The Agribusiness Update

Sustainable agriculture advocates are concerned about the House fiscal year 2027 ag spending bill, and Americans continue to buy more meat despite rising grocery store prices.

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.

The National Peanut Board is launching a brand platform that aims to elevate peanuts beyond being a reliable staple: “It’s Not Nuts. It’s Peanuts," and China and the U.S agreed to reduce tariffs on agricultural trade as part of a broader agreement.

Private companies and researchers at the University of California, Davis, are working with farmers to develop new ways to reduce methane emissions from cattle, and China and the U.S agreed to reduce tariffs on agricultural trade as part of a broader agreement.

The DOJ is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, and a federal judge in California has denied a request by the United Farm Workers to temporarily block the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A workers.

Florida blueberry growers are reporting severe crop losses after a series of freezes in late January and early February, and Congressional negotiations over the next farm bill have intensified as lawmakers continue debating funding priorities, nutrition programs and conservation spending.

Every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages, and Congressional negotiations over the next farm bill have intensified as lawmakers continue debating funding priorities, nutrition programs and conservation spending.

The National Milk Producers Federation praised a new USDA interim final rule expanding milk options in federal child nutrition programs, and dispute is growing over federal grazing policy in western states as environmental groups prepare legal challenges.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture announce the 27 students selected to receive $70,000 in scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year, and growing scrutiny of the meatpacking industry and rising Brazilian beef imports are fueling a new debate.

The USDA will make up to $9 million available to fund the removal of cling peach orchards for growers after Del Monte plant closure in Modesto, and growing scrutiny of the meatpacking industry and rising Brazilian beef imports are fueling a new debate.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a number of bills related to agriculture, forestry, and natural resources into law, and federal trade court ruled President Trump unlawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% global tariff.

The introduction of new commercial strawberry varieties has raised expectations for an industry turnaround after years of declining production, and federal trade court ruled President Trump unlawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% global tariff.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and farm groups are emphasizing the importance of mental health support for farmers and ranchers facing growing stress, and USDA has finalized new stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and farm groups are emphasizing the importance of mental health support for farmers and ranchers facing growing stress, and USDA has finalized new stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

A large part of Southeast farm country is dry as farmers plant crops this spring, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has endorsed new bipartisan legislation aimed at clarifying how alternative protein products are labeled.

California farmers’ increasingly urgent need to reduce water use has attracted new businesses and more creative solutions for recycling wastewater, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has endorsed new bipartisan legislation aimed at clarifying how alternative protein products are labeled.

The new farm bill passed in the House includes key provisions supporting veterinary medicine, animal health, and public safety, and EPA releases draft Fungicide Strategy and is seeking public input as part of a 60-day comment period.

The DOJ has launched an antitrust investigation into the nation’s beef processing industry, and battle lines are being drawn in the Senate for a possible late May or early June markup of the recently passed House farm bill.

Florida residents should prepare for a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and Senate Democrats are pushing for changes to the newly passed House farm bill.

The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force will host its annual Smoke Summit on Monday, June 8, and Senate Democrats are pushing for changes to the newly passed House farm bill.

The USDA is restructuring its Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services mission, announcing plans to create a new Food and Nutrition Administration, and U.S. beef recently regained duty-free access to the United Kingdom as part of a deal reached by the Trump administration last year.

Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper announced the launch of the Georgia Grown Resource Center in Albany, and U.S. officials are seeking expanded Chinese purchases of American farm goods ahead of an expected presidential trip next month.

Mandates such as California’s Universal Meals Program already provide funding to improve access to nutritious meals served to public-school students, and U.S. officials are seeking expanded Chinese purchases of American farm goods ahead of an expected presidential trip next month.

The House of Representatives passed the 2026 Farm Bill and ag groups are expressing their appreciation, and new efforts by the Trump administration to impose import tariffs are drawing concern across the ag industry.

EPA approves CarriCea T1, a breakthrough citrus rootstock that helps trees defend themselves against citrus greening disease, and AccuWeather forecasting a slightly lower number of U.S. wildfires in 2026, but they could be more intense and destructive.