Agri-Pulse DriveTime

President Trump announced today that he will not renew the USMCA trade agreement in its current form. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today announced a $500 million dollar program to boost domestic fertilizer production. Yesterday's USDA crop forecast continued to support wheat futures. 

The USDA's Grain Stocks report indicated no shortage of old crop supplies of corn, soybeans or wheat. The department's acreage forecast showed no reduction in corn planted area from the March Intentions while soybean acres were higher. House Ag Chair Glenn Thompson introduced legislation offering sweeping reforms to the nation's H2A Program. 

Agriculture groups are anxiously anticipating an ag labor bill being introduced tomorrow. Farmers today lamented the challenges associated with a lack of an adequate workforce. Cases of New World screwworm continue to climb and crop condition of corn and soybeans decline from one week ago. 

President Trump says Iran violated a ceasefire agreement by firing at a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman says he may be willing to compromise on passing SNAP expenses to states with high error rates. 

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto and parent company Bayer today verifying  the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency and the nation's existing FIFRA law. Renewable fuel representatives applaud President Trump's push for E15 legislation.  RFA steps in to defend recent RVO numbers from the EPA. 

President Trump says gasoline prices aren't falling fast enough and is pointing fingers at oil companies. A compromise on SNAP program spending may be the key to approving a farm bill in the Senate. A key USDA official says a decision is pending on prevented plant options with crop insurance. 

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman released draft language of a new farm bill. The Arkansas Republican hopes to see language approved and conferenced with the House version. Boozman says additional financial assistance for farmers and E15 legislation will be considered separately. 

The Senate draft of a new farm bill is expected to be released this week. Nutrition spending remains a top obstacle.  The USDA reports 68% of U.S. Corn acres and 66% of U.S. Soybean acres are rated good to excellent as most crops are emerged and some acres enter the reproductive cycle of growth. 

Weather data suggests crop damage from severe weather is running well ahead of the average. Weather patterns suggest the worst may not be over. Despite economic challenges for some Brazilian farmers, the country's overall production may not suffer as a result. 

The Fed kept interest rates steady but markets fell after a number of officials favored one or more rate increases this year. The European Union has taken a major step toward approving new genetic breeding techniques. A report on Brazil's farm economy suggests debt is increasing and foreclosures are climbing.  

A new study authored by S&P Global Energy suggest biofuels could be the catalyst to renewed profitability for farms across the nation. Research suggests crop productivity growth will exceed demand and further challenge farm income potential. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says time is limited to approve E15 legislation this year. 

Clean Fuels Alliance America applauds the Trump administration's decision on higher Renewable Volume Obligations. Add the Corn Refiners Association to the list of agriculture groups supporting a continuation of the USMCA the trade agreement.

The world is again attentive to an agreement between the U.S. and Iran that would open the Strait of Hormuz and end the military action in the Middle East. Renewable fuel groups appear pleased with the Energy Department's latest version of the 45Z-CF- Greet Model. 

Members of the agriculture industry are sharing the advantages they see from the USMCA trade agreement. Many groups are encouraged to hear ag labor legislation my soon be introduced on Capitol Hill. 

State and USDA officials continue to monitor and try to contain confirmed cases of New World screwworm in the country. Congressman Chip Roy says eradicating the pest hinges on the number of sterile flies available to release in impacted areas.  Dairy farmers are in Washington this week and hopeful for progress on an ag labor bill. 

Members of the International Fresh Produce Association are in Washington this week. Leaders are calling on legislators to resolve labor issues, provide market access for crops and restore funding for fresh produce in government feeding programs. 

The number of confirmed cases of New World screwworm continues to climb in Texas. Soybean condition declined while corn held steady last week. A new study illustrates the relationship between USMCA and consumer food prices. 

Commodity prices lost ground all week under fundamental pressure. Financial markets had their worst day since last October following today's jobs report. A new study was released this week indicating areas where women in agriculture need support. Over 8 in 10 women surveyed say they are interested in leadership either now or in the future. 

USDA and related government agencies are on task in Texas dealing with a New World screwworm case in a young calf. National Cattlemen's Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall says this is an animal health issue and work is underway to contain it. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins testified before the House Agriculture Committee today. 

The USDA is investigating a possible case of New World screwworm in South Texas. Nutrition spending may be the biggest challenge for Senators to face in writing a new farm bill. The Trump administration may be imposing new tariffs on certain trading partners. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says New World Screwworm is now just 25 miles from the Texas border. Rollins told media today she would begin regular updates on the issue. Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Host Lydia Johnson reports from the Food and Ag Issues Summit today in California. 

World Pork Expo is scheduled for this week in Iowa. Agri-Pulse founder Sara Wyant previews the Food and Ag Issues Summit set for tomorrow in California. The International Year of the Woman ACE Summit kicked off today in Arlington. 

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin discusses the backlog of pesticide reviews and Small Refinery Exemption requests left by the Biden administration. Zeldin discusses the path forward on an unbiased review of glyphosate herbicide and intent to follow the science on matter. Zeldin says EPA will implement any change Congress brings to the RFS program.  

An investigation into fertilizer price spikes is underway according to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin tells Agri-Pulse researchers will "follow the science" in its review of the safety of glyphosate without bias. The STB has unanimously accepted a revised merger application between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. 

President Trump today said Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and says he won't let the upcoming mid-term elections rush to a deal to end the conflict. Farmers can now review their base acres with the FSA for the first time since 2002. An Agri-Pulse webinar at noon central tomorrow will concentrate on industry growth and reaching historic RVO numbers.