Policy Updates
Pro Farmer’s latest updates on agricultural policy news, legislative updates, and regulatory enforcement impacting U.S. farmers and agribusinesses.
This afternoon, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman released a draft that aims to strengthen farm safety-net programs and rural development initiatives while avoiding the most controversial ag policy issues.
The Trump administration announced a temporary reduction in tariffs on several categories of agricultural and industrial equipment, lowering the rate from 25% to 15% through the end of 2027.
The proposed “Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act” would require major meatpackers to focus on a single protein sector — beef, pork, or poultry — rather than operating across multiple meat categories, with the goal to lower producer and consumer prices.
The White House announced China agreed to significantly increase purchases of U.S. agricultural products, to at least $17 billion, under a new trade arrangement.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed its latest version of the farm bill, removing a provision relating to ethanol, in a 224–200 vote after a long and contentious debate, sending the legislation to the Senate.
The USDA has now distributed nearly $9.6 billion in Farmer Bridge Assistance payments to crop producers, as weak commodity prices and high input costs continue to squeeze farm margins
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying scrutiny across agricultural markets as rising food prices and input costs put pressure on both consumers and producers
U.S. agricultural exporters are applauding a federal appeals court decision that reinforces the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to regulate ocean shipping practices.
As federal regulators dig deeper into why fertilizer prices have remained elevated, farmers are asked to submit input. The request is part of a broader investigation alongside the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission into potential anti-competitive behavior in the fertilizer industry.
A temporary two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which includes a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, has eased some immediate panic in global fertilizer markets—but it is unlikely to meaningfully improve supply conditions in the near term
In the lawsuit filed in 2022, U.S. farmers alleged the company restricted access to equipment repairs and drove up service costs. The settlement fund will compensate farmers who paid for repairs through Deere and Company (John Deere) dealers on large agricultural equipment dating back to 2018, though the agreement still requires court approval.
The president’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal calls for a significant reduction in U.S. Department of Agriculture spending, cutting roughly $4.9 billion—about 19%—from current discretionary funding levels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and 2027, setting biofuel blending requirements at record levels — higher than initially proposed — and reallocating 70% of waived gallons back into the system.
China is increasingly rejecting imported agricultural shipments at its borders, signaling a shift toward using regulatory enforcement as a trade lever—especially amid rising geopolitical tensions.
About 3,800 workers at a JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, launched a strike yesterday that union leaders say is the first U.S. meatpacking walkout in roughly 40 years.
China is rapidly expanding its economic relationship with African countries while U.S. engagement remains uncertain, raising questions about future export markets for American agriculture.
In a 34-17 vote, the House Agriculture Committee has approved a new Farm Bill proposal, advancing the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 after a lengthy markup session.
As an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is spreading in Pennsylvania, industry experts worry that egg prices may climb again after falling sharply over the past year.
Escalating war in the Middle East is raising concerns about a potential spike in fertilizer prices, adding new uncertainty for farmers preparing for the upcoming growing season.
President Trump has implemented a temporary 10% global tariff on imports in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling, but several agricultural goods are off the tariff list.