Senate Ag Schedules Fertilizer Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on May 12 to examine the persistent rise in fertilizer prices and the challenges of securing a stable supply for U.S. growers. Witnesses include Corey Rosenbusch of the Fertilizer Institute and representatives from market strategy, corn growers, farm bureaus, and fertilizer distributors. Lawmakers highlighted the impact of the Iran‑related closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens to keep prices high through 2027‑2028. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined an "all‑of‑government" plan to spur domestic production and improve market competition.
Opinion: A Fertilizer Crisis Is Driving up Costs — Don’t Waste a Homegrown Solution
Global supply shocks have driven U.S. fertilizer prices up as much as 40%, adding six‑figure costs to farmers. The article proposes using digestate—nutrient‑rich fertilizer from biogas digestion of manure and food waste—as a domestic alternative that can lower input costs...
Strains in the Food Supply Chain Are Pushing California Prices Higher
California's food supply chain is under strain as rising fuel, fertilizer and water costs force farmers to cut acreage and consolidate, while grocers absorb higher operating expenses. Diesel prices have topped $7 per gallon and fertilizer affordability has plummeted, squeezing...
Green Diesel Optimism Reigns in Chicago Amid Turnaround Buzz
The biomass‑based diesel sector is shedding its 2025 gloom as recent U.S. policy shifts spark optimism. The Trump administration has lifted biofuel‑blending volumes and introduced the 45Z tax credit, which rewards low‑carbon feedstocks. Concurrently, European biodiesel has traded below petroleum...
Ducks Unlimited Teams up with Regenified on Regen Verification
Ducks Unlimited has partnered with Regenified to verify regenerative agriculture practices on farms and ranches across North America. The collaboration creates an Accredited Verifier Network that will enable DU professionals to conduct on‑site and virtual audits using Regenified’s standards. The...
Daybreak May 5: Iran Ceasefire Under Strain as U.S. Reports Attacks on Ships
The ceasefire between the United States and Iran is under pressure after Iran fired missiles at a South Korean vessel and over a dozen UAE targets, prompting President Trump to launch “Project Freedom” to escort commercial ships through the Strait...
Europe Revisits Deforestation Rule without Recommending Further Simplification
The European Commission decided not to propose any further amendments to the core text of the EU deforestation rule, while narrowing its scope to exclude leather and retreaded tires and adding products such as soluble coffee and palm‑oil derivatives. Implementation...
Acting Attorney General Confirms Probe Into Beef Processors
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the Justice Department has launched a fresh antitrust probe into the U.S. beef industry, reviewing more than 3 million documents and interviewing hundreds of ranchers, producers and processors. The investigation targets the four largest...
Corteva's Seed and Genetics Business Gets a Name
Corteva announced that its seed and genetics unit will operate under the new name Vylor, replacing the SpinCo placeholder as the company prepares a formal split into two independent businesses. The rebrand highlights a portfolio backed by more than 4,000...
Daybreak May 4: U.S.-EU Trade Tensions Flare – Again
President Donald Trump announced on X that he will raise U.S. tariffs on European cars and trucks from 15% to 25% after accusing the EU of not honoring the 2020 trade deal. The EU Parliament’s trade committee condemned the move...
EPA Releases Fungicide Strategy to Address Impacts on Endangered Species
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a draft strategy to curb fungicide damage to species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The plan, mirroring earlier herbicide and insecticide blueprints, will guide registration reviews and may require label‑level mitigation measures...
Rogge-Fidler Exits Farm Foundation
The Farm Foundation announced that President and CEO Shari Rogge‑Fidler has resigned after leading the nonprofit since 2019. The board appointed longtime board member Todd Van Hoose as interim president and CEO while it conducts a formal executive search. Van...
California Almond Bearing Acreage Shrinks for the First Time in 30 Years
California’s bearing almond acreage slipped to an estimated 1.386 million acres for the 2026 crop year, marking the first decline since 1995. The drop of 15,227 acres follows four straight years of overall acreage contraction and 47,588 acres of orchard removals...
Hybrid Bees May Hold Key to Fighting Colony Collapse
Researchers at UC Riverside identified a hybrid feral honeybee population in Southern California that naturally suppresses Varroa mite infestations. Monitoring 236 colonies from 2019‑2022, they found these bees carried roughly 68% fewer mites than typical commercial hives. The hybrid’s diverse...
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Opinion: Phosphite Offers a Regenerative Path Out of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Trap
U.S. policymakers are scrambling to stabilize fertilizer markets amid soaring prices and supply shortages. Dr. Mike Gilbert argues phosphite, derived from phosphate rock, can cut phosphorus fertilizer use by up to 50%, delivering cost savings and supply resilience. The technology...
Daybreak April 27: Greer Recuses Self From Phosphate Decision
USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer has formally recused himself from any deliberations on countervailing duties targeting Russian and Moroccan phosphate fertilizers, citing conflict‑of‑interest rules. The move comes as the USDA and USTR are at odds over whether to maintain those duties...
