Farm Progress Show Opens in Decatur as Industry Watches Economic Trends and FDA Proposes Orange Juice Rule Change The Farm Progress Show opens next week in Decatur, Illinois, and all eyes are on how the event will reflect the current state of the ag economy. While show attendance typically isn’t tied to broader economic trends, how much actual business is …
Pro Farmer Tour Outline
Pro Farmer Crop Tour Kicks Off Amid USDA Surprises; MAHA Report Brings Relief to Agriculture Well, I must start my report today wishing my wife Kathy a happy anniversary. It was a hot August day like this 52 years ago. “We said I do. A couple of Iowa farm kids, in fact, we had our reception on the Oppold farm. …
MAHA Report Draft Shows No Pesticide Restrictions
MAHA Report Draft Avoids Direct Action on Ultra-Processed Foods and Pesticides A new draft of the upcoming Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, reviewed by the New York Times, reveals that it will not propose direct restrictions on ultra-processed foods and pesticides, despite earlier speculation that stricter recommendations were on the table. The development could be considered a relief for …
A Look At State Fairs
Midwest State Fairs Wrap Up as Pro Farmer Crop Tour Kicks Off As summer reaches its final stretch, several Midwestern state fairs are coming to a close, while others are just getting started. “The Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois state fairs wrap up this weekend. Nebraska, Minnesota, and other fairs starting later this week.” State fairs have long served as …
Kellogg’s Signs Agreement to Remove Artificial Food Colors from Cereals
Kellogg’s Agrees to Remove Toxic Dyes from Cereals in Landmark Deal with Texas AG In a major win for consumer health and food safety, WK Kellogg Co., better known as Kellogg’s, has agreed to permanently remove artificial food dyes from its cereals sold in the United States. The commitment follows a formal investigation and negotiation process led by Texas Attorney …
Customs and Border Protection Seize Unmanifested Poultry and Meat from China
CBP Seizes Over 6,000 Pounds of Smuggled Meat from China in Los Angeles Port U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists in Los Angeles made a significant seizure earlier this week, confiscating over 6,000 pounds of poultry and meat products illegally shipped from China. The shipment, falsely labeled as tilapia, included unmanifested swine, avian, and ruminant products—a major biosecurity …
Trump and Putin Meet with China on Watch
Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska as Global Stakes Rise Over Ukraine and Rare Earth Minerals In a high-stakes diplomatic moment, President Trump and Russian President Putin are scheduled to meet today in Alaska, drawing global attention and reactions from nations with a vested interest in the outcome—China among them. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the war in …
Farmers Applaud Common-Sense Fix for Diesel Engines
Farm Bureau Praises EPA’s Revised Diesel Exhaust Fluid Guidelines In a major win for farmers and transporters across the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced revisions to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines for manufacturers of heavy trucks and off-road equipment. The move is being widely praised by the agricultural community, including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which …
Tariff Tensions, USDA Demand Doubts Add Pressure to Grain Markets
As global trade tensions escalate and domestic policy deadlines loom, grain markets are feeling the pressure. Beyond the latest USDA crop production numbers, key questions remain about how the agency will handle world demand estimates, especially amid ongoing tariff battles. “Beyond the crop production numbers, there remains a lot of questions regarding how USDA will handle world demand estimates, with …
Farm Bill 2025: Congressional Division and SNAP Cuts Set the Stage for a Fall Battle
As key agriculture programs approach expiration, tensions are rising in Washington over the next version of the farm bill. With the reconciliation bill having excluded several ag priorities, a 2025 farm bill battle appears inevitable this fall. “Several key agriculture programs that Republicans didn’t get in the reconciliation bill will expire soon. Punchbowl says a farm bill battle is coming …