John Rich, a country music artist and newly appointed special envoy for American landowners, aims to represent landowners to the federal government, addressing issues with various agencies like the EPA, HUD, and USDA. He is working to reverse regulations imposed by the Biden administration that he believes negatively impact farmers and ranchers, contributing to their inability to be cash flow positive.

The Ag Economy Barometer dropped to 113 in June, with current conditions at 102 and future expectations at 106. Cattle groups oppose the US Trade Representative's potential exemption of Brazilian beef from Section 301 tariffs. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is advocating for ivermectin in livestock feed to combat the New World screwworm spreading in Texas.

The US Wheat Associates is noted for its higher-priced wheat compared to competitors like Australia, Canada, and the Black Sea region. Joe Sowers, regional vice president, explains that the US has invested in breeding technologies to produce superior wheat for domestic use, which translates into better performance in automated production lines

Patrick Sanders, Director of Agronomy Enablement at Nutrien, discusses new sensing technology that allows for efficient field sampling and rapid identification of agronomic gaps.

The United Soybean Board of Directors is making efforts to diversify the use of soybeans.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is looking to expand and diversify its dairy export strategy through Project Diversify, a data-driven initiative that simplifies complex export market information into actionable insights for exporters.

The American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall highlights the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act as a key solution to the farm labor shortage, emphasizing the need for a year-round workforce. The bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, aims to expand the H-2A guest worker program and modernize farm labor systems.

The USMEF reported that Mexico's temporary ban on US pork offal due to pseudo-rabies detection in Iowa has cost exporters $7 million weekly. Restrictions on products from Iowa and Texas, along with new verification rules, have disrupted supply chains.

President Donald Trump has proposed an additional $11 billion in farm assistance funding to help agricultural producers recover from losses due to the Biden administration's regulations. This supplements the $12 billion already distributed this year.

(Photo: from farmprogressshow.com)

The 2026 Farm Progress Show, taking place September 1-3 in Boone, Iowa, will feature a new agronomy zone where exhibiting companies can demonstrate their crop inputs, such as seeds, crop protection, and fertility products, with live-growing crops.