Dry soil is a growing concern for a number of farmers approaching Spring planting. Two fertilizer producers want to keep countervailing duties on fertilizer imports. Gasoline prices continue to climb and egg prices are down significantly compared to a year ago.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Commerce Department and members of Congress are looking for a public action plan on how to stabilize fertilizer markets and reduce prices. Brazilian consultancy firm AgRual has cut its forecast for corn production and raised its outlook for soybeans. Crop analysts question if the USDA's planting survey accurately reflects farmer crop intentions resulting from the war with Iran.

The USDA's Prospective Plantings report today showed more corn and fewer soybean acres than traders expected. Dan Basse with AgResource Company says the totals will change and crop prices will face pressure. Legislation has been introduced to provide incentives for plant-based products.

The USDA is set to release a March 1 Grain Stocks report and a Prospective Plantings report for the 2026 crop year. Analysts question whether fertilizer availability and price will influence final acreage. The nation's pork producers hope for the certainty of a new farm bill with a fix for California's Proposition 12 law.

President Trump welcomed hundreds of farmers, ranchers and agriculture leaders to the White House today to offer updates on issues critical to the ag industry. Farmers were pleased to hear calls for more renewables in the fuel supply as well as efforts to expand global trade opportunities.

Farm groups are speculating what information the Trump administration might share at a White House event tomorrow. Farm groups hope renewable energy regulations as well as updates on E15 legislation and USMCA might be included in President Trump's remarks Some analysts speculate corn acreage will fall significantly in next week's USDA acreage report.

President Trump has rescheduled a visit to China for mid-May. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced an emergency E15 waiver for the summer driving season. Industry representatives were grateful and still hopeful the Trump administration would have additional good news for renewable fuels before the end of the month.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman has a goal of completing a new farm bill in "weeks not months". Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar says Democrats have some priorities for the new policy including pushing back on SNAP cost share dollars for states.

The Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit today was a huge success today at the National Press Club. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson says work is underway to see the committee's farm bill approved in the House. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says new RVO numbers will be released by the end of the month and USTR Ambassador Julie Callahan says the U.S. trade balance is slowly improving.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in fertilizer price discovery. Cattle placed in feedlots during February were well above a year ago. Wildfires have burned over 800,000 acres in Nebraska. Thousands of head of cattle are left without pastures as fires are still burning in the state.