Prop 12's National Impact and China and U.S. Soybeans

The Agribusiness Update
Every American pig farmer stands to lose when faced with a patchwork of ever-changing state housing laws spurred by California’s Prop 12, and spokesman from the Chinese commerce ministry was asked when China might resume buying American soybeans.

Lack Rain Hits Georgia Peanuts and China and U.S. Soybeans

The Agribusiness Update
At the beginning of August, Georgia’s peanut crop looked good, but then it stopped raining across most of South Georgia’s peanut belt, and spokesman from the Chinese commerce ministry was asked when China might resume buying American soybeans.

California Table Olive Crop Smaller and Senate Confirms Three USDA Nominees

The Agribusiness Update
California table olive growers are expected to harvest a smaller crop this year, and the Senate confirms three nominees for critical USDA positions.

International Paper Closing Plants and Senate Confirms Three USDA Nominees

The Agribusiness Update
International Paper will be closing its plants in Savannah and Riceboro by the end of the month, and the Senate confirms three nominees for critical USDA positions.

H2A Reform Needed

Fruit Grower Report
Enrique Gastelum, CEO at WAFLA, the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, says there are three big challenges that need addressed, and the first is the skyrocketing Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

Farm Bankruptcy Higher and USDA Combats Foodborne Illness

The Agribusiness Update
More U.S. farms filed for bankruptcy in the first three months of 2025 than during the entire 2024 calendar year, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to boost USDA’s efforts combatting foodborne illness.

CCA Exemption Update Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Governor signs update bill that secures agriculture's exempt status from the CCA fuel tax.

CCA Exemption Update Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Governor signs update bill that secures agriculture's exempt status from the CCA fuel tax.

Ransomware Attacks on Ag and Over 15,000 USDA Employees Leave

The Agribusiness Update
There were 84 ransomware attacks against the food and agriculture industry in the first three months of 2025, and over 15,000 USDA employees have taken one of the

Trump administration's two financial incentive offers to leave the agency.

WAEF Gets Witherbee Back Pt 2

Fruit Grower Report
If you haven’t heard the news yet, the Washington Apple Education Foundation has a familiar face back in the Executive Director’s chair.