Record High U.S. Farm Debt and FFA National Convention

The Agribusiness Update
U.S. farm debt has climbed to a record level, and ag economists warn the actual amount owed could be considerably higher, and more than 70,000 FFA members, advisors, and supporters are expected in Indianapolis next week for the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo.

Small Family Farms Dominate and Farm Bill Extension Expires

The Agribusiness Update
In 2024, about 86% of all farms were SMALL family farms, with gross cash farm income below $350,000, and the latest extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired September 30, leaving Congress without a new long-term agriculture policy.

California Lettuce and Cyclospora and AFBF Urges Resume Talks with Canada

The Agribusiness Update
California lettuce was not implicated in a sprawling cyclospora outbreak that’s sickened thousands of people this summer, and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is urging the U.S. and Canada to return to the negotiating table.

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.

Peach Trees Coming Out and USDA Tariff Relief

The Agribusiness Update
California peach growers are removing hundreds of thousands of trees after the closure of Del Monte canning facilities left farmers without a major buyer, and USDA continues to evaluate possible tariff relief options for farmers impacted by trade disputes and rising production costs.

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Fruit Grower Report
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Organic Sales Climb and Farm Bill 2.0 Moves to House

The Agribusiness Update
U.S. sales of certified organic products accelerated in 2025 reaching $76.6 billion with an annual growth rate of 6.8%, and House Ag Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill 34-17 in a vote early Thursday.

Georgia Wine Highway Passport and Farm Bill 2.0 Moves to House

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Wine Producers have launched the Georgia Wine Highway Passport, a new digital program powered by the tech company Bandwango, and House Ag Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill 34-17 in a vote early Thursday.

American Farm Numbers Down and Ag Equipment Growth Expected

The Agribusiness Update
The number of farms in the U.S. fell by 15,000 in 2025, continuing a decline in the nation’s agricultural landscape, and U.S. ag equipment market expects steady growth over the next several years, driven by demand for precision technology.

American Farm Numbers Down and Ag Equipment Growth Expected

The Agribusiness Update
The number of farms in the U.S. fell by 15,000 in 2025, continuing a decline in the nation’s agricultural landscape, and U.S. ag equipment market expects steady growth over the next several years, driven by demand for precision technology.

Georgia Cottom Commission Donates Socks and USDA Push for More Ag Research

The Agribusiness Update
The Georgia Cotton Commission recently donated 12,000 pairs of socks to various homeless shelters across the state, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a number of coordinated actions that emphasize American agricultural research and innovation.

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.

Peanut Butter Challenge and Farmers React to Bridge Assistance

The Agribusiness Update
From creamy to crunchy, more than 32,000 jars of peanut butter are making their way into Florida homes, thanks to this year’s Peanut Butter Challenge, and national origin, and American farmers reacted to the USDA’s new $12 billion aid package with cautious relief.

California Winegrape Acres Removed and Endangered Species Act Changes

The Agribusiness Update
California winegrape growers have removed nearly 40,000 acres of vineyards, roughly 7% of the state’s winegrape acreage, and the Trump administration proposes sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act, setting up a fight with conservation groups.

North Carolina Bird Flu and Farm Bill Extension Does Little

The Agribusiness Update
North Carolina ag officials say nearly 9,500 turkeys at a Wayne County breeder operation have tested positive for bird flu, and the temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill offers little relief from rising costs and growing uncertainty.

Ransomware Attacks on Ag and Over 15,000 USDA Employees Leave

The Agribusiness Update
There were 84 ransomware attacks against the food and agriculture industry in the first three months of 2025, and over 15,000 USDA employees have taken one of the

Trump administration's two financial incentive offers to leave the agency.

Georgia Port Jobs and USTR's Fees on Chinese Ships

The Agribusiness Update
Port activity in Georgia now supports more than 600,000 full-or-part-time jobs across the state, and USTR's proposed fees on ocean carriers with ties to China could take a major toll on America’s farmers and ranchers.

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.