June 04, 2025

Farmers Set to Lose Billions Without Tax Cut Extension

If Congress doesn’t extend current tax provisions, America’s farmers and ranchers will be forced to pay up to $9 billion more in federal taxes every year. Tax relief enacted by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to expire at the end of this year, which would lead to tax increases for almost two-thirds of families, including those in rural America. “The size of a federal tax bill can make or break farm profitability, particularly for small farms on the brink of breaking even,” said an American Farm Bureau Market Intel Report. “Each dollar that comes out of a farm family’s bank account to pay taxes is one less they can spend on improving their operations, one less to hire another worker, and one less they can put toward growing food, fiber, and fuel.” The average American farm would pay an additional $5,125 per year in taxes.

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USDA Leading Trade Mission to Peru in June

The USDA will lead a high-impact trade mission to Peru from June 9-12 aimed at expanding market access and boosting U.S. agricultural exports to help address a $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. The delegation includes more than 50 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and representatives from five state departments of agriculture working to strengthen economic ties. “USDA is committed to enhancing export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses,” says Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, who will lead the trade mission. Peru is the fourth-largest market for American agricultural exports in South America, and the U.S. is Peru’s second-largest agricultural supplier. Despite bilateral agricultural trade growing by 263 percent to $5.3 billion since 2009, the $3.66 billion agricultural trade deficit persists. The mission aims to build on this growth, bridge the gap, and increase U.S. exports. Trade mission participants will engage in business-to-business meetings with buyers from Peru and Ecuador.

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Iowa and Vietnam Delegation Sign MOUs

Iowa welcomed over 50 members of a Vietnamese delegation to the Iowa State Capitol for the signing of five memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between the Vietnamese feed industry and private U.S. companies. The focus of the signing is increasing the trade of U.S. grains, including corn. Two MOUs signed were specific to corn and DDGS, equaling 900,000 metric tons of U.S. corn and 250,000 metric tons of DDGS. “Vietnam is a strategic trading partner with the United States and is a top importer of DDGS,” said Iowa Corn Board President Ralph Lents. “This event showcased an increased commitment from Vietnam to purchase more agricultural products and reinforce the strong partnership between our countries.” The Vietnamese government is also considering the expansion of its ethanol mandate from E5 to E10 for all grades of gasoline. That would mean an additional 200 million gallons of new ethanol demand potential for U.S. producers and exporters. 

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FFA Members Attend the Washington Leadership Conference

Thousands of FFA members from across the U.S. will be in Washington, D.C., June 3-July 11. The Washington Leadership Conference offers five week-long blocks that students can choose from. The premier leadership experience for more than 1,600 high school students exposes them to the rich history of the nation’s capital. WLC, which has been taking place for more than 50 years, inspires FFA members to become changemakers in their communities. A key aspect of the conference is for the students to learn how to advocate for agriculture and agricultural education, and this is accomplished through congressional visits and meeting in person with their state representatives and senators. Each day of the conference focuses on a different principle taught in the context of the nation’s capital, including exploration, encouragement, advocacy, and service. At the end of the week, attendees leave with a Living to Serve plan they can implement in their communities. 

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USDA Dairy Gets Greater Access to Costa Rica

America’s dairy farmers will have greater market access to Costa Rica, which approved the first U.S. dairy facility to be registered under their new streamlined approval process. “Securing greater market access for American dairy farmers is a much-needed win for the U.S. dairy industry and will give U.S. producers better-increased access to the $130 million market in Costa Rica,” said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. “I look forward to breaking down trade barriers and opening new markets for our farmers and ranchers around the globe.” On May 22, Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service officially approved the first American dairy cooperative to export to Costa Rica, making it the first U.S. dairy facility to be registered under the new streamlined process that eases market access for U.S. dairy exports to Costa Rica. It’s a $60 million market that could have been lost if the U.S. administration was unable to navigate the new approval process. 

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Purdue Researchers Develop a New Avian Influenza Test

Purdue University researchers have developed an innovative, paper-based diagnostic test for rapidly detecting avian influenza. The novel test addresses the urgent need for an efficient and cost-effective surveillance tool to combat the global threat posed by avian influenza viruses. The test is suitable for use in field settings, including areas with limited access to advanced laboratory facilities. A key advantage of the test is its potential use across a variety of species. It works by using an oral or nasal swab and then transferring the sample to paper-based devices. The test should work across different livestock species like poultry and dairy animals, wildlife like birds and rodents, and even humans. The role of avian flu is contributing to the higher cost of eggs due to the falling levels of supplies in the country. Other factors add to the costs, including rigorous and expensive protection measures for enhanced sanitation on farms. 

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