December 18, 2025
Railroad Merger Loses Union Support
A proposed merger worth up to $85 billion between the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads lost the support of two unions that represent over 50 percent of the affected workers. The AP said the employees are concerned the merger will eliminate a large number of jobs and lead to significant safety concerns. Significant disruptions because of the merger would also raise shipping rates and consumer prices. The deal would create the first transcontinental railroad in U.S. history, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division are among the deal’s most prominent critics. They aren’t alone, joining a coalition including the American Chemistry Council, a number of agricultural groups, and competing railroad BNSF in raising concerns that the merger will hurt competition. The Surface Transportation Board will take input to determine whether the arrangement is in the public interest.
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Feedback on USDA Reorganization is Mostly Negative
The Agriculture Department’s plan to relocate thousands of staff members and consolidate dozens of offices has received overwhelmingly negative feedback. Government Executive reports that employees, lawmakers, and stakeholders say it could lead to “brain drain” due to a loss of employees not wanting to relocate, which may mean significant disruptions in farmer-support programs. The agency has only ten percent of its workforce currently in the Washington, D.C., area, but the department wants to relocate about 2,600 of those employees to new locations. USDA intends to move a large number of employees to five regional hubs around the country. It will also slash other regional offices around the U.S. and consolidate many support functions. “Stakeholders worry that the cost-cutting measures will prioritize efficiency over service quality, which would undermine public trust in the agency,” Government Executive said.
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Ag Equipment Sales are also Falling Outside the U.S.
The U.S. isn’t the only country seeing a decline in ag equipment purchases. Brazil saw a double-digit percentage drop in tractor sales in November. That’s according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Total tractor shipments in the country were down five percent on an annual basis last month. Sales of high-horsepower and low-horsepower tractors were down 15 percent year over year in November, which followed another ten percent decline in October. High-horsepower tractor sales in Brazil plunged 28 percent in November and are down 15 percent year to date, according to a report from Truist Securities. Deere said it expects flat year-over-year tractor and combine sales in South America, AGCO said it expects modest growth in South America in 2026, and CNH said industry volumes will be flat. “Demand remains uncertain, due in part to the U.S.-China trade agreement, high interest rates, and strong crop yields,” Truist added.
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NCGA Announces Yield Contest Winners
The National Corn Growers Association announced the winners of the 2025 Yield Contest. With growing conditions that led to a projected record corn crop, this year’s participants delivered impressive yields, once again showcasing the ingenuity of U.S. agriculture. In the 61st year of the contest, it saw almost 7,800 entries from farmers in 47 states. Entrants across the ten production categories had verified yields averaging 269 bushels an acre. The highest yield for this year came out of Charles City, Virginia, at 572.25 bushels per acre in Class H (strip-till irrigated) for David Hula. “The Yield Contest is really about finding out what this crop is capable of,” said NCGA President Jed Bower. ‘’And as corn farmers, we get to show what we’re made of too.” A complete list of the winners can be found at ncga.com/YieldContest. Winners will be honored at the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, February 25–27.
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RIPE Excited About Funds for Regenerative Agriculture
Rural Investment to Protect our Environment, or RIPE, celebrated the recent announcement of the $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program. The program is meant to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, while fortifying U.S. supplies of food, fuel, and fiber. “RIPE is excited about USDA’s commitment to scaling regenerative agriculture,” said Trey Cooke, RIPE Executive Director. “The program aligns with RIPE’s approach, removing barriers to effective conservation practices and engaging farmers from across the country in conservation.” Cooke also added that they look forward to seeing the details of the program and helping ensure this investment in conservation and the pledge to U.S. producers is successful. RIPE is a bipartisan, producer-led organization committed to scaling voluntary agriculture stewardship. The group believes agricultural producers and communities benefit from a system that aligns economic incentives with voluntary practices that enhance the soil, water, and climate.
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CattleCon 2026 has Multiple Don’t-Miss Events
CattleCon 2026 is rapidly approaching, and there will be plenty of “don’t-miss” events on the schedule. The largest beef and cattle industry event of the year will be in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, February 3-5. While CattleCon officially begins on Tuesday, February 3, arrive early for the D.C. Issues Update and NCBA Regional Meetings on Monday, February 2. During the D.C. Issues session, NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane will share insights about NCBA’s policy work. NCBA Region Meetings give cattle producers the opportunity to engage in insightful conversations regarding significant local matters that could potentially influence operations. A new event at CattleCon 2026 is the Prime Cut Awards, which features the National Environmental Stewardship Award and the Beef Quality Assurance Awards. A Sustainability Forum on Thursday, February 5, focuses on legacy in action. For more information and to register and reserve housing, visit convention.ncba.org.
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