WASDE Report is Out and USDA Data Questioned

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report shows the 2025-26 U.S. corn outlook is for greater exports and lower ending stocks, and the USDA is facing doubts about the reliability of its data from farmers, grain traders, and economists.

Flies Transform Food Waste and Reduced USDA Labor Force

The Agribusiness Update
Scientists at the UC-Riverside develop small-scale system that transforms food waste into high-protein animal feed and fertilizer, and USDA receives criticism for the way it handled reductions in its workforce.

Black Soldier Flies Transform Food Waste and USDA Labor Force Down

The Agribusiness Update
Scientists at the UC-Riverside develop small-scale system that transforms food waste into high-protein animal feed and fertilizer, and USDA receives criticism for the way it handled reductions in its workforce.

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.

National Peanut Board Volunteers and Regenerative Ag Pilot Program

The Agribusiness Update
Peanut Associations from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia are seeking peanut producers interested in serving on the National Peanut Board, and Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance welcomed the USDA’s announcement of a $700 million Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program.

IDWR water rights

Idaho Ag Today
IDWR agents work to bring all 743 water users into compliance with July Methodology Order.

FSA Staffing Concerns

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The potential closing of Farm Service Agency offices is a big concern for farmers because of the essential services they provide.

IDWR water rights

Idaho Ag Today
IDWR agents work to bring all 743 water users into compliance with July Methodology Order; existing curtailment, mitigation activities.

California Walnut Harvest and Farm Bankruptcies Soaring

The Agribusiness Update
As California’s walnut harvest begins, market conditions remain strong following improvement last year, and Farm bankruptcies as of July have exceeded those for all of 2024.

Georgia Governor in South America and Farm Bankruptcies Soaring

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper and others spent the last week of August in Brazil and Argentina meeting with business and ag leaders, and Farm bankruptcies as of July have exceeded those for all of 2024.

IDWR and the Binghams

Idaho Ag Today
Ruling in water rights case reinforces new mitigation plans, protects farmers.

EPA tours Idaho

Idaho Ag Today
For the third year staffers from the Environmental Protection Agency toured farms in Southwest Idaho to interact face to face with ag producers.

Schiff, Curtis Urge USDA to Boost Firefighting Capacity

California Ag Today
According to a release from Senator Adam Schiff’s office, the bipartisan call presses USDA to speed Red Card certifications for wildland firefighters as extreme heat and wildfire risks grow.

U.S. Forest Service Cuts and Australia to Accept U.S. Beef

The Agribusiness Update
California state officials express concerns about staff and funding cuts at the U.S. Forest Service, a division of the USDA, and for the first time in more than two decades, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef.

USDA Reorganizing Consultation

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
A senior GOP senator has slammed USDA for not consulting with lawmakers in advance on its reorganization plans.

USDA Staff Moves

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden argued recently for closing USDA buildings and moving staff out of the nation’s capital region.

New Location for Many USDA Staff

Line on Agriculture
USDA is relocating a majority of its staff to five regional hubs across the US and reducing the number of buildings it uses in Washington DC.

Farmers Under Stress and WAEF Elects New Board Chair

The Agribusiness Update
An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar titled “Communicating with Farmers Under Stress” to learn the signs of stress and how to help, and the Washington Apple Education Foundation elects Tyler Price, CEO of Price Cold Storage & Packing, as its new board chairman.

California's Overtime Law Not Working and USDA Warns of Job Cuts

The Agribusiness Update
UC-Berkeley, assistant professor Alexandra Hill's research shows California’s 2016 agricultural overtime law has not achieved its goal of increasing earnings for farmworkers, and USDA warns that major staff cuts are coming, offices closed, and people will be forced to relocate.

Alabama Farmers Federation Nominations and USDA Warns of Job Cuts

The Agribusiness Update
Alabama farmers are encouraged to nominate research and

Extension personnel for two awards from the Alabama Farmers Federation by the deadline of June 6, and USDA warns that major staff cuts are coming, offices closed, and people will be forced to relocate.