Agri-Pulse DriveTime

Food industry groups are searching for a response to the MAHA Center commercial saying "processed food kills". The Trump administration is touting recent trade deals with India, Argentina, Guatemala, and El Salvador providing increased access for U.S. agriculture products. 

Today an update on CattleCon from Nashville and a preview of this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers. Approaching a new year beef producers see excellent demand, good prices and opportunity to begin building inventory. The group remains concerned about animal health, hopes for regulatory reform, and seeks greater access to global markets. 

Government assistance and higher cattle prices will help maintain net farm income this year according to the USDA's first forecast for 2026. A record crowd in Nashville greeted the HHS Secretary today at CattleCon. Agri-Pulse Newsmaker host Lydia Johnson reports from Music City. 

President  Trump spoke with Chinese leader Xi today in a move that could mean additional purchases of U.S. soybeans. A group of nearly 30 former ag leaders and executives appealed to ag leaders in Congress to take action to advert the ag economic crisis in the country. U.S., Russian and Ukrainian officials met again today following increased military activity between the two nations. 

The Treasury Department’s released proposed regulations for the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit as authorized by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and amended by last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The renewable fuels industry and commodity groups welcomed the news and their intentions to weigh in during the public comment period. 

President Trump announced a trade deal with India. European Union leaders are still considering a trade agreement with the U.S. NCBA leadership adopts their policy objectives for the year ahead. EPA officials weigh in on emissions and the right to repair issue. 

Josh Linville, Vice President of Fertilizer for StoneX says the reason for high fertilizer prices for 2026 is beyond the scope of individual companies or even domestic fundamentals. Linville says China's export lapse and U.S. tariffs have challenged available supplies for producers this year. 

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar announced her candidacy for Minnesota Governor today. The Senate Ag Committee advanced the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act and President Trump said he will announce his choice to lead the Fed Reserve next week. 

The Fed left interest rates unchanged in its first meeting of the new year. Market analysts see an increase in base acres in key crops. Higher subsidies should prove a catalyst for farmers purchasing increased protection against high input costs this year. 

Residents of Iowa were hopeful President Trump would show support for renewable fuels in his speech in Iowa today. Brazilian farmers are making early progress in harvesting what appears to be another record crop providing greater competition for U.S. supplies. 

Yet another ICE incident in Minnesota is increasing odds of a partial government shutdown. Senate Minority Leaders are demanding greater control on the Department of Homeland Security. President Trump may face a chilly reception in Iowa tomorrow following a lack of action on E15 last week in Congress. 

Congressional ag leaders continue to discuss additional financial aid for farmers to augment the Bridge Assistance forthcoming from the Trump Administration. The USDA's Cattle on Feed Report today gave no indication that beef producers are making an active effort to hold back heifers to and grow the cattle herd. 

A new study suggests a majority of the nation's corn farmers see a weakening farm economy. Study results suggest delayed machinery purchases and reduced investment in inputs for 2026 crops. Farmers and renewable fuel supporters express dismay at a new spending bill free of E15 legislation. 

Agriculture interests continue work to see financial assistance and E-15 legislation included funding bill under consideration in Congress. New economic analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation suggests the nation's ag economic crisis warrants immediate legislative action. 

A proposed spending bill introduced today does not include legislation that would allow sales of 15% ethanol blended gasoline. The National Corn Growers Association says every percent increase in ethanol blends equals 490 million bushels in demand for corn. 

Following a framework plan announced by Democrat legislators yesterday, Senate Republican leaders today discussed their own framework plan to bring additional assistance for farmers and specialty crop farmers. The Supreme Court today agreed to hear Bayer's challenge to Roundup litigation. 

House Ag Democrats today introduced the Farm and Family Relief Act. The framework plan would provide $28 billion dollars for relief to families and $29 billion dollars for farmers. The proposal would delay cost changes in food aid for low-income Americans and end President Trump's across-the-board tariffs.

The Energy Information Administration reports record daily ethanol production and increased stocks. Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association says Congress is feeling pressure to act on E-15 legislation to help increase corn demand. 

Stories of financial challenges echoed from farmers across the country this week at the American Farm Bureau Federation 107th meeting in California. Losses threaten a younger generation of farmers and rural communities if the imbalance of costs and returns continues across the nation. 

The American agriculture economic crisis continues to claim family farms in the face of high input costs, low commodity prices and limited global exports. The USDA reports higher stocks of crops globally and domestically providing more pressure on farm revenue. 

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer believes legislators will address remaining policy in a new farm bill this year and says another budget reconciliation bill is possible. National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Sam Kieffer says the Food for Peace Program should be moved from the State Department to the USDA. 

The Supreme Court could announce opinions tomorrow on President Trump's authority to levy tariffs on global trade partners. President Trump will withdraw U.S. participation in dozens of international organizations. Half of the total includes United Nation's entities. French and Greek farmers protested today in advance of a decision tomorrow by the European Commission on a free trade deal with Merc...

The Trump administration released its new Dietary Guidelines today. The plate is gone and the pyramid is back, only inverted. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Americans should "Eat real food." Produce and meat industry officials seemed pleased with the new guidance. 

Flags have been ordered at half staff in California as the state and the agriculture community nationwide mourns the loss of Representative Doug LaMalfa.  The Energy Information Administration reports ethanol represented over 11 percent of the nation's gasoline supply in October. Trade officials say China has purchased additional soybean supplies this week. 

The CDC lowers the number of vaccines recommended for children from 17 to 11. U.S. action in Venezuela could escalate tension between the U.S. and China. Private analysts are forecasting another record soybean crop in Brazil.