The Senate Agriculture Committee has released a draft of the farm bill, which updates farm programs, conservation credits, and rural development. The bill builds on last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, focusing on commodity reference prices and nutrition policies, which constitute 85% of the bill's spending

Owen Wagner from Rabobank notes that the energy market's volatility, particularly the drop in oil prices from $120 to below $80, significantly impacts agricultural commodity prices.

The value of premium crops, such as white corn, non-GMO, and organic varieties, which offer farmers higher prices compared to standard yellow corn and soybeans.

R-CALF USA, led by CEO Bill Bullard, is advocating for specific measures in the farm bill currently under Senate review. Key points include the need to revise a cattle procurement tool that allows meat packers to manipulate prices through unpriced formula contracts, which removes cattle from competitive price discovery markets

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is concerned about a policy rider attached to legislation that could undermine the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins visited the Texas ranch that had the first case of NWS in an animal since 1966.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is advocating for changes to improve livestock hauling. Director of Government Affairs Zoe Wallace highlighted issues with current regulations

In a letter recently sent to the US Senate, the National Farmers Union highlights significant challenges in the farm economy, such as high input costs, low commodity prices, market volatility, trade uncertainties, and rising farm exits and bankruptcies.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting applications for the Conservation Innovation Grant Program (CIG). Priority areas include irrigation management, nutrient management, grazing lands, soil health, water quality, water quantity, habitat improvement, and pest management. The deadline for applications is July 27.

The Iran conflict is escalating, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserting control and showing no signs of negotiating soon, which could have severe repercussions for the global economy and agriculture.