Crops

Farm income is getting a government-funded seatbelt in 2026. The headline: USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts net farm income at $153.4B in 2026, down slightly from 2025. Direct government payments are expected to hit $44.3B, up $13.8B from 2025. That is not exactly pennies in the couch cushions. The cushion: Increased federal payments and a strong cattle sector should keep farm earnings relatively stable despite no expected improvement in crop revenue. Translation: b

USDA has rolled out the Great American Cotton Plan, a policy wardrobe change aimed at strengthening cotton farms, restoring domestic textile manufacturing, expanding trade opportunities and nudging demand toward American-grown cotton. Somewhere, a bale just asked whether this comes in “farm economy chic.” Thread count: The cotton plan frames the crop as a rural economic engine and ties the plan to “Plant Not Plastic,” Buy American cotton goals and export finance. Every $1 at

The USDA is opening enrollment for a $1.625B Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers program, which is $625M more than the earlier $1B expectation. That is not exactly “money growing on trees,” but for fruit, vegetable and nut growers, it is at least money growing near trees. The wrinkle: Payments will be tiered from $25 to $650 per acre, based on eligible crop categories, with online enrollment starting June 1, Farm Service Agency office applications beginning June 8 and the

Sugar-producing countries are getting too sweet a deal from the U.S., according to more than 100 lawmakers who are urging the Trump administration to take a closer look at trade practices. Backstory: Tariff-rate quotas are the main mechanism for controlling sugar imports into the U.S. In recent years, U.S. sugar prices have surged. So, importers can make the math work on importing out-of-quota sugar, which sours the protection for U.S. sugar producers. By the numbers: Over

Hawaii floods? No mahalo. Maybe too many rainbows: Back in March, rain hit paradise. A lot of rain. Farms are struggling after some areas in Hawaii received more than 60 inches of rain in less than two weeks. This is locally known as a “Kona low” in Hawaii. The governor says it’s the worst flooding since 2004. Farms fight upstream: Hawaii Farm Bureau says there’s nearly $50M in damages to 2K farms, including to crops, livestock, and machinery. Many of the farms in Hawaii are

It may not always be top of mind, but exporting corn and soybeans via beef and pork is an ace in the hole for American ag. A new study by the Juday Group shows red meat exports bring home the bacon for corn and soybean farmers. Beef and pork exports = demand for corn and soybeans for feed = a win-win for farmers. By the 2025 numbers: Corn producers saw $2.18B in market value from red meat exports Soybean farmers saw $1B Red meat exports led to usage of 500M bushels of co

Two nationally important seed banks could be relocated under USDA’s proposed 2027 budget. Seedling HQ: The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility in Urbana, Illinois, is an agricultural research hub that supports innovation in crop yields, plant genetics, and disease resistance. The live archive: Located at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the facility connects the genetic heritage of corn and soy with researchers across the world. Frozen in time: Seeds

Corn growers and the ethanol industry cleared a major milestone. Win turns to clash: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow for year-round sales of E15. The bill would allow voluntary sales—not a mandate—of gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol. Biofuel and farm groups applauded lawmakers for passing the bill. But not all ag groups are celebrating. Controversy emerged last week after the American Soybean Association was quoted by Agri-Pulse saying

It may be the “end of the road” for Roundup in the U.S. The rundown: After years of litigation, Bayer’s CEO warned the company may stop making the weedkiller. And it may come sooner than you think. For years, glyphosate has been at the root of legal battles linked to users developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer found in the lymphatic system.

Ready, set, grow: It’s no secret that farmers and plant fanatics must keep a close eye on their jolly green friends to keep them healthy. But oftentimes, plant SOS signals appear when it’s too late to help them. Now, researchers have developed patch-style sensors to detect plants’ stress levels before they wilt or wither.

“It smells like money!” If you grew up in agriculture, we don’t have to explain this timeless phrase to you.   But “it smells like PFAS” is probably a new one for you.   ICYMI: Sewage sludge (yes, we’re talking about human sewage sludge) has been used as a fertilizer in various parts of the nation for more than 20 years.

Researchers just ID’d potential protection against the most common virus in agriculture and horticulture. More than just cukes: Despite the name, cucumber mosaic virus is a bad deal for more than 1,200 plant species. It arrives via aphid, creates a mosaic pattern on the plant’s leaves, and leaves the rest of the plant to suffer.

If we asked a Magic 8 Ball about glyphosate and other farm chemicals, the response would probably be something like “Future is hazy, try again.” Between litigation trying to ban glyphosate, one of the most popular herbicides in the nation, and RFK Jr. (a staunch opponent of glyphosate and other chemicals) sitting on Trump’s team, it’s no wonder the future is a bit murky for these crop protection methods. But a new bill in Tennessee is trying to change all that.

Happy (belated) National Ag Day: here’s $10B. On Tuesday, USDA announced the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for farmers with a $10B price tag. MUSTAAAAAAARD: The economic assistance is for growers of row crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, and more. The payment rates per acre depend on the crop but range from $84.74 for upland cotton to $11.36 for mustard.

China is on a mission… that is years in the making. The country is working on reducing its reliance on grain and feed imports. And it...

Scientists have uncovered the genes that decide how big tomatoes and eggplants will grow. Armed with this new research out of Johns...

Pest-resistant corn varieties may have reached their expiration date. The rundown: Bt corn, notable for fighting rootworm infestations...

Watch out traditional fertilizers…there’s a new fertilizer on the scene, and it’s made of . Shattered glass: Researchers reported in ...

Insecticides have been a linchpin of crop production for hundreds of years. But nothing lasts forever, and insects have mutated over...

Growing more with less is the name of the game for crop production. And the game is heating up as companies race to introduce more hybrid...