Agri-Pulse DriveTime

The safety of glyphosate was debated at today's Senate Confirmation Hearing for Casey Means as U.S. Surgeon General. A farm lender says significant economic challenges could be ahead if Congress doesn't act to improve domestic crop consumption.  Corn growers took to their phones to share their frustration on E-15 legislation.

USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce reports farmer participation in the Bridge Assistance Program is off to an excellent start. American Soybean Association CEO Steve Censky hopes for strong RVO numbers from the EPA and additional financial assistance for producers from Congress.

Two commodity grower leaders say Congress has the power to improve the financial outlook for corn and soybean growers.  American Soybean Association Chairman Caleb Ragland says farmers need the certainty of a new farm bill.  National Corn Growers Chairman Kenneth Hartman says Bridge Assistance is welcomed but they need the additional demand that would come from E-15.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court today ruled against the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The Justices said Congress, not the president, has the constitutional authority to levy tariffs. Following the ruling Trump said he would use a combination of statutes to replicate some of the emergency tariffs.

The USDA sees a modest easing in crop inputs and a slight increase in some commodity prices for the coming crop year. As expected the department's analysis sees fewer acres planted to corn and larger soybean acreage for the coming year. A bipartisan Soils Caucus has been launched for the 119th Congress.

Sources suggest the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to submit proposed biofuel blending quotas to the White House this week. The Trump administration hopes to finalize the measures by the end of March. Health and environmental groups are posing a legal challenge to the EPA's recission of the endangerment finding. The USDA's 102nd Outlook Forum begins tomorrow in Crystal City.

Bayer announced a proposed multi-billion dollar settlement between its indirect subsidiary Monsanto and plaintiffs alleging exposure to Roundup caused cancer. The settlement was filed today in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis. The USDA today announced proposed updates to federal line speed regulations in poultry and pork establishments operating under modern inspection systems. CoBank expects fewer acres planted to corn and more to soybeans in the U.S. this year.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson released the text of Farm Bill 2.0 today. Debate on the measure is scheduled to begin Monday, February 23rd. The Chicago Fed Reserve Bank reports higher land values over the previous year but expects agriculture credit conditions to decline this year. The Supreme Court could rule later this month on President Trump's tariffs.

Senate GOP leaders abdicated for the USMCA trade agreement this week in contrast to the Trump administrations indifference to the upcoming review of the North American deal. A Chinese news agency suggests a thawing of relations with the U.S. and an extension of the trade truce. The USDA has issued new guidance to child nutrition program directors.

Florida officials are raising concerns about pesticide traces in bread. Industry sources share the highest samples are well below government accepted limits. The Congressional council charged with developing a renewable fuel compromise faces a February 15 deadline.