Opinion: The RFS Supports Energy Security and Farm Security
Nebraska soybean growers have endured a third consecutive year of weak prices and rising input costs. The Trump administration and EPA finalized the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026‑27, cementing a minimum 5.25 billion‑gallon biomass‑based diesel volume. The rule unlocks a...
Daybreak April 23: E15 Hopes Stay High Despite Pushback From Mid-Sized Refiners
A House farm‑bill amendment would codify an E15 biofuel blend and preserve waiver options for refiners under extreme financial stress, drawing cheers from farm and biofuel groups but sharp opposition from mid‑size oil processors worried about losing exemptions. At the...
Opinion: As Fertilizer Volatility Persists, Efficiency Offers a Near-Term Policy Solution
Fertilizer price volatility is straining U.S. farms, yet Washington’s policy focus remains on boosting supply rather than immediate farmer decisions. About 70% of growers say they cannot afford needed fertilizer, prompting rapid changes in rates, timing, and nutrient mixes. Enhanced‑efficiency...
Rollins Teases Announcements on Forest Service, Fertilizer
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told a Senate appropriations hearing that the Trump administration will soon unveil an all‑government initiative aimed at lowering fertilizer prices and reducing U.S. reliance on Russian and Chinese imports. She also signaled that the USDA’s Forest...
US Eyes Ag Outcomes From Trump’s May China Visit
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the House Ways and Means Committee that President Trump’s upcoming China visit will seek a broader agricultural commitment beyond soybeans. The administration also flagged a tough stance toward Canada as the US‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA)...
Fresh E15 Proposal Adds Emergency Exemptions for Small Refiners
A new Capitol Hill proposal would allow year‑round sales of higher ethanol blends (E15) and give the EPA authority to issue emergency Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers to small refineries facing financial collapse. The bill caps total renewable‑fuel volume at...
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Daybreak April 21: Rollins Hints at Fertilizer Announcement This Week
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the administration will unveil a new fertilizer initiative this week, using tariff revenues to strengthen domestic supply amid an 80% rise in urea prices. Recent actions have included easing inland shipping rules and loosening...
Opinion: Investing in Ag Innovation Is a Strategic Opportunity for the United States
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have disrupted up to 30% of global fertilizer shipments, creating a two‑million‑ton shortfall that could affect U.S. farm yields and food prices. CGIAR argues that its research—particularly in nitrogen‑fixation, microbial soil health, and digital...
House Lawmakers Call for Rice-Specific Trade Investigation
A bipartisan group of 17 House members urged U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to launch a Section 301 investigation targeting unfair practices in global rice markets. The lawmakers cited subsidized imports from India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Brazil and the EU as threats...
Rollins to Visit Arizona as USDA Mulls Port Reopenings
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will travel to Douglas, Arizona, to evaluate whether to reopen southern cattle‑import ports that have been closed for over a year. Local officials argue the suspension has crippleed border‑town economies and that existing quarantine and traceability...
Greer: India ‘Considering’ Request to Add Apples to Trade Deal
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a House subcommittee that India is considering a request to reduce its 50% tariff on U.S. apples as part of the pending U.S.–India trade agreement. The request follows India’s recent concessions for EU and...
US Will Tap Tariff Funds to Calm Fertilizer Crisis: Rollins
The Trump administration plans to tap tens of billions of tariff revenue to shore up U.S. fertilizer supplies, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced during a House appropriations hearing. A 90‑minute meeting with top fertilizer producers, Commerce and trade officials explored...
Daybreak April 16: Trump Suggests UK Deal Could Be Reopened
President Donald Trump told Sky News the United States could revisit the terms of its recently‑signed trade deal with the United Kingdom. The agreement, which granted U.S. beef and ethanol producers expanded market access while imposing a 10% tariff on...
Gevo Pulls DOE Loan Bid to Focus on Private Funds for SAF Plant
Gevo Inc. withdrew its $1.46 billion Department of Energy loan guarantee request for a sustainable aviation fuel plant in North Dakota, opting for private financing instead. The DOE required the project to support enhanced oil recovery, a condition Gevo says isn’t...
Early Snowmelt, Rising Extremes Reshape Water Outlook
California’s April 2026 snow survey shows an early snowmelt and record warmth that erased most of the state’s snowpack, leaving reservoirs full but water locked in for the growing season. State and federal water allocations remain fixed at 30% despite...
Ag Exporters Applaud Appeals Court Ruling, More Sympathetic Maritime Body
A federal appeals court upheld the Federal Maritime Commission’s rule that price quotes far above market rates constitute an unreasonable refusal to provide vessel space. The decision curtails carriers’ practice of rejecting low‑value agricultural shipments during supply‑chain shocks. It signals...
Daybreak April 14: Former Chief Economist: Fertilizer Pullback May Not Significantly Impact Yields
Former USDA chief economist Joe Glauber told an agricultural panel that growers can trim fertilizer use despite high prices without a major hit to yields. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor urged pairing year‑round E15 ethanol sales with Renewable Fuel Standard...
