USMCA Affordability and More New World Screwworm Discovered

The Agribusiness Update
Purdue Universities’ new ‘USMCA Affordability Study’ finds that tariff reductions under these trade agreements help lower food prices by roughly 7% of household food expenditures, and the USDA confirmed three additional cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm.

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.

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.

Tropical Spiderwort Worries and No NEPA Analytics for GE Seeds

The Agribusiness Update
An invasive plant has reappeared in the Southeast, and farmers are warned to be on the lookout for tropical spiderwort, and USDA’s APHIS announced it will no longer conduct a National Environmental Policy Act analysis when approving genetically engineered seeds.

Contributing Weather Factors to Fatal Texas Flood

Line on Agriculture
Tropical moisture, climate triggers, and drought all played a role in the July 4th river floods that have killed multiple people.

California Okra and Skinny Farm Bill Next

The Agribusiness Update
While most U.S.-grown okra is produced in the Southeast,

California farmers have found success growing the tropical vegetable in the Central Valley, and Republicans cleared their agriculture megabill hurdle and are now looking to pass a smaller farm bill.

Hurricane Crop Insurance Reminder and EPA's Insecticide Strategy

The Agribusiness Update
Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index and the Tropical Storm Option are tools to help deliver prompt assistance to producers in hurricane-prone areas, and the EPA released its final Insecticide Strategy with practical protections for federally endangered and threatened species.

Florida Tropical Fruit Workshop and National Ag Aviation Assoc in D.C.

The Agribusiness Update
UF faculty and the Miami-Dade Extension office are hosting a free workshop this Thursday titled, “Climate Risk and Opportunities for Tropical and Subtropical Crops Production in Florida, and the National Ag Aviation Association at Ag on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Tropical Storm Forecast and Drone Swarm Exemption

The Agribusiness Update
Meteorologists at AccuWeather are warning people and businesses to start preparing now for what could be a busy tropical storm season, and the FAA issued an exemption for “drone-swarm” agriculture for seeding and spraying crops at a fraction of the cost.

NFU Applauds Right to Repair Act and Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program

The Agribusiness Update
The Agricultural Right to Repair Act is applauded by the National Farmers Union, and USDA announces second round of payments through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program.

Hilary Hits California Table Grapes and Farm Income Expected Down in 2024

The Agribusiness Update
California table grape growers suffer major crop losses after Tropical Storm Hilary slams vineyards, and U.S. farm income will decline modestly in 2024 and then run at historically high levels in the near term.

Gas-Diesel Prices Slip and Tractor & Combine Sales Higher

The Agribusiness Update
Gas and diesel prices slip in the wake of Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Nicholas, and U.S. tractor and combine sales increase last month.

Tropical Storm Claudette Relief and Private Property Rights Victory

The Agribusiness Update
Aid is coming from the USDA for victims of Tropical Storm Claudette, and California law allowing labor organizers to enter private farm property ruled unconstitutional.

California Wildfire N-95 Shortage and US-China 6-Month Phase 1 Review

The Agribusiness Update
As California wildfire ramps up a shortage of N-95 masks is concerning, and the U.S. and China will hold a videoconference this weekend to review the first six months of the Phase 1 trade deal.

Predicting Forest Changes

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
New research uses mathematical modeling to predict how certain areas may be affected by drought and other climate changes.

Postage Rate Hike & Quiet Time

Northwest Report
The Post Office is looking to raise rates...don't tell anyone but it's relatively quiet out there...and Lacy talks COOL.

Choking Game & Florida Fish Freeze

Northwest Report
A shocking study says young kids have been choking themselves, another Florida industry is suffering from the cold and Lacy takes a look at a fraud investigation.