California Farm Bureau to D.C. and Farmer Sentiment Down

The Agribusiness Update
California Farm Bureau delegation including members, staff and executives traveled to Washington, D.C. last month to advocate issues affecting farmers and ranchers, and farmer sentiment weakened in September as higher input costs continued to weigh on producers’ financial outlook.

Georgia National Fair and Farmer Sentiment Down

The Agribusiness Update
October is harvest season and worthy of celebration, so the Georgia Farm Bureau recommends a visit to the Georgia National Fair now thru Oct. 18, and farmer sentiment weakened in September as higher input costs continued to weigh on producers’ financial outlook.

Winegrapes Reduce Labor and USMCA Meeting

The Agribusiness Update
California farmworkers suffered a wave of job losses the past few years as work in the state’s winegrape vineyards dried up amid a market slump, and U.S., Mexican, and Canadian officials are meeting this week as part of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

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.

Raspberry Numbers Due

Fruit Grower Report
With the due date for Washington Red Raspberry harvest numbers coming up, that means we’ll soon have a better idea of what this year’s crop really looked like.

OSU Grape - Wine Smoke Analysis and USDA Technology Project

The Agribusiness Update
The Smoke, Wine, and Grapes Analytical Chemistry Lab at Oregon State University is open for business, and USDA is launching a pilot project that relies more heavily on technology to improve its U.S. crop acreage and yield estimates.

Fresh potatoes

Idaho Ag Today
Registration is now open for University of Idaho Extension’s inaugural Fresh Pack Potato Symposium.

More Details from USDA on Data Modernization, Farmer Sentiment Up

Line on Agriculture
The USDA has launched a data modernization plan to enhance digital experiences with farmers.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose to 135 in August, driven by optimism about the future, with a 13-point increase in future expectations.

American Farm Bureau on USMCA

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The U.S. and Canada announced dueling tariffs on imports going back and forth between the neighboring countries after U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiations broke off.

Joint Ag Issues Summit and Cyclospora Investigation

The Agribusiness Update
The annual Joint Ag Issues Summit will be held Aug. 20, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, and the International Fresh Produce Association is asking federal health officials to expand how they investigate Cyclospora outbreaks.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and Cyclospora Investigation

The Agribusiness Update
California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act could ultimately remove 500,000 to 1 million acres from production as farmers adapt to limited groundwater supplies, and the International Fresh Produce Association is asking federal health officials to expand how they investigate Cyclospora outbreaks.

AI Adoption in Agriculture

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
American agriculture is using more artificial intelligence than ever before, but adoption appears to be uneven.

Ultra-Filtered Milk and Ethanol Exports Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Land O’Lakes is investing in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to enable production of ultra-filtered milk, and U.S. ethanol exports rebounded in May, up 11% from April to 189.7 million gallons as demand grew in key international markets.

Georgia Grown Watermelon Month and Ethanol Exports Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Ag Commissioner Harper signs proclamation declaring July 2026 as “Georgia Grown Watermelon Month,” and U.S. ethanol exports rebounded in May, up 11% from April to 189.7 million gallons as demand grew in key international markets.

Walnuts Did Better Than All Tree Nuts in Retail Sales Last Year

California Tree Nut Report

Farm Outlook Dims; Trade Tensions Over Brazilian Beef and ScrewWorm Response Grow

Line on Agriculture
The Ag Economy Barometer dropped to 113 in June, with current conditions at 102 and future expectations at 106. Cattle groups oppose the US Trade Representative's potential exemption of Brazilian beef from Section 301 tariffs. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is advocating for ivermectin in livestock feed to combat the New World screwworm spreading in Texas.

AFBF Pushes for USMCA

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
One of America’s most important trade agreements is up for renewal this year, and the ag community is watching very closely.

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.

ESA Reform

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The Endangered Species Act is currently under review in the House Natural Resources Committee, with new legislation aimed at updating a law that has seen few significant changes since its passage in 1973.

Why Purdue Survey Shows Farmer Sentiment Improved

Line on Agriculture
The March Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer showed improved farmer sentiment despite ongoing challenges such as tight margins, rising input costs, and higher financial risks. This improvement was partly due to bridge payments.