Agri-Pulse DriveTime

The new president of Syngenta's North American Crop Protection business

, Jeff Cecil says this cyclical cycle in agriculture is unlike any he's seen before. The Kentucky native says innovation is key to farmers around the globe meeting the increased demand for food. Cecil succeeds Vern Hawkins who retired after more than 40 years with the company.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a 100% reallocation of Small Refinery Exemptions. Agriculture leaders praised the decision and hope the plan can be finalized in the calendar year.  Syngenta's Val Dolcini still believes a new farm bill can be approved in the Lame Duck session.

A bipartisan group of legislators sent a letter to Trump administration officials requesting action on biofuel RVO's for 2026 and 2027. A popular political analyst is using more blue paint on the horizon for next month's elections. USDA forecast larger crops and carryover stocks for major commodities today.

Traders continued to consolidate their market positions in front of the USDA's WASDE report Friday. Corn and soybean export sales were on the low end of trae expectations. Soybean export sales for the year are running well ahead for the year. Corn planting in Argentina are running ahead of the average pace at 30% complete.

Minutes from the last meeting of the Fed showed a unanimous decision to raise interest rates with additional increases expected this year. Agriculture groups shared appreciation for President Trump's effort to lower diesel prices, but most say it won't offset costs that are over 70% higher than a year ago. NOAA is keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Isaias which is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane making landfall in the Delta by Saturday morning.

Agriculture groups expressed gratitude for President Trump's action to lower diesel fuel expenses. Wheat prices continue to see support from an escalation in fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Farmer sentiment fell last month according to the latest survey by the CME Group and Purdue University.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says President Trump will have an announcement of a plan to help lower fuel prices at the pump. The news follows action last week by G7 nations to release oil and diesel from reserves. The corn and soybean harvest is running behind the five-year average.

A new ag leader says even with additional financial assistance from Washington, there will be fewer farmers next year.  Diesel prices are directly impacting farmer bottom lines this fall and indirectly reducing revenue from higher shipping costs.

A former national farm bureau leader is at odds with his home state association over a political endorsement for the U.S.Senate. Market insiders say ample stocks and poor crush margins prevent Chinese buyers from being more aggressive for U.S. supplies. Both drought and heavy rains are impacting early planting in Brazil.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman says there are multiple ways to still get a new farm bill in this calendar year. Boozman told the Arkansas Farm Bureau that he and staffers would work through the recess to be ready for the Lame Duck Session. Boozman said additional financial assistance for farmers was still possible this year.