California Leads U.S. Farm Income, But Production Costs Remain Hefty

California Ag Today
New USDA estimates put California first in both gross and net farm income, while also carrying the nation's highest farm production expenses.

Billions in Farm Income, But Costs Keep Climbing Across the Southeast

Southeast Regional Ag News
New USDA estimates put North Carolina among the nation's top states for farm income as rising production expenses keep pressure on agriculture across the region.

MCOOL Labeling

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
USDA isn’t waiting for a farm bill that includes a beef labeling amendment to pass before studying a World Trade Organization-compliant way to implement mandatory country-of-origin labeling.

AI and beef

Idaho Ag Today
Take a look at the USDA grade labels on beef and other meat products at your retailer. Those grades come from Agriculture Department inspectors.

Small Family Farms Dominate and Farm Bill Extension Expires

The Agribusiness Update
In 2024, about 86% of all farms were SMALL family farms, with gross cash farm income below $350,000, and the latest extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired September 30, leaving Congress without a new long-term agriculture policy.

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.

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.

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.

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.