USDA’s Vaden Slams Mosaic for Fertilizer Cuts Amid Crisis
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden publicly rebuked The Mosaic Company for idling its Araxá and Patrocínio phosphate mines in Brazil, warning that removing roughly a million tons of supply will push global fertilizer prices higher. Mosaic defended the shutdown as...
Daybreak April 13: E15 Watch Resumes as Congress Returns After Break
Congress returns from recess with a sharp focus on passing year‑round E15 ethanol blend legislation, a priority voiced by Rep. Dusty Johnson and Sen. Elissa Slotkin. Lawmakers such as Rep. Randy Feenstra face heightened political pressure, as the E15 bill...
Trade Court Channels 1970s Congress as It Weighs Legality of Global Tariff
The U.S. Court of International Trade heard arguments on Friday over President Donald Trump’s 10% global tariff, which was imposed under the rarely used 1974 Section 122 statute. Plaintiffs – 24 Democratic‑leaning states and two small businesses – contend the law...
Daybreak April 10: Tariff Arguments Before Trade Court Today
The Court of International Trade will hear arguments today on the legality of President Trump’s 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Plaintiffs—including Democratic state attorneys general, governors, and two small businesses—contend the tariff was...
Consumer Price Index up 0.9%, Fueled by Rising Price of Gas
The U.S. Consumer Price Index jumped 0.9% in March, largely propelled by a 21.2% surge in gasoline prices amid the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran. Over the past year, gas has risen 18.9%, while fuel oil climbed 44.2%, pushing the overall...
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USDA Raises Price Estimates for Several Commodities
The USDA’s latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) raised season‑average price forecasts for wheat, corn, soybeans, soybean meal, cheese and cotton. Wheat and corn prices each rose 5 cents to $5.00 per bushel and $4.15 per bushel respectively,...
Opinion: Cutting Food Aid, Research Risks U.S. Competitiveness
The Trump administration’s budget proposal calls for cuts to Food for Peace, McGovern‑Dole and key agricultural research programs, prompting alarm from the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). NAWG argues that these programs generate demand for U.S. wheat, support supply‑chain...
Daybreak April 9: Ceasefire Confusion Keeps Hormuz Traffic Throttled
Confusion over the U.S.-Iran ceasefire has left the Strait of Hormuz largely shut, with only two vessels reported moving on Wednesday while hundreds remain anchored. At the same time, Mosaic announced it will idle two Brazilian phosphate mines, trimming global...
Opinion: Fertilizer Shocks From the Middle East Conflict Ripple Through Global Food Chains
The Middle East conflict is unsettling global fertilizer supply chains by inflating natural‑gas costs and creating maritime bottlenecks, pushing fertilizer prices up 6.5% in February 2026. Because natural gas accounts for 70‑80% of production costs, any price shock quickly translates...
Daybreak April 8: US and Iran Reach Ceasefire, but Price Effects Could Linger
President Donald Trump announced a two‑week halt to U.S. strikes on Iran after Tehran agreed to a cease‑fire and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While the diplomatic breakthrough eases immediate geopolitical tension, shipping insurers warned that risk‑based premiums will...
New Reports Spotlight Persistent Food Safety Risks From Produce
Federal food safety agencies released two new reports showing fresh produce still drives most foodborne illness outbreaks. FDA’s CORE report logged ten public health advisories in 2024, including a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to carrots and a listeria outbreak...
Renewable Fuel Standard Politics Roil Outlook for E15
The EPA’s new biofuel‑blending rules set record Renewable Fuel Standard quotas but reallocated 70% of the 2023‑25 small refinery exemptions into the 2026‑27 standards, widening the rift between large and small refiners and complicating year‑round E15 legislation. Farm‑state lawmakers, especially...
USTR Greer: USMCA Can Remain a Trilateral Deal and Handle Bilateral Issues
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Hudson Institute audience that the US‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement can remain a trilateral framework while adding separate bilateral protocols for Mexico and Canada. The upcoming USMCA review, kicking off on July 1, will address grievances such...
Daybreak April 7: Trump Threatens Uptick in Iran Strikes as Fertilizer Concerns Deepen
President Donald Trump warned Iran that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the United States will dramatically increase the scale and intensity of strikes, targeting bridges and power plants. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the upcoming operation will be...
Deere Reaches Settlement in Antitrust Class Action
John Deere agreed to a $99 million settlement to resolve a class‑action antitrust lawsuit alleging it monopolized farm equipment repairs. The deal requires Deere to offer owners, lessees and independent repair shops licensed access to diagnostic and repair tools on fair,...
Opinion: End Fertilizer Import Tariffs to Bring Relief to Farmers
U.S. fertilizer giants Mosaic and J.R. Simplot secured import tariffs on Moroccan phosphate fertilizers after a 2020 petition to the International Trade Commission. The duties halted shipments, driving domestic fertilizer prices to historic highs and adding $6.9 billion in costs for...
President's Budget Would Slash USDA Spending by $4.9B
The FY2027 budget request from the Trump administration proposes a $4.9 billion, or 19 percent, cut to USDA, eliminating the Food for Peace and McGovern‑Dole international aid programs and slashing other key initiatives. It earmarks $50 million to move USDA staff to regional...