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.

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.

Three Extensions. One More Deadline.

California Ag Today
California specialty crop growers have plenty at stake as Congress takes another run at a five-year farm bill.

Who Wins With More Beef Imports?

California Ag Today
Farm Bureau analyzes the impact of the expanded tariff-rate quota.

EPA Grants RFS Exemptions, USDA Introduces New Rancher Intiative

Line on Agriculture
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted 1.76 billion gallons of exemptions from the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard. EPA plans to reallocate these volumes to 2026 and 2027 obligations, effectively neutralizing the impact.

Meanwhile, the USDA's Ranchers First Initiative introduces a new insurance option for ranchers to retain heifers for breeding, expands disaster assistance, supports small beef processors, and prioritizes American beef in federal procurement.

USDA Extends Supplemental Disaster Relief

Idaho Ag Today
USDA Extends Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Application Deadline, Announces New Flexibilities for 2023 and 2024 Quality Losses

Crop Insurance Extension

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is giving farmers more time to pay their crop insurance premiums.

The Future of Crop Insurance

Farm of the Future
While some agents are taking advantage of the latest in technology, that doesn’t diminish the vital role of the insurance agent.

Modernizing Crop Insurance

Farm of the Future
Agriculture has changed in a lot of ways, but crop insurance agencies still largely run the same way they have for decades.

Animal Disease Lab Move, Federal Crop Insurance Changes

Line on Agriculture
The final days of the animal disease laboratory at Plum Island, New York will end soon as the transition continues into the new National Bio and Agro Defense Facility in Kansa.

USDA makes changes to crop insurance.

California New World Screwworm Plan and Right to Repair Agreement

The Agribusiness Update
As the New World screwworm expands into the U.S. from Mexico, California’s pest exclusion leaders already have developed a response plan, and an agreement announced by John Deere and the FTC ensures farmers and ranchers will have access to the diagnostic and repair tools to help maintain and repair equipment.

USA Peanut Congress and Right to Repair Agreement

The Agribusiness Update
The National Peanut Board spent an energizing week with industry leaders in June at the 30th annual USA Peanut Congress, and an agreement announced by John Deere and the FTC ensures farmers and ranchers will have access to the diagnostic and repair tools to help maintain and repair equipment.

Expanded Hurricane Coverage Coming for 2027 Crop Year

Southeast Regional Ag News
A recent USDA insurance update broadens access to hurricane and tropical storm protection for farmers across much of the Southeast.

Hurricane Insurance Expansion and U.S. Meat Record Sales

The Agribusiness Update
USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced a significant expansion of the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index endorsement and the Tropical Storm Option, and U.S. retail meat sales climbed to a record $112 billion in 2025 as consumers continued prioritizing meat protein despite higher grocery prices.

2026 Hurricane Outlook: Encouraging, Not Carefree

Southeast Regional Ag News
The Florida Farm Bureau highlights a below-normal forecast and practical steps for producers.

Improve Grazing Areas and Beginning Farmer Institute

The Agribusiness Update
The American Farm Bureau is backing a new agreement between the USDA and Dept of the Interior aimed at improving grazing access on public lands, and NFU is accepting applications for its Beginning Farmer Institute, a FREE ten-week online program designed to strengthen farm and ranch businesses.

Gobal Haven Ventures

Idaho Ag Today
Need a building on your farm or ranch? Global Haven Ventures custom builds all kinds of structures to your specifications out of steel.

Disaster assistance

Idaho Ag Today
Agriculture Secretary Rollins where admitted there were very tough times going on for farmers and ranchers in this country.

Federal Crop Insurance Changes Good for Producers

Line on Agriculture
Producers can now add supplemental options, including a new margin coverage product, which could help manage risk. Subsidies for crop insurance have increased.

Farmer Bridge Assistance

Idaho Ag Today
Farmer Bridge Assistance Program: details on $11 billion in aid