Policy Updates
Pro Farmer’s latest updates on agricultural policy news, legislative updates, and regulatory enforcement impacting U.S. farmers and agribusinesses.
The USDA is preparing to unlock more than $3 billion in assistance for American farmers that had been held up due to the shutdown. These funds — drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation — were originally earmarked to help producers affected by plunging crop prices, soaring input costs and export disruptions tied to trade policies.
Amid ongoing trade tensions, China imported zero soybeans from the United States last month, marking the first time since November 2018 that no U.S. shipments arrived.
A vote by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to approve new carbon‐emission standards for oceangoing ships has been pushed back by one year — a move that aligns with President Trump’s strong opposition to binding global shipping climate rules.
In a rare public admission, the department warned that aggressive immigration enforcement — including drastic reductions in the flow of undocumented migrant workers — is already squeezing the farm labor pool and putting pressure on food supply and prices.
A coalition of family farmers and meat companies launched the American Meat Producers Association (AMPA) to defend state animal welfare laws, complicating efforts to include federal preemption in an upcoming farm bill.
With no end in sight, the government shutdown is putting more strain on farmers already squeezed by high input costs and volatile markets.
On Friday, President Trump unveiled plans to levy 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports beginning November 1 and tighten export controls on advanced software.
Thanks to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, vital agricultural reports and export data have been suspended — leaving farmers and markets flying blind during harvest season.
Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bans ultra-processed foods from the public school system, making California the first state to do so.
New international shipping regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions are opening doors for U.S. farmers by increasing demand for bio-based fuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel.
With farm incomes already under pressure from rising input costs and falling crop prices, the impact of losing China as a top customer is hitting especially hard. A new government aid package is expected soon, though details remain uncertain.
The shutdown that began October 1 has forced the USDA to suspend key services, halting farm program payments, disaster aid processing, and new loan applications amid a growing crisis in farm country.
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a new rule updating how the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is set for H-2A agricultural guest workers, which applies to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Released yesterday, Virginia Tech’s 2025 Global Agricultural Productivity Report reveals concerning trends in agricultural productivity, especially in the United States.
For the first time since 2019, the federal government has shutdown, immediately hitting farm operations by halting key USDA payments and services across the country.
In a new memorandum of understanding, the Department’s antitrust division will work with USDA to investigate rising costs of farm inputs such as fertilizer, seed, fuel, and equipment
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced yesterday that the U.S. will provide financial assistance to Argentina in an effort to stabilize its struggling economy, a move that has sparked anger among American soybean farmers who see Argentina as a major rival.
Yesterday, farmers from across the country sent a letter urging USDA to release funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Normally announced in March, this year’s call for proposals wasn’t issued until September 11, leaving host institutions little time to process applications before the fiscal year ends.
China has turned to Argentina for soybean supplies, booking at least 10 large shipments—and possibly more—after Argentina temporarily removed export taxes on grains yesterday.
On Friday, the Trump administration announced cancellation of USDA’s annual Household Food Security Report, which has tracked hunger in the U.S. for decades. The move comes just months after President Trump signed legislation reducing food assistance programs.