Policy Update
The latest U.S. jobs report, released this morning, shows the economy added just 22,000 jobs in August, far below expectations, while unemployment rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2021.
Yesterday, the USDA released a report lowering its 2025 farm income outlook, citing weaker crop revenues that outweigh gains for cattle producers.
U.S. trade officials are questioning whether Brazil is doing enough to curb illegal deforestation as they pursue a Section 301 investigation that could lead to new tariffs.
Lawmakers, facing a looming government shutdown, are running short on time to pass a Farm Bill before the end of the year.
A federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Trump improperly used emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs.
USDA’s latest outlook, released yesterday, projects the U.S. ag trade deficit at $47 billion in FY25, narrowing slightly from earlier estimates, and falling to $41.5 billion in FY26.
Yesterday, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden told farmers at the Farm Progress Show that the Department is considering a short-term “bridge” policy to support crop producers struggling with low prices until new safety-net provisions take effect in 2026.
Federal officials confirmed the case on August 4 but did not release information publicly until Reuters broke the news yesterday.
Early this morning, U.S. health officials confirmed the nation’s first human case of screwworm in decades. Cattle producers are watching closely.
Yesterday, officials shared details confirming Europe will lower barriers on a wide range of American farm products.