U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the removal of lenders from the USDA Rural Development Lending program. The lenders removed from participation in the OneRD Guaranteed Lending program include portfolios with approximately $620 million in delinquent loans. According to the department this accounts for approximately 47% of Rural Development’s delinquent loans. Secretary Rollins said, ““The Trump Administration has absolutely …
Government Regulations Eroding US Ag Competitiveness
Southern Ag today reports that the United States is a major competitor in producing agricultural products, but one area that erodes U.S. competitiveness is the increase in government regulations. Southern Ag reports that it shows that the total number of pages of the Code of Federal Regulations increased from around 15,000 in 1950 to around 190,000 today. If the cost of U.S. regulations were …
Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Market Watch
More headlines showing up, wondering if these Iranian rumors and elsewhere headlines across the world setting a commodity trap, especially in the live cattle and feeder cattle trade. We take a look at where the live cattle and feeder cattle futures might find some solid support. Big declines here late week and early week, trying to stabilize August live cattle rolling from June to …
Historic Iowa Farmland Auction Draws Crowds and Millions
A Rare Moment in American Agricultural History In a remarkable snapshot of rural America, Mark Oppold highlights an extraordinary farmland auction that captured the attention of the local farming community and beyond. Events like these are not just about land changing hands—they represent legacy, opportunity, and the enduring value of American agriculture. Bitter Cold, Red-Hot Demand On a frigid February …
Location, Land, and Legacy: Farmland Values Still Tell the Story
A Constant in Agricultural History Farmland values have always played a central role in the story of American agriculture. From the earliest days of settlement to today’s highly productive farming regions, the worth of land has reflected not only its productivity, but also its location, accessibility, and long-term potential. As highlighted by agricultural broadcaster Mark Oppold in his American Agriculture …
Insights From Last Weeks Federal Reserve Meeting
We all saw the headlines a week ago today, the Federal Reserve Board leaving interest rates unchanged. But Bottom Line analysts found some interesting side notes since then that will be interesting to follow in the months ahead, especially with the new Fed chairman. Last week, 12 governors voted, and 11 voted to leave rates unchanged. The Fed governor, Stephen Miron, dissented in favor of …
USDA Announces Expanded Partnership with EXIM Bank
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an expanded partnership with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). This partnership is expected to increase domestic ag production and exports, while reducing the ag trade deficit. In addition to this partnership, USDA also announced the launch of the Financial Assurance to Revitalize Markets Initiative, an effort to strengthen and modernize …
Major Ag Companies Report Earnings
The corporate earnings calendar continues this week, major agricultural companies reporting. Eli Lilly and Caterpillar reported last week and helped the NASDAQ and S&P 500 end April with the biggest monthly percentage gain since the COVID years of 2020. Today, this includes Pfizer, Corteva, ADM, and AGCO Corporation. Tomorrow’s list includes Nutrien and Elanco Animal Health. Agri-Marketing Ag Stock Index showing year-to-date AGCO stock is up over 8%, Corteva …
Deputy Secretary Provides Update on Fertilizer Price Discovery
At the recent USDA press conference on fertilizer actions, we asked about the Department’s efforts in fertilizer price discovery. USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden provided an update on the administration’s efforts. Deputy Secretary Vaden said, “The way price discovery generally works is you have multiple competitors in the marketplace and it’s through their competition we find what the appropriate market price is …
House Passes Farm Bill 2.0
From Washington, good news. The House of Representatives have passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The final vote this week, 224 in favor, 200 against. The statement from the Chairman of the Committee said, Working in Congress on behalf of our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities is an honor, even when we have to debate the Farm Bill through …










