Growing scrutiny of the meatpacking industry and rising Brazilian beef imports are fueling a new debate over competition and U.S. food security. USDA trade data said Brazilian beef exports to the U.S. reached $795 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 21 percent from last year. At the same time, total U.S. beef impo...

Fertilizer prices have climbed sharply following the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, raising concerns about higher production costs for U.S. farmers in the years ahead. Analysts say nitrogen fertilizers have seen the largest increases due to disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global...

March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. While March beef exports were below last year - largely due to the ongoing lockout by China - the value of beef variety meat shipments ...

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, ensuring a broader variety of nutritious food is available to SNAP participants at authorized retailers across the country. Since the beginning of...

Luke McCrea of Faribault, Minnesota, is the recipient of the 2026-2027 Soy Scholarship, sponsored by the American Soybean Association and BASF. The ASA/BASF Soy Scholarship is a $7,000 award presented to an exceptional high school senior who excels in both academic and leadership roles and plans to pursue a degree in a...

The 24th annual North Dakota Stockmen's Association Feedlot Tour will be held June 16 and feature two stops near Drake, N.D. The feedlots, operated by Rodney Schatz and Andrew Bromley, both include backgrounding operations and practical facility designs that support cattle management, environmental stewardship and effi...

U.S. soybean farmers are warning that new trade actions could worsen already difficult economic conditions. That's according to testimony from the American Soybean Association before federal trade officials. ASA Vice President Dave Walton told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that exports remain critical to ...

The Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft Fungicide Strategy and is seeking public input as part of a 60-day comment period, aiming to balance environmental protection with the needs of U.S. agriculture. The proposal outlines a science-based framework to protect more than 1,000 endangered and threatened ...

Farm banks remained a cornerstone of the rural economy in 2025, providing critical financing to farmers, ranchers, and small agricultural operations across the country. According to the American Bankers Association, banks held nearly $212 billion in farm loans, accounting for more than one-third of all agricultural cre...

A coalition of 83 organizations is urging federal regulators to take emergency action on nitrate contamination in drinking water, citing growing health concerns tied to agricultural runoff. The groups sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency, calling for stron...

Sioux Falls, SD - The American Coalition for Ethanol announced registration is open for its 39th annual conference, taking place August 19-21, 2026, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year's theme, "Fueling Freedom," builds on America's 250th anniversary celebration in 202...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 6, 2026- New Census Bureau data released today provides the first look at the cost of the Trump administration's strategy to replace the IEEPA tariffs the Supreme Court struck down. Based on the new data, American businesses paid approximately $8 billion in Section 122 tariffs in March 2026, the ...

The North Dakota Stockmen's Association is now accepting entries for the 2026 North Dakota Junior Beef Expo, a multi-breed junior beef field day. It will be held June 27-28 at the McKenzie County Ag Expo in Watford City, N.D. The NDJBE will feature breeding heifer and market shows, showmanship contests and networking o...

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into the nation's beef processing industry, raising concerns about market concentration and its impact on cattle producers. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials are examining whether consolidation among major meatpackers has contribut...

The National Corn Growers Association is expanding its long-running Yield Contest with a new pilot category aimed at short-season corn growers, offering more producers a chance to compete nationally. The new class, launching for the 2026 contest, allows farmers to enter hybrids with relative maturity of 99 days or fewe...

OMAHA, Neb. May 5, 2026- As the U.S. beef industry recognizes Beef Month this May, Farm Credit Services of America joins in recognizing beef producers for their essential role in feeding families, strengthening rural communities, and sustaining a safe, reliable food supply for the nation. At the same time, producers ar...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency is upgrading the source for rainfall data used in several Federal crop insurance programs, moving from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center to the National Centers for Environmental Information. RMA will begin this tr...

The North Dakota Stockmen's Association will be bringing its 2026 Spring Roundup series, "The Story Continues," to Hannaford, Woodworth, Napoleon, Carson, Belfield and Berthold, N.D., in June. The Spring Roundups serve as the organization's district meetings and will include socials, suppers, informational sp...

Ducks Unlimited will begin conducting regenerative agriculture verification under the Regenified standard as part of a new partnership announced today. Through the collaboration, DU, an internationally respected conservation organization with deep experience in working landscapes, wetlands, water, waterfowl, and wildli...

BISMARCK, N.D. (MAY 4, 2026) - Gov. Kelly Armstrong today signed an executive order declaring an emergency and granting a waiver of hours of service for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting agricultural inputs including dry and liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and seed. Severe supply issues resul...