Election Year Politics

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Decades of House Ag bipartisanship was already declining, but election-year politics seems to have done it in last week.

USDA Funds Peach Tree Removal and Brazil Beef Imports Scrutinized

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA will make up to $9 million available to fund the removal of cling peach orchards for growers after Del Monte plant closure in Modesto, and growing scrutiny of the meatpacking industry and rising Brazilian beef imports are fueling a new debate.

Farm Bridge Assistance Update and U.S. Ag Supplies Down Under

The Agribusiness Update
The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is delivering billions in aid to row crop producers as farmers grapple with a worsening ag economy, and the United States continues to be the third-largest supplier of agricultural products to Australia.

Working Families Tax Cut and Sugar Producers Concern Over Imports

The Agribusiness Update
American cattle producers gathered in Washington, D.C., on Tax Day for a press conference highlighting the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts, and U.S. sugar producers raising alarms over a surge of subsidized foreign sugar imports they say threaten domestic industry.

Rented Farmland Stats and Tractor Sales Down

The Agribusiness Update
Over 2 million landowners rented out 348 million acres of farmland, according to the 2024 TOTAL survey from the National Ag Statistics Service, and the sales of all tractors during February in the U.S. were down 12% from the same month last year.

California Pears Vs Argentina and Ag Land Market Shifting

The Agribusiness Update
California pear growers need relief from Argentine imports they say have displaced their fruit in U.S. markets, and U.S. agricultural land market is shifting after years of steady growth.

Top Young Farmers from Alabama and Ag Land Market Shifting

The Agribusiness Update
For the second time in four years, Alabama is home to the nation’s top young farm family, and U.S. agricultural land market is shifting after years of steady growth.

Governors Summit in Idaho and USDA Push for More Ag Research

The Agribusiness Update
During the Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Viability in Idaho, American Farmland Trust announced a new initiative called “Thriving Farms and Ranches,” and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a number of coordinated actions that emphasize American agricultural research and innovation.

Georgia Cottom Commission Donates Socks and USDA Push for More Ag Research

The Agribusiness Update
The Georgia Cotton Commission recently donated 12,000 pairs of socks to various homeless shelters across the state, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a number of coordinated actions that emphasize American agricultural research and innovation.

California Canola Thieves and Regenerative Ag Pilot Program

The Agribusiness Update
California resident, Shawn Sawa was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in stealing millions of dollars’ worth of canola intended for livestock feed, and Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance welcomed the USDA’s announcement of a $700 million Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program.

Animal Advocates

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
A new report from the Animal Agriculture Alliance shows so-called animal activist groups raise quite a bit of money for their anti-meat activities each year.

Mass Deportation Results and SNAP-WIC Benefits Ending November 1

The Agribusiness Update
Daniel Hartwig, president of the California Fresh Fruit

Association, says while immigration enforcement was a concern, he's not aware of any crops perishing due to a lack of labor, and millions face losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on November 1.

Florida Legislators of the Year and SNAP-WIC Benefits Ending November 1

The Agribusiness Update
Senator Nick DiCeglie (dih-SEG-lee) and Rep. J.J. Grow have been named the 2025 Florida Farm Bureau Legislators of the Year, and millions face losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on November 1.

Georgia Praises H-2A Reform and Financial Assistance for Ag on Hold

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper is praising the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to the H-2A Visa Program that will save Georgia farmers millions in labor costs, and the administration won’t move forward on financial assistance for producers until the government shutdown ends.

USDA Specialty Crop Funds and Ethanol Production Drops

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help recipients address their trade barriers and expand international market access for U.S. specialty crops, and new data from the Energy Information Administration says American ethanol output dropped to a four-month low.

Trump Signs Japan Trade Deal and USDA's Public Comment Period Extended

The Agribusiness Update
President Trump signed an order to implement a trade agreement with Japan that's expected to increase U.S. ag sales by $8 billion a year, and the USDA extended the public comment period for its reorganization plan to September 30.

Farm Groups Tariff Warning and California Almond's Rat Infestation

The Agribusiness Update
Farm groups are warning the White House that the tariff war is making already high fertilizer prices worse, and California’s Central Valley produces a large number of almonds, and that area is being invaded by rats.

Australia Accepts U.S. Beef and Ag Trade Deficit Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
For the first time in more than two decades, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef, and the U.S. agricultural trade deficit hit a record high in 2025.

California Organic Conversion and USDA Terminates some DEI Awards

The Agribusiness Update
As organic acreage trends lower, California’s goals to combat climate change requires converting 20% of its cropland to organic by 2045, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA will terminate more than 145 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focused awards.

Georgia Peaches to Mexico and USDA Terminates some DEI Awards

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Ag Commissioner announces that Georgia Grown peaches have been exported to Mexico for the first time in 27 years, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA will terminate more than 145 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focused awards.