Justice Department Opens Criminal Investigation of Beef Companies
The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into National Beef, Cargill, Tyson Foods and JBS to determine whether they colluded on cattle‑auction pricing. The four firms together control roughly 85% of the domestic beef market, and ranchers have long alleged anticompetitive behavior. The probe follows President Trump’s demand for an inquiry amid record beef prices and a separate civil antitrust suit targeting major egg producers. While no charges have been filed, the investigation raises the risk of steep fines and possible prison time for executives.
Iran Ceasefire Won’t Provide Immediate Fertilizer Relief
A two‑week cease‑fire between the U.S. and Iran includes a pledge to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts say the limited window won’t instantly normalize fertilizer shipments. Prices for major fertilizers, especially urea, have surged—Urea up 34% month‑over‑month—keeping retail...
Deere Settles Class Action Right-to-Repair Lawsuit
John Deere agreed to a $99 million settlement for a class‑action lawsuit alleging restrictive repair practices, and pledged a ten‑year commitment to supply farmers with the digital tools needed for equipment maintenance, diagnosis, and repair. The settlement covers eligible plaintiffs who...
Trump Budget Would Cut USDA Funding by $4.9 Billion
President Trump’s FY 2027 budget proposes a $4.9 billion, 19 % cut to USDA discretionary authority, reducing it to $20.8 billion. The plan seeks to eliminate the Food for Peace and McGovern‑Dole aid programs, slash $510 million from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,...
Mosaic and Simplot Support Keeping Phosphate Fertilizer Tariffs
Mosaic and Simplot have publicly endorsed keeping the countervailing duties on Moroccan and Russian phosphate fertilizer, which have ranged from 16.6% to over 47% since 2021. The duties are now in a five‑year sunset review by the Department of Commerce...
Farmers Will Plant Less Corn and More Soy in 2026, USDA Says
The USDA’s Prospective Plantings report shows U.S. corn acreage at 95.338 million acres, a 3.4% decline from last year but still above analyst forecasts. Soybean plantings are projected at 84.7 million acres, up 4.3% from 2025 yet falling short of expectations. Corn...
Ag Secretary Rollins Working Directly With Input Companies to Lower Prices
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is meeting directly with fertilizer and diesel input CEOs to seek price relief for farmers as the Iran‑Israel conflict drives up global input costs. Diesel and urea prices have surged, with urea up roughly 39%...
EPA Sets Record High Biofuel Blending Volumes
The EPA finalized the 2026‑2027 Renewable Fuel Standard, setting total biofuel volumes at 26.81 billion gallons for 2026 and 27.02 billion gallons for 2027, with a 70 % reallocation of small‑refinery exemptions. Corn‑based ethanol retains a 15‑billion‑gallon floor, while biomass diesel and advanced...