37th Georgia National Fair and Sterile Fly Plant Stench

The Agribusiness Update
The 37th Annual Georgia National Fair kicked off Oct. 8 with the opening ceremony in Reaves Arena, and and residents in Metapa de Dominguez, Mexico, are demanding the closure of a sterile-fly production plant, complaining that a strong, rotten-meat odor is disrupting daily life.

FSA Grants for Washington and Sterile Fly Plant Stench

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency is delivering approximately $255 million in farm safety net and conservation program payments to Washington farmers, ranchers and landowners, and residents in Metapa de Dominguez, Mexico, are demanding the closure of a sterile-fly production plant, complaining that a strong, rotten-meat odor is disrupting daily life.

Florida Hurricane Aid Available and Corn Forecast Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced that

Florida farmers and ranchers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can apply for interest-free loans, and USDA raised its corn production forecast, projecting larger supplies than anticipated in October’s WASDE Report.

Idaho French Fry Record and Corn Forecast Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Idaho has reclaimed the Guinness World Record for the world's largest serving of French fries, during Boise Potato Days, and USDA raised its corn production forecast, projecting larger supplies than anticipated in October’s WASDE Report.

Rail Merger Draws Farm Opposition

California Ag Today
National Farmers Union pushes back on proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination.

Rail Merger Raises Questions for Agriculture

Southeast Regional Ag News
Farm group cites consolidation concerns while Union Pacific points to reliability and market access.

School Lunch Never Sounded This Good

Southeast Regional Ag News
Florida Future Chef crowns a winner with a menu highlighting locally grown foods.

Wheat Futures Volatile and AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act Up for Vote

The Agribusiness Update
Wheat futures remain volatile as traders weigh continued disruptions to Black Sea grain exports, and a bill requiring AM radio in new vehicles is headed for a House vote.

Wheat Market & Black Sea and USDA Staffing Shortages

The Agribusiness Update
Warfare between Russia and Ukraine is elevating uncertainty in global wheat markets as attacks threaten agricultural infrastructure around the Black Sea, and Farmers are reporting difficulty obtaining federal conservation assistance after substantial staffing reductions at USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

H-2A Reforms on Hold and Ag Trade Deficit Down

The Agribusiness Update
A court ruling casts uncertainty over recent reforms to the H-2A ag guestworker program, leaving current wage rates in place for now, and U.S. ag exports are expected to strengthen as USDA raised its trade forecast and projected a smaller ag trade deficit for 2026.

Sterile Fly Facility and Negotiating Canadian Tariffs

The Agribusiness Update
USDA says a Texas facility designed to produce sterile flies for New World Screwworm control will open next spring, earlier than expected, and Canadian trade officials are meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as both countries work to avoid new tariffs scheduled to take effect tonight.

Support Farmers Markets and Net Income Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is encouraging Americans to continue supporting local producers following National Farmers Market Week, and the Farm Credit System reports net income of $2.2 billion for the second quarter, up from $1.9 billion during the same period last year.

H-2A Efficiency

Fruit Grower Report
U.S. Representative, Dan Newhouse says current legislation

being considered, the ‘Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act’ could do so much to help improve the H-2A system.

USDA Seeks $11.1B Aid; USTR Recommends Lamb-Import Safeguard Probe

Line on Agriculture
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins has urged Congress to approve $11.1 billion in additional funding for farmers to provide temporary support while U.S. farm policy is reshaped. Meanwhile, the American Sheep Industry (ASI) welcomes a recommendation from the U.S. Trade Representative for a formal safeguard investigation into lamb imports, which could affect over 100,000 sheep farms and ranches

Pushback Over Brazil Beef Tariff Exemption; EPA Faces Pesticide Label Petition

Line on Agriculture
The U.S. Trade Representative is investigating Brazilian policies that may restrict U.S. commerce, with a focus on Brazil's agricultural practices linked to deforestation. Additionally, the Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the EPA to add cancer warning labels to pesticides with potential links to cancer.

Growth Energy Celebrates Women in Ag, John Deere Settle Right to Repair

Line on Agriculture
John Deere has agreed to a right to repair settlement with the FTC and five states, mandating that they provide independent repair shops with the same access to repair tools and software as their dealers. This is in response to an anti-competitive conduct lawsuit filed in early 2025. Meanwhile, Growth Energy's CEO, Emily Skor is excited about an upcoming Women in Ethanol luncheon to celebrate the role women are playing in the industry.

More affordable fertilizer

Idaho Ag Today
President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation temporarily suspending countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain phosphate fertilizer imports.

SPUR Program

Idaho Ag Today
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program.

Wolf Attack Relief and Building Corn Demand

The Agribusiness Update
The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife awarded California Farm Bureau $1.1 million for payments to ranchers who’ve lost livestock due to wolf attacks, and the NCGA released a new strategy outlining how the U.S. corn industry can build demand for new domestic and international markets.

East Coast Broccoli Industry and Building Corn Demand

The Agribusiness Update
The burgeoning East Coast broccoli industry is helping slightly lower costs and reduce reliance on drought-prone Western states like California, and the NCGA released a new strategy outlining how the U.S. corn industry can build demand for new domestic and international markets.