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.

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.

Apple Outlook for 2026

Fruit Grower Report
Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says most of what he's hearing from growers, as apple harvest gets underway, is promising.

Adoption of High-Tech Sprayers and Farmland Values Climb

The Agribusiness Update
An increasing number of California specialty crop farmers are minimizing labor and chemical costs through the adoption of high-tech herbicide sprayers, and the average value of U.S. cropland has climbed above $6,000 an acre for the first time.

Discover Dairy Adopt a Cow and Farmland Values Climb

The Agribusiness Update
The Dairy Alliance is proud to again support the Discover Dairy Adopt a Cow program for the 2026–27 school year, and the average value of U.S. cropland has climbed above $6,000 an acre for the first time.

Higher Food Prices Continue and Regenerative Ag Climbs

The Agribusiness Update
Higher food prices continue to change the way Americans shop, according to a new report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange, and regenerative agriculture continues to gain momentum across the country.

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.

USDA Report Brings Welcome News for Florida Citrus

Southeast Regional Ag News
Final production estimates show modest gains while growers continue battling citrus greening.

Field Sampling Technology Allows for Real Time Decisions

Line on Agriculture
Patrick Sanders, Director of Agronomy Enablement at Nutrien, discusses new sensing technology that allows for efficient field sampling and rapid identification of agronomic gaps.

Northwest Cherry Harvest and Senate Farm Bill Proposal

The Agribusiness Update
The Northwest cherry season has entered its peak shipping window, with volumes now at their highest levels of the year, and a new Senate farm bill proposal could face an uphill battle after reports indicated it does NOT include a delay in planned changes to SNAP funding.

Summer Break-Hungry Kids and Senate Farm Bill Proposal

The Agribusiness Update
Summer break can leave some Florida children without access to regular, healthy meals, and a new Senate farm bill proposal could face an uphill battle after reports indicated it does NOT include a delay in planned changes to SNAP funding.

Trusted Advisors Connecting Farmers to Conservation Programs

Farm of the Future
Some farmers might be leaving money on the table by not enrolling in a conservation or carbon sequestration program.

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.

FFA Washington Leadership Conference and China Buys More Soybeans

The Agribusiness Update
More than 1,800 FFA members and 250 chaperons will travel to Washington, D.C. this summer for the 2026 Washington Leadership Conference, and China’s renewed demand for U.S. soybeans is providing optimism for American farmers.

Legislation Targets Major Meatpackers and National Cheese Day

The Agribusiness Update
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation aimed at lowering grocery prices by increasing competition within the meatpacking industry, and the dairy checkoff is using today, National Cheese Day to promote cheese as a high-protein snack option.

Could Tea Be California’s Next Specialty Crop?

California Ag Today
UC researchers are exploring whether tea can provide a high-value opportunity for growers adapting to changing agricultural realities.

Tariff Relief for Farmers and China Suspends Brazilian Beef

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA continues to evaluate possible tariff relief options for farmers impacted by trade disputes and rising production costs, and China has suspended beef imports from three Brazilian meatpacking plants after detecting synthetic veterinary hormones in cattle.

Drone firefighter

Idaho Ag Today
U of I tests drone for reseeding research ranch following wildfire.

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.

Expanding Milk Options and Federal Grazing Policy Dispute

The Agribusiness Update
The National Milk Producers Federation praised a new USDA interim final rule expanding milk options in federal child nutrition programs, and dispute is growing over federal grazing policy in western states as environmental groups prepare legal challenges.