Great American Cotton Plan and WOTUS Rule Finalization

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA announced a new Great American Cotton Plan, saying it aims to strengthen cotton farm income, expand trade and increase demand, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says they’re working to finalize a new Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, rule.

Improve Grazing Areas and Beginning Farmer Institute

The Agribusiness Update
The American Farm Bureau is backing a new agreement between the USDA and Dept of the Interior aimed at improving grazing access on public lands, and NFU is accepting applications for its Beginning Farmer Institute, a FREE ten-week online program designed to strengthen farm and ranch businesses.

California Tax Credit for Ag Overtime and Farm Bankruptcy Climbs

The Agribusiness Update
A bipartisan bill introduced last month by California state legislators would create a tax credit to offset the cost to farmers of paying overtime, and a new American Farm Bureau Market Intel Report says Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row.

National Peanut Board Tri-Annual Meeting and Farm Bankruptcy Climbs

The Agribusiness Update
The National Peanut Board will hold its tri-annual board and committee meetings March 2–4, in Atlanta, and a new American Farm Bureau Market Intel Report says Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row.

American Peanut Council Reorganization and Ag Economy Slide to Stop

The Agribusiness Update
The American Peanut Council announced a reorganization under the leadership of President and CEO Luke Blaustein, and Ag economists are predicting the slide in the U.S. farm economy will stop in the new year.

Research That Multiplies Cotton’s Impact

Southeast Regional Ag News
The Cotton Foundation is now accepting research proposals for the 2027 growing season to drive innovation, profitability, and long term impact across the U.S. cotton industry.

U.S. Announces Regional Trade Steps Affecting Agriculture

Southeast Regional Ag News
The frameworks drew praise from the National Cotton Council, which highlighted potential gains for U.S. cotton in Guatemala and El Salvador.

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.

Big Wins and Key Deadlines in Southeast Ag

Southeast Regional Ag News
From tax savings to farmland preservation, here’s what producers need to know now.

California Wolf Attacks Rise and Canadian Agribusiness and Trade

The Agribusiness Update
With California wolf populations growing and livestock attacks on the rise, the state will consider allowing more aggressive forms of nonlethal hazing to deter the predators, and some 88% of Canadian agri-businesses say Canada should strengthen trade ties with other countries besides China and the U.S. due to rising trade tensions.

South Carolina Soybean Plant to Close and Canadian Agribusiness and Trade

The Agribusiness Update
Archer Daniels Midland will permanently close its soybean processing plant in Kershaw, South Carolina, and some 88% of Canadian agri-businesses say Canada should strengthen trade ties with other countries besides China and the U.S. due to rising trade tensions.

California Drops Diesel Truck Ban and USDA Trade Mission in Thailand

The Agribusiness Update
California has dropped its landmark rule that would phase out nearly all diesel trucks in the coming years, and the USDA is on a four-day trade mission to Thailand to expand ag exports and strengthen trade ties in Southeast Asia.

California Drops Diesel Truck Ban and USDA Trade Mission in Thailand

The Agribusiness Update
California has dropped its landmark rule that would phase out nearly all diesel trucks in the coming years, and the USDA is on a four-day trade mission to Thailand to expand ag exports and strengthen trade ties in Southeast Asia.

Georgia Farm Bureau Supports Rollins and USDA Trade Mission in Thailand

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau is one of over 400 organizations to sign a letter to the Senate Ag Committee in support of Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins, and the USDA is on a four-day trade mission to Thailand to expand ag exports and strengthen trade ties in Southeast Asia.

Arizona Sues Fondomonte Over Water Use and Wheat Exports Forecast Jumps

The Agribusiness Update
With agricultural overuse and drought draining aquifers in Arizona, the state is suing Saudi Arabia-based Fondomonte, and the USDA’s monthly wheat outlook shows a jump in export forecasts thanks to weaker exports from Russia and the EU.

Ag Trade Deficit Growing and Meat and Poultry Product Labeling

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA forecasted the agricultural trade deficit to increase sharply to a record $42.5 billion in the coming fiscal year, and updated guidelines have been announced that recommend strengthening documentation supporting animal-raising or environment-related claims on meat or poultry product labels.

Ag Trade Deficit Growing and Meat and Poultry Product Labeling

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA forecasted the agricultural trade deficit to increase sharply to a record $42.5 billion in the coming fiscal year, and updated guidelines have been announced that recommend strengthening documentation supporting animal-raising or environment-related claims on meat or poultry product labels.

Lenders Urge Stronger Sugar Policy and Wheat Production Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Farm lenders and financial experts sent a letter to Ag leaders urging Congress to strengthen U.S. sugar policy in the Farm Bill and oppose efforts to weaken the farm safety net, and U.S. wheat production for 2024-25 is forecast at 2.008 billion bushels, the largest crop since 2016-17.

Commercial Gardening Recovery and Beef Samples Test Negative for Bird Flu

The Agribusiness Update
Producers and seed companies report steady supply and demand after recovering from a pandemic gardening boom that depleted seed inventories, and USDA says all ground beef samples tested negative for the H5N1 bird flu virus.