Agriculture News
In a candid conversation with Farm Journal, USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden says USDA’s message to fertilizer companies is simple: “Be part of the solution, don’t be part of the problem.”
With wheat barely a foot tall, the flag leaf is already emerging—a sign the crop is rushing to reproduce under stress, leaving too little structure to support a harvest. Less than 10% may be harvested in West Texas.
Milder improvements were also noted in the southern U.S.
Survey of land professionals finds more the 60% expect lower values in 2026.
Partial relief expected for the Plains next week
USDA’s March 2026 Prospective Plantings report produced no major surprises, but the bigger story may be the fact only 37.6% of farmers responded, the lowest participation in history for that survey.
USDA estimates corn acres well above analysts’ average pre-report estimate, while soybean acres were lower. March 1 corn stocks were slightly below expectations, while soybeans were slightly above. Wheat stocks were as expected.
Fertilizer price spikes are clouding spring planting as farmers warn of mounting financial strain, while lawmakers push for greater transparency with recently proposed legislation in both the House and Senate.