Made in USA Labeling Rule and Reviving Farm Bill

The Agribusiness Update
A new USDA labeling rule takes effect Jan. 1, tightening standards for when meat, poultry and egg products may be identified as a product of the United States, and Congressional Republicans plan to revive stalled farm bill negotiations in January.

Rollins Addresses Rising Costs and Cheese-Butter-Yogurt Demand High

The Agribusiness Update
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins warns U.S. farm production inputs are significantly more costly than four years ago, and consumer demand for products like cheese, butter and yogurt continues to drive dairy sales growth.

Apricot Shelf Life Expands and Corn Growers Question MAHA Report

The Agribusiness Update
California growers have made major inroads in elevating an apricot's shelf life, and National Corn Growers Association questions the Making America Healthy Again Committee, or MAHA report.

I Farm I Vote Campaign and Corn Growers Question MAHA Report

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau’s “I Farm. I Vote.” campaign encouraging members to get out and vote in the 2025 Public Service Commission elections, and National Corn Growers Association questions the Making America Healthy Again Committee, or MAHA report.

Sustainable Groundwater Act and Round 2 of Specialty Crop Assistance

The Agribusiness Update
California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act has reshaped groundwater use for many farmers and groundwater users, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a second round of payments for producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program.

USDA Employees Return to Work and Chinese Tariffs on Canada

The Agribusiness Update
Thousands of USDA employees terminated by the Trump Administration will return to their positions, for now, and after tariff retaliation on American goods, China is turning its attention to Canada.

California Lettuce Prices Surge and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
The cost to California’s lettuce growers complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has surged 63.7% the past seven years, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

California Lettuce Prices Surge and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
The cost to California’s lettuce growers complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has surged 63.7% the past seven years, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

Georgia Blueberries Top Peaches and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
When you consider Georgia fruits, peaches typically come to mind, but did you know blueberries comprise a larger portion of Georgia's fruit industry, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

Rabobank on Tariff Risks and Rural Mainstreet Index Drops in December

The Agribusiness Update
A Rabobank market researcher says the implementation of

U.S. tariffs in 2025 runs the risk of fragmenting global trade, and after reaching above growth neutral in November for the first time since 2023, at 50.2, the Rural Mainstreet Index sank to 39.6 in December.

Hurricane Milton Acreage Report and Rural Mainstreet Index Drops in December

The Agribusiness Update
A University of Florida report says Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane in October, hit more than 5.7 million acres of agricultural land, and after reaching above growth neutral in November for the first time since 2023, at 50.2, the Rural Mainstreet Index sank to 39.6 in December.

Dairy Checkoff Spending Reports and June Rural Mainstreet Index

The Agribusiness Update
Farm groups urge Ag Secretary Vilsack calling for immediate release of federally mandated annual dairy checkoff spending reports, and the June Rural Mainstreet Index went above the threshold for a third-straight month.

Dairy Checkoff Spending Reports and June Rural Mainstreet Index

The Agribusiness Update
Farm groups urge Ag Secretary Vilsack calling for immediate release of federally mandated annual dairy checkoff spending reports, and the June Rural Mainstreet Index went above the threshold for a third-straight month.

Tomato Suspension Agreement and June Rural Mainstreet Index

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Tomato Exchange urges Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement after nearly destroying the U.S. tomato industry, and the June Rural Mainstreet Index went above the threshold for a third-straight month

California's Cleaner Fleets Regulations and Thanksgiving Dinner Price Higher

The Agribusiness Update
California air regulators consider regulations to phase out big rigs and trucks with zero-emission electric vehicles, and your Thanksgiving dinner will cost more this year.

University of Florida Flower Bud Advisories and Thanksgiving Dinner Prices Up

The Agribusiness Update
University of Florida Flower Bud Advisories and Thanksgiving Dinner will cost you more this year.

Rural Mainstreet Index Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Rural Mainstreet Index drops for fifth-straight month, but survey finds two first-time worries for Ag Bankers.

Rural Mainstreet Index Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Rural Mainstreet Index drops for fifth-straight month, but survey finds two first-time worries for Ag Bankers.

Farm Loan Defaults Remain Low Despite Ag Bankers' Concerns

Farm of the Future
Economics professor Dr. Ernie Goss analyzes the numbers from the Rural Mainstreet Index.

Great Florida Cattle Drive and Gas Prices Down Again

The Agribusiness Update
The Great Florida Cattle Drive is coming up in December, and gas prices drop for the 10th straight week.