Top Agriculture News

WASHINGTON (AP) — After refusing to convene the U.S. House during the government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson is recalling lawmakers back into session. They are set to consider the bill to reopen the federal government on Wednesday. As hundreds of lawmakers return they are bringing pent-up legislative demands after nearly two months away. There are calls to release the Jeffrey Epstein files and swear-in Arizona’s Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her special election back in September. It’s all a test of the speaker’s leadership and shows the ways he has amassed power alongside President Donald Trump.

This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. Markets are already positioning ahead of the USDA report that will be released this Friday, Nov. 14, at noon. It was supposed to be released Monday, Nov. 10, but the government shutdown threw a wrench in that. […]

The National Potato Council expresses sharp disappointment over the U.S.-Japan trade agreement.  NPC CEO Kam Quarles says President Trump was unable to finally open access to the Japanese market for U.S. fresh potatoes. “We were very optimistic given all the tariff leverage that President Trump had created, specifically on Japan.” Unfortunately, Quarles says the meeting […]

If a disease outbreak were to occur, efficient and accurate swine traceability may help reduce the number of animals impacted and the response time. Dr. Brent Pepin, director of swine health with the National Pork Board, emphasizes how show pigs may impose disease risks because of their frequent travel. “I mean, show pig producers move […]

The Environmental Protection Agency took three key actions in recent months: The Farmdoc team at the University of Illinois says that, when examined individually, each decision represents a meaningful policy development. However, when analyzed collectively through the lens of biomass-based diesel RVOs, their combined impact appears to create conditions for a dramatic increase in domestic […]

From rural America to Pennsylvania Avenue, farmers concerned about the high cost of inputs and the impact of tariffs on their livelihood took their message across the country, concluding this week in Washington, DC. Brian Kuehl, executive director of Farmers for Free Trade, says their motorcade covered more than 8-thousand miles, and they heard from […]

The Texas Sorghum Producers recently took a trade trip to Asia to expand trade opportunities. Wayne Cleveland, the executive director of the Texas Sorghum Producers, said they’ve had some success in Vietnam. “We were there two years ago and overheard a guy from Vinh (Hoan) 1, which is a big, private-owned feed company, had mentioned […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is poised to take the first steps toward ending the 40-day government shutdown Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of healthcare subsidies, angering many in their caucus who want to continue the fight. The agreement from Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan and Sen. Angus King of Maine would pass three annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January. That’s according to three people familiar with the agreement who requested anonymity until the deal is made public. Senate Democrats were meeting Sunday evening to discuss the proposal. The government shutdown has now lasted 40 days.

A 208-year-old publication that farmers, gardeners and others keen to predict the weather have relied on for guidance will be publishing for the final time. Farmers’ Almanac said Thursday that its 2026 edition will be its last, citing the growing financial challenges of producing and distributing the book in today’s “chaotic media environment.” Access to the online version will cease next month. The Maine-based publication was first printed in 1818. It’s distinct from the Old Farmer’s Almanac in neighboring New Hampshire. Both publications were among hundreds of almanacs that served a nation of farmers over two centuries ago. Most were regional publications and no longer exist.

This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. In the days after the meeting between Trump and Xi, there were a lot of headlines made by U.S. announcements, but the Chinese side was curiously quiet. This week, they have released more details of the agreement […]