May 29, 2025

Update on the Fight Against New World Screwworm

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins provided an update on the USDA’s ongoing partnership with Mexico to combat the New World Screwworm. Rollins held a call with her Mexican counterpart and discussed the ongoing threat of NWS and actions being taken by both countries to contain the threat south of the U.S. border. Rollins said the USDA is investing $21 million to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Mexico. This facility will produce 60-100 million additional sterile screwworm flies weekly to push the population further south in Mexico. “The investment I’m announcing is one of the many efforts my team is making around the clock to protect our animals, our farm economy, and the security of our nation’s food supply,” Rollins said. “We’re continuing to work closely with Mexico to push screwworm away from the U.S. and out of Mexico.” Current U.S. restrictions on live animal imports from Mexico remain in place. 

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Taiwan to Buy 32 Percent More U.S. Goods

The President of Taiwan pledged to buy more American goods, including natural gas and oil, as the self-governing island looks for closer relations with the U.S. The country, a self-governing island, seeks closer ties with the U.S. while the administration threatens to implement a 32 percent tariff. Other purchases from the U.S. could include weapons and agricultural goods. Taiwan says its goal is to create more balanced bilateral trade with the U.S. and also boost its energy autonomy and resilience. Representative Bruce Westerman is chair of the House Natural Resources Committee and told Taiwanese officials that the U.S. produces a lot of food and fiber and is always looking for more friends to share that with. But the AP says America buys far more from Taiwan and had a trade deficit of $116.3 billion in 2024. The 32 percent tariff is on hold except for a ten percent baseline duty. 

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Trade Uncertainty Affecting Corn, Soybean Prices

Uncertainty about the direction of international trade policy is clouding the outlook for grain elevators and merchandisers. The lack of clarity surrounding tariffs with key U.S. trading partners like China has pulled new-crop sales well below historical averages. A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange says the longer the uncertainty continues to drag on sales of new-crop exports, export-dependent grain elevators, and merchandisers risk entering the 2025-2026 marketing year with greater reliance on local demand that may be scarce in some regions. “Elevators and grain merchandisers with exposure to high-risk export markets, especially China, may have to widen the new-crop basis to attract local demand,” said Tanner Ehmke, grains and oilseeds economist for CoBank. As of May 1, U.S. new-crop export sales were well below their five-year averages, with soybeans falling 88.2 percent and corn dropping 26.9 percent. China is conspicuously absent, with no purchases of U.S. soybeans, corn, or wheat.

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Intense Heat Wave This Week in the Western U.S. 

A strong dome of high pressure will send Western U.S. temperatures surging to record-challenging or record-shattering territory Thursday through Saturday. “This will be the first heat wave of the season in the West that’s outside southern California,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Heather Zehr. Strong high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere will bring plenty of warmth.” She also says a general offshore flow, where the wind travels from the land to the water, will enhance the heat. “This prevents any cooling by the lower ocean water temperatures along the coast,” she added. The most intense heat will be centered across interior California, Nevada, and western Utah. AccuWeather is forecasting a record of 107 degrees in Redding, California, and another high of 103 degrees in Sacramento, California. The high will hit 107 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday. Zehr says the feels-like temperatures could skyrocket to 110 degrees or higher. 

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Microsoft and FFA Partner to Teach Students About Precision Ag

Microsoft and the National FFA Organization announced the national expansion of FarmBeats for Students, a cutting-edge educational program. It integrates smart sensors, data science, and artificial intelligence to teach precision agriculture in classrooms. Starting this week, FFA teachers and students throughout the U.S., including FFA chapters in 185 middle and high schools, will receive a classroom set of FarmBeats for Students kits free of charge. The kits include ready-to-use sensor systems along with a curriculum for teachers and are designed for classrooms of all kinds. No prior technical experience is required. Using the FarmBeats for Students kits and free curriculum, students build environmental sensor systems and use AI to monitor soil moisture and detect nutritional deficiencies, allowing them to understand what’s happening with their plants and make data-driven decisions in real-time. National FFA says supporting agricultural education and leadership development is critical for shaping the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. 

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Culvers Giving Farmers Free Custard in June

June is National Dairy Month, and Culver’s is celebrating the nation’s hardworking dairy farmers in a way only the small-town Wisconsin-born brand can: by giving farmers free Fresh Frozen Custard. Throughout the month, Culver’s will offer dairy farmers a free scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard with their online order. Farmers redeeming the offer can use the code “DAIRYGOOD” at checkout to get their free scoop. Culver’s has long had a heart for agriculture as a part of its “Thank You Farmers Project,” a guest-fueled initiative that supports local agricultural efforts along with national organizations working to advance the industry on a broader scale, such as the National FFA Organization and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action. The brand is proud to shine a special spotlight on dairy farmers through June as it encourages guests and Americans everywhere to show appreciation for the farmers feeding our population by enjoying dairy foods in June.

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