March 3, 2025

Ag Leaders Speak Out on 2,4-D

Farmers would suffer if the U.S. government granted a petition to place anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D. The president of the National Corn Growers Association testified about that before the International Trade Commission. “First, 2,4-D is a growth regulator that targets broadleaf weeds that cause significant harm to corn and has minimal effect on grasses,” said NCGA President Ken Hartman, Jr. “This makes it useful for corn, which is a grass, because it kills the weeds but not the corn plants.” The American Soybean Association points out that because dicamba is no longer available as a key herbicide for soybeans, which means their farmers need a reliable supply of herbicides like 2,4-D now more than ever. “New import duties on 2,4-D would make things even harder, further disrupting our access to reliable herbicide tools in our toolboxes,” says ASA President and Kentucky farmer Caleb Ragland. 
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Dairy Group Celebrates Support for Whole Milk Act

The National Milk Producers Federation celebrated strong bipartisan Senate support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act as senators began considering this crucial legislation. In a Senate Ag Committee hearing to review the measure, committee members and panelists highlighted the role this bill could have in increasing student milk consumption and nutrition access while also potentially decreasing waste. “We know that Americans are under-consuming dairy products, and as we heard today, students have said they want the milk they’re familiar with and find satisfying,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “For many students, that’s whole milk.” The federation commends Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Peter Welch (D-VT) for advocating for the nation’s students to have more access to nutrient-rich dairy by allowing schools to offer whole milk with school meals. The House of Representatives is considering similar legislation led by House Ag Chair GT Thompson and Kim Schreier (D-WA). 
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Sheep Farmers Descend on Capitol Hill

The American Sheep Industry Association conducted its annual Spring Trip to Washington, D.C., with approximately 50 sheep producers from all over the U.S. The group made the yearly trip to advocate for the industry’s priorities. Attendees met with key officials from the USDA, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to discuss many of the critical issues facing American sheep producers. Conversations centered around near-term tariff and trade announcements from the White House, the importance of risk management for sheep producers in passing a new farm bill, and the sheep-specific requests for changes to the H-2A Program. Following the agency meetings, attendees visited individually with members of their respective state congressional delegations, focusing many of those conversations on most of the same issues, as well as animal health, the important role the Wildlife Service plays for producers, and the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station. 
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Wheat Growers CEO Steps Down

The National Association of Wheat Growers announced that CEO Chandler Goule will be stepping down from his position in July 2025. “The past nine years I’ve been with the Wheat Growers have been incredibly rewarding,” Goule said. “I’m confident that the Association is in a stronger position today than it was when I first started with the organization.” He also said one of his proudest accomplishments was winning the Prop 65 case against the state of California, ensuring facts and science guided the outcome. “I encourage all wheat farmers to stay actively engaged with the Association because your participation amplifies your voice and strengthens our industry,” he added. “As for me, I won’t be going far – where that leads is still to be determined.” NAWG President Pat Clements says they are “deeply grateful” for Goule’s nine years of dedicated service. “His leadership has been instrumental in our many successes,” Clements added.
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Oil and Biofuel Coalition Meets with EPA

A coalition of U.S. oil and biofuel groups met with the Environmental Protection Agency this week to push for higher federal mandates for biomass diesel blending. Three sources familiar with the plans told Reuters that the EPA meeting may signal that the agency is getting closer to releasing fresh biofuel blending quotas for the Renewable Fuel Standard. The forthcoming proposal is predicted to cover two years’ worth of mandates. Two sources familiar with the matter say the EPA could release the proposal as early as this month. Big Oil and the Farm Belt’s biofuel makers haven’t worked well together in the past. The two sides are traditionally competitors in the multi-billion-dollar U.S. fuel market. A document viewed by Reuters shows the coalition pushed for biomass diesel blending mandates of 5.5 billion to 5.75 billion gallons. The current level is 3.35 billion gallons, which the industry says is far below production capacity. 
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Adjuvants Market Predicted to Grow 14 Percent by 2032

The agricultural adjuvant market will grow by 14 percent from 2024 to 2032. The growth is attributed to the increasing need for effective crop protection solutions. With the growing global population and subsequent demand for food, the agricultural sector is under pressure to maximize crop yields. According to the United Nations, the world population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, which means food production will need to grow by 70 percent to keep up. Agricultural adjuvants, which enhance the effectiveness of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, play a crucial role in improving crop protection and minimizing environmental impact. The rising awareness of sustainable farming practices further drives the adoption of these products, which will support market expansion. Europe will drive significant gains in the agricultural adjuvants market between 2024 and 2032, supported by the region’s advanced agricultural practices, stringent regulations promoting sustainable farming, and its growing need for increasing food production.

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