September 25, 2025
USDA Three-Point Plan to Support Producers and Exporters
Last week, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg announced a new three-point plan to support American agricultural producers and exporters. The plan was announced during remarks at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The first of three points is the America First Trade Promotion Program. USDA will kickstart the trade promotion program in fiscal year 2026. The second is a new model of trade missions that supplements the current model. The third point is an effort to revitalize export finance opportunities by reducing financial risk to lenders with credit guarantees to encourage exports to buyers in countries that have sufficient financial strength to have foreign exchange available for scheduled payments. “Advancing these programs as supplements to our existing programs ensures the health, prosperity, and security of rural America, and our farmers, ranchers, and producers,” Linberg said.
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China’s Soybean Buyers Now Turning to Argentina
Multiple grain traders told Reuters that Chinese soybean buyers have booked at least ten cargoes of Argentinian soybeans after the country decided to scrap export taxes. That’s another setback to America’s farmers, who are already shut out of their number one market and hurting from low prices. Removing the tax on exports boosts the competitiveness of Argentina’s soybeans, prompting traders to purchase cargoes for fourth-quarter inventories in China, a period that’s usually dominated by U.S. soybean imports. However, Reuters said that’s now clouded by Washington’s trade war with Beijing. One trader said Chinese buyers booked a total of 15 cargoes, dealing a fresh blow to America’s farmers, missing out on billions in soybean sales to China halfway through their prime marketing season. Argentina temporarily eliminated export taxes on grains and their by-products, as well as on beef and poultry, in a bid to spur sales abroad and bring in much-needed income.
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USDA Investments to Address Trade Barriers, Expand Market Access
The USDA is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help 11 U.S. recipients address their trade barriers and expand international market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is provided through the Foreign Agricultural Service, which manages the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program. It helps producers combat trade barriers and promote their goods internationally. “Our market development programs are bringing the bounty of American agriculture to people around the world, helping millions of hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers connect their safe, high-quality products with growing export markets,” said Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Undersecretary Luke Lindberg. Through TASC, USDA partners with non-profit U.S. agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit state-regional trade groups, state agencies, and small businesses to expand market access and conduct overseas marketing and promotional activities on behalf of producers and processors. The USDA market development programs return an estimated $24.50 for every dollar invested.
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Commitment to Biotech Principles in Wheat Development
U.S. Wheat Associates welcomed the announcement of a new collaboration between Bioceres (bio series) Crop Solutions and the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. This joint effort aims to develop and prepare HB4® wheat for eventual commercialization in the United States. “We recognize the opportunities this advancement in breeding technology will bring to U.S. wheat production and look forward to seeing how the trait performs in U.S.-developed varieties,” said Mike Spier, president and CEO of U.S. Wheat. “We are also listening closely to our U.S. wheat farmer leaders and global customers, which is why we especially appreciate the commitment of Bioceres and CWRF to the Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization.” He also said the continued open conversations as HB4® wheat enters the wheat breeding pipeline ensure that customers know their concerns are being heard and that the U.S. wheat store remains open to meet their desired preferences for wheat purchases.
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USDA to Measure Milk Production
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is about to begin data collection efforts for the quarterly Milk Production Survey. The information collected in the survey allows NASS to accurately measure and report conditions and trends in the U.S. milk industry over the course of a year. This survey, conducted four times a year, asks milk producers to provide the number of milk cows in the herd, the number of cows milked, and total milk production for the first day of the month. NASS also collects information about milk consumed on the farm and the amount fed to calves. “The dairy industry relies on the Milk Production reports to make decisions about marketing their milk,” said NASS Livestock Branch Chief Travis Averill. “By participating in the survey, milk producers can ensure that NASS provides timely, accurate, and useful data that all sectors of the U.S. milk industry use to make sound business decisions.”
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Cattlemen’s College Included in CattleCon Registration
CattleCon 2026, the largest cattle industry event of the year, will be in Nashville, Tennessee, February 3-5, 2026. Something new is that all registration options include access to Cattlemen’s College education sessions and demonstrations. For more than 30 years, Cattlemen’s College has provided cattle producers with valuable information to help improve their herds and businesses, and the experience will be open to all CattleCon 2026 attendees. “We bring together industry leaders from across the country to share the latest advancements and provide vital information,” said Buck Wehrbein (WEAR-byne), president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We’re excited to make this educational experience available to everyone and look forward to hearing how producers use the valuable knowledge and insights to strengthen their businesses.” More than a dozen educational sessions and live animal handling demonstrations will take place. Also, classroom sessions will be recorded and available for attendees to watch after the event.
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