Federal

From Farm Progress When Russia invaded Ukraine three and a half years ago, winter wheat prices skyrocketed. Commodity markets drove prices up to $8.46 per bushel in 2022 — more than $3 higher than in 2020. That’s enough to turn any farmer’s head. This global conflict is reshaping Illinois agriculture. While corn and soybeans still dominate the state’s farmland, farmers ... Read More »

On Oct. 2, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) announced that Sam Kieffer has been selected to serve as the organization’s next chief executive officer starting Nov. 1, bringing more than 20 years of experience in agricultural leadership and farm policy to the role. “I’m honored to join NAWG at such a pivotal time for wheat growers across the ... Read More »

From agriculture.com Authorization for the CRP and other farm bill programs not included in this summer’s budget reconciliation bill have lapsed amid the shift to a new fiscal year. House Ag Committee Chair Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., has made clear his hopes for a “skinny” farm bill, which would reauthorize programs not covered earlier this year in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful ... Read More »

From Farm Policy News Politico’s Grace Yarrow reported that “the Trump administration has pushed back its plans to roll out economic aid for farmers this week due to the government shutdown, according to four people familiar with the talks.” “The Office of Management and Budget has readied between $12 billion and $13 billion to be allocated from an internal USDA ... Read More »

By Paul Neiffer/agweb.com Farmers will receive more payments under the changes to ARC and PLC programs, and the increase could be significant. Read the article here. Read More »

From Successful Farming Surging costs for key crop nutrients that growers need could spur sharp cutbacks in fertilizer use. Prices are climbing for phosphate, crucial for plant growth, amid fear that an already difficult farm economy may be poised to worsen into a full-blown crisis. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From The Chronicle The saying is, “Agriculture is a profession of hope.” But hope in the farm community is waning. Or so says the monthly report from the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. The Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer’s August results were released earlier this week, painting a dichotomous picture in farming. With the national cattle herd the smallest it ... Read More »

From world-grain.com A combination of grain foods, including many everyday options, can support better nutrition and metabolic health when they deliver on nutrient density, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From Farm Policy News Agri-Pulse’s Lydia Johnson reported that “Congress has returned to Washington after the August recess. House Ag Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson told Agri-Pulse Newsmakers he still wants to take committee action on ‘farm bill 2.0’ in September and is eyeing including farm aid payments funded through tariff revenue.” Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From Farms.com A recent report shows that U.S. wheat exports are projected to reach their highest level in five years during the 2025/26 marketing year. This is great news for farmers and ranchers, as agricultural exports play a huge role in stabilizing the farm economy and supporting rural jobs. For every dollar of agricultural exports, more than two dollars are ... Read More »