July 18, 2025
No Crackdown on Pesticide Use
The Trump administration says there won’t be a crackdown on pesticide use in the U.S. Politico says that’s despite a report from the Make America Healthy Again Committee that called crop protection products dangerous to people’s health. During a recent policy roundtable in Washington, D.C., seven out of the ten speakers mentioned how important pesticides and fertilizers are in modern agricultural production systems. Agriculture industry lobbyists have been pushing back against the Make America Healthy Again Committee report, which linked pesticides to cancer and other diseases. A White House official, speaking anonymously to Politico, says a plan for acting on that report is due in August and won’t include new policies on pesticide use. The promise may signal the White House is eager to smooth out trouble spots with farmers and farm groups that have typically supported the administration but felt alienated by plans to overhaul the nation’s food supply.
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Corn Growers Want MAHA Intervention
The National Corn Growers Association sent a letter to the White House asking President Trump to intervene as the Make America Healthy Again Commission prepares to release policy recommendations that question the safety of pesticides that have already been approved by the EPA. “Our alarm stems from the initial assessment, which raised pesticide safety questions that have already been answered repeatedly over the decades by research and regulatory agencies,” the letter said. “If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices for consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public.” The letter says if the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop yields could decrease by more than 70 percent due to pests, weeds, and disease. Every pesticide approved for use must submit dozens, if not hundreds, of test results for EPA review.
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Julie Callahan Nominated for Chief Ag Negotiator Position
Julie Callahan, the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, is President Trump’s nominee for the role of Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Callahan has been with the agency since 2016, serving as senior director for agricultural affairs before being promoted to the deputy USTR position in 2020. The President has now nominated people to serve in all USTR deputy roles. The U.S. Grains Council appreciates the President for working quickly to nominate the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for this critical job. “The U.S. Grains Council and I, personally, have worked with Julie for many years, and I know, once she’s approved, she will have the producers and agribusinesses top of mind as she conducts her work with trading partners around the world,” said Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. Among her previous work experiences, Callahan held senior leadership with the Food and Drug Administration.
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Farmers Union Testifies on Credit and Risk Management
Montana Farmers Union member John Wicks testified before the House Ag Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit. His testimony detailed the importance of credit and risk management for family farmers. “While access to affordable and reliable credit and well-functioning risk management tools are important for family farmers, we must have fair and competitive markets and a robust farm safety net,” Wicks said during his testimony. “Recent changes to improve the farm safety net may help alleviate some challenges with persistently high input costs and low commodity prices, but farmers still face major economic stress as long as corporate monopolies in agriculture remain unchecked, as they are today.” Wicks made recommendations to improve the Farm Service Agency’s loan program, including increasing loan limits to reflect the current economic environment, making it more feasible to restructure debt, and ensuring the programs meet the unique needs of all producers.
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U.S. Dairy Biogas Systems Have Doubled Since 2020
Coming off June Dairy Month, the American Biogas Council released new data on the continued growth of dairy-based biogas systems in the U.S. According to the Council, the number of operational dairy biogas systems has more than doubled since 2020, with more than $53 billion invested in renewable energy and methane capture infrastructure. As of June 2025, 471 dairy biogas systems are in operation. Collectively, they capture over 144,000 cubic feet per minute of biogas. That total is the equivalent of powering approximately 615,000 homes annually. While the systems reduce methane emissions and create renewable energy, they also recycle the manure from about 2.3 million cows, producing natural fertilizer and animal bedding while reducing odors. That’s about 15 billion gallons of manure put to beneficial use every year. They also eliminate almost one million tons of methane emissions each year. Also, an estimated 2,980 additional dairies are still eligible for biogas development.
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Summer Lambventures Grill-Off Returns for 2025
The American Lamb Board has officially announced the return of the popular campaign called the Summer Lambventures Grill-Off for 2025. This year’s initiative aims to enhance consumer engagement by introducing a competitive twist that features both amateur and professional hosts. The campaign ran from May 19 to July 6, and a public voting period continues on until August 29, 2025. Nine amateur hosts from three distinct lifestyle categories, including Patio Party Planners, Fit Foodies, and Outdoor Adventurers, will organize grilling parties centered around American Lamb. The public will have an opportunity to vote for both their favorite Pro and Amateur Host parties. The campaign is intended to solidify American Lamb’s position as the go-to protein for summer gatherings in 2025. “Building on the success of last year, the Lambventures Grill-Off is set to be an epic event that will help ALB reach several strategic goals,” said ALB Chair Jeff Ebert.
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