Agri-Pulse DriveTime

Following a meeting in the Oval Office yesterday with President Trump and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today said an announcement is pending next week for an assistance package for crop farmers. The National Association of Wheat Growers has a new CEO and California now approves E-15 blended gasoline.

Legislation failed again today to end the government shutdown. President Trump says he'll use tariff revenue to support farmers. Congressional leaders are working to amend policy to see funds are available for farm income support.

The USDA's Grain Stocks report showed a greater September 1 stocks estimate of corn and wheat than traders expected.  Market watchers are looking ahead to the October WASDE report for updated production forecasts. That report and other government data hangs in the balance of a government shutdown. Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden says U.S. commodity price woes reach far beyond a single country.

The political divide between Congressional Democrats and the White House remains as neither side appears to have offered to compromise over a Continuing Resolution to keep the government running. Traders expect the USDA's Quarterly Grain Stocks report tomorrow to show ample supplies of corn, wheat and soybeans.

NCGA President Kenneth Hartman says the association is pleased with the announcement that the USDA and DOJ will be looking closer into increased input costs crop farmers are facing. Soybean growers are assisting The Anderson's expansion at the Port of Houston.

The Annual Agriculture Outlook Forum presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse featured some of the nation's top agriculture leaders including U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.

A recent survey by the National Corn Growers Association suggests high prices may see corn farmers cutting back on fertilizer use in the coming season. American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland is frustrated the U.S. is offering financial assistance to Argentina at the same time the country is cutting commodity export taxes and displacing traditional U.S. sales to China.

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley today addressed the budget impasse approaching the end of the fiscal year, the disparity in farm income between crop and livestock farmers and the continued lack of soybean export sales to China.

The USDA reports New World Screwworm has been detected in an 8-month old cow just 70 miles south of the U.S. border.  The USDA continues a ban on Mexican cattle imports and vows to work to protect the domestic beef herd. The USDA's latest forecast suggests record returns for livestock producers and a continued decline in crop farm receipts.

China's absence from the purchase of new crop soybeans and other commodities has been well documented. Terrain's Dr. John Newton says there's still time to reverse the trend. Newton is featured on this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.