December 01, 2025
USDA Announces $30 Million Food Purchase
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said her agency intends to purchase up to $30 million in fresh fruit 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. “Certain commodities are experiencing a surplus, and USDA is ensuring these crops do not go to waste and instead go to Americans in need across the country,” Rollins said. “These fresh fruits will reach those in need, boosting healthier options for Americans at food banks across the country, all while benefiting American farmers facing unfair actions from foreign competitors.” The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will purchase $15 million in fresh oranges, $10 million in grapefruit, and $5 million worth of mandarins. The AMS purchases a variety of domestically-produced agricultural products on an ongoing basis.
***********************************************************************************
Dairy Industry Leaders Share Progress and Priorities
More than 270 leaders from across the dairy value chain gathered on November 18 for the 2025 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Fall Meeting and sent a clear message: progress happens faster when the community moves forward together. The opening session highlighted the 2023-2024 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report, which tracks industry-wide performance across three priority areas: Advance Well-Being, Regenerate the Environment, and Care for our Animals and Communities. It includes the industry’s first five-year update toward its 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals, providing a clear view of how the industry is turning commitments into measurable impact. “This report reinforces the credibility of dairy’s sustainability leadership,” said Lori Captain, group executive vice president of sustainability strategy, science, and industry relations at Dairy Management, Inc. “It brings forward the science, transparency, and results that matter to our customers, and it reflects the steady progress happening every day on farms and across the value chain.”
***********************************************************************************
More Bird Flu Ahead of the Holiday Season
As the holidays are here, bird flu is once again infecting commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Civil Eats reports that the flu has infected and killed more than 8.9 million turkeys, chickens, and ducks in the U.S. since September. The report said consumers are unlikely to feel a price squeeze during the holidays. For example, a 50-state survey from the American Farm Bureau found retail prices for frozen turkeys were down by 16 percent compared to last year. That’s even though wholesale prices are up 40 percent, with retailers often selling turkeys as loss-leaders. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports that 93 flocks have been tested and confirmed with HPAI infection. That includes 43 commercial flocks, 50 backyard flocks, and has affected 1.67 million birds across all the infected premises. Reuters reported that the risk of infection in the public remains low.
**********************************************************************************
Myer to Lead FAPRI at the University of Missouri
USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer will join the University of Missouri on January 1, 2026, to lead the internationally recognized Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. Pat Westhoff, who’s held the position since 2011, is retiring on March 1, 2026. Meyer has held various roles with USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist and FAPRI over the years, including as the assistant director of FAPRI, before rejoining USDA in 2021 to serve as the chief economist. “This is a great opportunity to continue to provide solid agricultural policy development in support of the agricultural sector, cooperate with other faculty members, and return home to Missouri,” Meyer said. “I look forward to the opportunity to do more in-depth analysis and research.” The Institute provides objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies for audiences like Congress, USDA commodity groups, and international governments. Meyer received a PhD in Ag Economics from the University of Missouri.
***********************************************************************************
Cranberry Production Forecast at the Five-Year Average
Just in time for the holiday season, cranberry production is forecast right at the five-year average. From coast to coast, cranberries are harvested ahead of the holiday season and are widely available from October to December. The remainder of the crop is processed into products sold year-round. Production of the fruit is measured by the barrel, with one barrel equivalent to 100 pounds. In 2025, the U.S. cranberry crop is forecast at 8.13 million barrels, a decrease of nine percent from last year but close to the five-year average of 7.95 million barrels. Wisconsin, the top-producing state in the U.S., typically harvests around 60 percent of the total crop. For 2025, Wisconsin’s production is forecast at 5.3 million barrels, a decrease of three percent from 2024 but four percent above the average of the previous three years due to dry growing conditions. Massachusetts, the second-largest producer, saw production drop 22 percent.
***********************************************************************************
Navigation Season Ends on the Upper Mississippi River
The last tow of the 2025 Upper Mississippi River navigation season departed from St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The Motor Vessel Sierra Dawn departed late in the afternoon with 12 barges. Traditionally, the last tow to depart St. Paul and head south of Lock and Dam 2 marks the unofficial end of the navigation season. The St. Paul District’s acting locks and dams chief said it’s a “bittersweet milestone” when the last tow of the season departs. “It’s the end of the season, but the work isn’t done,” said Mitch Serjogins. “Maintenance becomes our priority over the winter to ensure we continue providing a reliable navigation channel for the movement of commodities up and down the Mississippi River.” The St. Paul District staff are working on maintenance projects scheduled at Lock and Dam 7, near La Crescent, Minnesota, and Lock and Dam 9, near Lynxville, Wisconsin.
***********************************************************************************