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.

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.

Farm Bill Doubts

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The future of a long-delayed farm bill may depend on what voters decide in November.

What Super El Niño Means

Fruit Grower Report
You’ve undoubtedly heard the reports or warning that we’ve now shifted into a Super El Niño situation after four years of declared drought, but will it be as bad as some suggest?

Measuring groundwater

Idaho Ag Today
Groundwater levels to be measured in an additional 400 wells across Treasure Valley and Payette Valley.

Xi and Trump Talk Trade and Diesel Prices Skyrocket

The Agribusiness Update
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Trump in Washington last week and agreed to extend their trade truce through Jan. 10, and record-high diesel prices are pressuring farmers while the Trump administration considers whether restricting diesel exports could provide relief.

Cosmic Crisp Popularity

Fruit Grower Report
For now, it’s only grown in Washington state, but the Cosmic Crisp apple is becoming a favorite for consumers everywhere.

Cover Crops Survey Results, Cattle on Feed 1% Above a Year Ago

Line on Agriculture
The University of Missouri’s biannual survey and factors influencing farmers’ cover-cropping choices explained.

Cattle and calves on feed were 1% above the previous year.

UC Farm Advisor's Cannot Make Direct Recommendations of Products

California Tree Nut Report

Heads up drivers

Idaho Ag Today
There’s a #BrakeForHarvest public service announcement campaign for the current harvest season, warning drivers to use extra caution while driving.

New fertilizer plant

Idaho Ag Today
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins: "Together we take the latest and perhaps the greatest at least step so far moving backward American fertilizer independence."

Trump EOs Back Ranchers, COOL Needs Congress; 300K MT Beef Imports Will Come Revealed

Line on Agriculture
Executive orders aim to support ranchers but stop short of reinstating mandatory COOL. The National Farmers Union is urging Congress to act, noting a Senate Farm Bill amendment would restore COOL.

In a follow-up, the administration authorized 300,000 metric tons of lower-tariff beef imports over 90 days to ease prices. Now we know where the beef will come from.

California E15 Vote and Tyson Profits Down

The Agribusiness Update
California is moving closer to making E15 gas available after lawmakers unanimously approved legislation removing the final barriers to selling the higher-ethanol blend, and Tyson Foods lowered its fiscal 2026 profit and sales forecasts.

Getting Started With AI

Farm of the Future
You’ve heard a lot about artificial intelligence and you’re even ready to start using it. But where do you start?

August Apple Estimates

Fruit Grower Report
If you’ve been wondering why it’s September, harvest has started and you haven’t heard any kind of estimate or forecast for the 2026 Washington apple crop, that’s because, according to Michael Schadler, president of the Washington Apple Commission, the industry has decided to wait.

Generative AI in Ag Lending

Farm of the Future
Artificial intelligence continues to make inroads in agriculture, both on the farm and off the farm.

US Phosphate Plant Coming Online, AFBF Against Beef Import Plan

Line on Agriculture
The U.S. livestock industry is concerned following President Trump's decision to remove import tariffs on beef, which could lower grocery prices but negatively impact domestic cattle producers. The AFBF, along with other associations, is communicating with the White House and Congress to oppose this move. Meanwhile, a new phosphate fertilizer plant in Wagaman, Louisiana, is set to reduce U.S. dependency on imported phosphate by up to 60%, producing 1.3 million metric tons annually. This developm

Mexican Livestock Trade Resumes and Trade Delegation to Australia

The Agribusiness Update
USDA began reopening Southwest ports for livestock trade last week, more than a year after suspending crossings to slow the spread of New World Screwworm, and USDA sent a delegation to Australia last week to strengthen export opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

California Farmers Urge USMCA Renewal and Canadian Tariff Exemptions

The Agribusiness Update
California farmers, agribusiness leaders and state officials are urging the U.S., Mexico and Canada to extend and strengthen the USMCA, and the Agricultural Coalition for the USMCA is urging the Trump administration to exempt all products from new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods.