Ag Policy Blog

USDA forecasts direct farm payments will rise to $47.4 billion in 2026 as net farm income declines, while Trump proposes a $5,000 dividend for adult Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress.

The United States is moving to ban selected Canadian imports, including liquor, fermented beverages and whey, after Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods amid stalled trade negotiations.

A federal judge rejected unions' effort to halt USDA's reorganization, prompting them to file a separate lawsuit focused on the agency.

Richard Fordyce, USDA undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, spoke about ARC, PLC and CRP payments in an interview with DTN at the Farm Progress Show. Fordyce said the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has sufficient funds available for both ARC-PLC payments...

As USDA accelerates its reorganization, it is advancing changes that could be difficult to reverse despite a pending court challenge, while farmers largely support the effort or are willing to wait and see its impacts.

Minnesota and Wisconsin primaries reshaped key 2026 races, including the loss of Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and a competitive House rematch involving Rep. Derrick Van Orden.

If farmers want a farm bill, year-round E15, better USDA credit terms, mandatory country-of-origin labeling or other priorities, they may have to fight for SNAP, too.

Six Republican senators and 12 GOP House members wrote to the secretaries of the departments of Homeland Security, Labor and State urging administrative actions to deal with growing problems with the H-2A visa program used by farmers around the country.

Four House Republicans have withdrawn or pledged to withdraw support for the Securing America's Workforce Act as conservative opposition over its immigration provisions threatens the agricultural labor bill's momentum.

The U.S. Trade Representative is pursuing separate agreements with Canada and Mexico while broader USMCA negotiations remain uncertain.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency supports restoring the prevented-plant buy-up option under federal crop insurance.

House Republicans approved a budget blueprint authorizing up to $12 billion in farm aid, sending spending instructions to the House Agriculture Committee as the measure heads toward a House floor vote next week.

Senate Republicans and Democrats are negotiating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cost-sharing changes while aiming for a farm bill markup before August recess.

White House officials and House GOP leaders backed away from a proposed $20 billion farm aid package Tuesday evening, returning to President Donald Trump's original $11.1 billion supplemental request.

House Republicans might advance a budget reconciliation plan that could provide an increased $20 billion in farm aid in reconciliation 3.0.

Longtime South Carolina Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died Sunday

USDA finalized remaining OBBB farm safety-net changes, expanding livestock disaster assistance, increasing predator loss payments and updating cotton, sugar and specialty crop programs.

USDA accepted more than 2.2 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program for fiscal year 2026 after producers offered nearly 2.5 million acres.

USDA is providing $500 million to independent beef processors to boost competition and offset rising cattle procurement costs amid historically tight supplies.

Jake Zajkowski joins the DTN/Progressive Farmer in Washington, D.C., writing in the Ag Policy Blog about the diverse opinions and coalitions shaping farm policy across farm country.