As the federal government shutdown continues, Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association senior vice president of government affairs, looks at the impacts on cattle producers across the country. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the …
Shutdown Delays WOTUS Comment Period
The government shutdown is delaying a comment period for the Trump administration’s new Waters of the U.S. proposal. The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers will delay publishing the proposed WOTUS replacement in the Federal Register until after funding is restored at EPA, according to Politico. The 60-day comment period won’t begin until the proposed rule is published …
2019 Starting with More Uncertainty for Farmers
Farm bill passage in late 2018 was thought to provide certainty to U.S. agriculture moving forward. However, 2019 started with perhaps more uncertainty than ever before. The government shutdown has U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency offices across the nation closed, just as farmers are seeking advice for the upcoming planting season. Meanwhile, the farm bill, which provides …
Delay with MFP Payments
Continuation of the partial government shutdown is affecting the second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to farmers. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida …
Shutdown Delays USMCA Trade Agreement
The government shutdown could stall progress on President Trump’s North American Free Trade Agreement replacement, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Analysis of the agreement has stopped during the shutdown as the U.S. International Trade Commission, responsible for examining the trade agreement, remains at a standstill. If continued, Politico reports the shutdown could delay release of the report on the economic impact …
Shutdown Delays Smithfield N.C. Trial
A federal judge has delayed the Smithfield Foods trial in North Carolina as the case is another victim of the government shutdown. The start of the case was postponed because juror’s pay could not be guaranteed, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. A federal judge delayed the trial scheduled to begin this week, and noted the hearing would be rescheduled …
Government Shutdown Causing ELD Confusion
According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Federal Government shutdown has caused uncertainty for livestock haulers operating under the electronic logging device (ELD) exemption. Misleading media reports touting the ELD delay as “permanent” further confused the situation. NCBA clarified that the ELD delay is only temporary and Congress needs to take additional steps to provide haulers with regulatory relief. Here is what NCBA Vice President of Government …
Concerns Over Timely Farm Bill Implementation
The partial government shutdown, including non-essential USDA functions, is raising producer concerns over timely farm bill implementation, ahead of this year’s planting season. As if farmers didn’t have enough problems with years of low-prices, trade and other troubles. Now, the partial government shutdown, in its second week, is unnerving producers, according to American Farm Bureau Executive Director Dale Moore. “It’s …
NRCS Still Open
During the partial Federal Government shutdown, your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices are open. But, due to a lapse in federal funding, some USDA websites are not being actively updated. Once funding has been reestablished, online operations will continue. But information concerning various NRCS programs is still available at nrcs.usda.gov. NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural …
New Congress Convenes as Shutdown Delays Farm Payments
New leaders convene in Congress with the need to find an end to the government shutdown. The Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies are reaching a “breaking point,” according to Politico, as many agencies are running out of carryover funding. USDA has closed Farm Service Agency offices across the nation due to the shutdown. Producers who have certified 2018 …