Agri-Pulse DriveTime

The House of Representatives approved legislation to allow whole milk back in school lunchrooms. The Whole Milk for Heathy Kids Act now awaits President Trump's signature. The North American Renderers Association estimates a half billion dollars of Used Cooking Oil is stolen in the U.S. each year.

This week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers guest is House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig. The Minnesota Democrat says the Trump Bridge Assistance Program is inadequate especially if there's no change in the nation's trade policy.

USSEC CEO Jim Sutter believes the Chinese want a better trade relationship with the U.S. despite uncertainty over the specifics of the trade deal. Indiana Farm Bureau delegates are meeting this week at the same time their elected leaders are in the Hoosier Statehouse.

U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer wasn't willing to commit on whether the Trump administration would favor a trilateral USMCA Trade Agreement or prefer a bilateral deal with both Canada and Mexico. Senate Republicans appear willing to find additional financial assistance for crop farmers. The Fed lowered interest rates today.

American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland says growers appreciate the Trump administration's efforts to provide financial assistance to farmers suffering from enormous economic headwinds. Ragland says Washington could help with favorable legislation and regulatory decisions to stimulate crop demand.

The Trump administration announced a $12 billion dollar financial assistance package today for farmers impacted by a loss of global markets and high input costs. The USDA's WASDE report tomorrow could include revised export estimates for major commodities.

USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden says the Trump administration started from ground zero on opening trade opportunities for U.S. farmers. Vaden says the agency will announce a financial assistance package for farmers next week. The Plant Based Products Council announces new research showing favorable consumer acceptance for plant based products.

Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association shared their review of the USMCA trade agreement in Washington this week. AgResource Company's Dan Basse believes China used the futures market to secure promised purchases of U.S. soybeans.

Agriculture groups say China's lack of purchases of ag commodities under the Phase One trade deal is only a part of their failure to live up to previous commitments. The EIA reports record ethanol production. Land O' Lakes is teaming with Microsoft to introduce AI tools for agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said today that the USDA will announce a tariff assistance package for farmers next week. The Trump administration says it will withhold SNAP food assistance from states that do not comply with requests for information on those who receive assistance. The administration says the information is needed to spot fraud.