August 4, 2025  

USDA Announces August 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for August 2025, which are effective Aug. 1, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low. To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool at farmers.gov.

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Australia Reopening its Market to U.S. Beef Has Larger Implications

For the first time in more than two decades, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef. Kent Bacus, executive director of government affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says this is a huge win. “There’s been really no scientific justification to keep us out,” said Bacus. “This is just a lot of protection and these regulatory burdens we’ve had to overcome.” Bacus says Australia isn’t likely to be a huge export market for U.S. beef, but it’s really about opportunities in other countries. “The fact is we are going to continue to be very competitive against the Australians in those markets.” While the U.S. hasn’t exported beef to Australia since the trade agreement between the two countries was implemented in 2005, Australia has sold more than $28.7 billion worth of its beef to the U.S.

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Market Analysts Say Uncertainty from Trade Tariffs Continues to Weigh on U.S. Grain Prices

Uncertainty from trade tariffs continues to weigh on U.S. grain prices, hitting soybean prices the hardest, followed by wheat and corn. It’s causing a lot of countries to take a step back and re-evaluate. Either to look at getting more negotiations done on trade deals or look at other routes to meet their needs. President Trump recently signed an executive order that updated reciprocal tariffs for some countries that go into effect August 7 and increased tariffs immediately for countries like Canada. Canada has a new tariff rate of 35 percent. Products included in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempt from tariffs. Don Roose with U.S. Commodities says other big trading partners for U.S. agriculture, like Mexico, have a deadline extension of 90 days before tariffs go into effect. Roose says if trade discussions between the U.S. and China continue to drag out, it would be negative for the U.S. farmer, because of the potential lost demand from China.

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Soybean Gall Midge a Difficult Pest to Manage

Soybean gall midge is proving to be a difficult pest to manage. Bob Koch with the University of Minnesota says the insect is still new, so threshold levels for treatment have not been established. “It seems like seed-applied insecticides aren’t providing much control, based on research from my colleagues in Iowa (and) Nebraska,” said Koch. “Foliar-applied insecticides, the insecticide sprays, aren’t really doing all that much. And that may be due to the fact that these larvae are protected inside these stems.” Gall midge larvae feed on the base and lower stem of soybean plants, hindering the movement of water and nutrients. The complicating factor is the adult flies coming out over extended periods of time in multiple generations over the years. It is not effective to target them with just a single spray. According to the Soybean Gall Midge Alert Network, the pest has been identified in several Midwestern states this summer including two new counties in Iowa and three in Minnesota. The group says there’s also been a significant increase in adult emergence and plant injury in eastern Nebraska.

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Over a Quarter of U.S. Corn Crop at Dough Stage Ahead of Five-Year Average

Over a Quarter of U.S. Corn Crop is at dough stage according to the USDA’s Crop Progress report for the week ending July 27. 26% of the country’s corn crop is at the dough growth stage, with all 18 top-producing states reporting for the stage. Eight states are ahead of the national five-year average 24%, and 10 are below it. Here’s a closer look at the numbers. North Carolina leads the country in the percentage of corn at the dough growth stage, with 81% as of July 27. That’s an increase of 10 percentage points from the week prior and 16 points ahead of the state’s five-year average 65%. Texas has 76% of its corn crop at the dough stage. That’s only 2 percentage points ahead of the week prior, but 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 70%. With 59% of its corn at the dough growth stage, Tennessee ranks third among the states. The corn crop gained 16 points from the previous week but is only 3 points ahead of the state’s five-year average of 56%.

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Secretary Rollins Announces Local Food Purchases for Communities in Need

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $230 million in fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. Fiscal year to date, USDA has provided more than $924 million in purchases, all which benefit the charitable feeding network. Rollins said in a statement, “The announcement continues to prioritize American commodities for families and communities in need. On the eve of the Great American Farmers Market, USDA is proud to play a role in not only connecting smaller, local farmers to families, but doing its part to Make America Healthy Again.” On an ongoing basis, UISDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products as authorized by Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service nutrition assistance programs, including food banks.

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