January 20, 2026

Bayer Statement on Supreme Court Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will review the Durnell Roundup case. Monsanto had petitioned the court to hear Durnell in April 2025. The company asked the Court to address the split in authority among federal circuit courts on the application of federal preemption, a cross-cutting issue in the Roundup litigation. The company expects a decision on the merits during the Court’s 2026 session, which ends in June. “The Supreme Court decision to take the case is good news for U.S. farmers, who need regulatory clarity,” said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson. “It’s also an important step in our multipronged strategy to significantly contain this legislation.” Anderson also said it’s time for the U.S. legal system to establish that companies should not be punished under state laws for complying with federal warning label requirements, as every leading regulator in the world has concluded that glyphosate-based herbicides can be used safely. 

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Chicken Demand Keeps Rising

The U.S. chicken industry is on a decades-long winning streak. Steady growth in consumer demand, coupled with efficiency gains in broiler production have powered the sector’s remarkable growth during the last thirty years. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the near-term outlook for broiler production remains exceptionally strong. But the opportunities for increasing output are becoming more limited. Higher capital costs, tight labor availability, and increased local regulation have stalled site expansions. Chick availability has trended downward as genetic priorities have shifted from hatchability to meat yield, and adding more pounds per bird has its limits. “The potential long-term challenge becomes how big is too big for birds on the processing line, and what will drive consumer preferences for chicken products into 2030 and beyond,” said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist at CoBank. With a change in genetics, producers can now get over 1,000 pounds of chicken from a single egg-laying hen. 

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Ag Groups Sound Alarm About Farming Future

Agriculture groups sounded the alarm about the economic crisis in rural America in a letter sent today to Congress. Fifty-six organizations representing a cross-section of agriculture signed the letter, sending a strong message to Congress. The letter describes an existential threat looming over many farms, stating that, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and growers are facing extreme economic pressures that threaten the long-term viability of the U.S. agriculture sector. An alarming number of farmers are financially underwater, farm bankruptcies continue climbing, and many farmers are having difficulty securing the financing they need to grow a crop this year.” The letter also said that for the last three or four years, the reality of record-high input costs and rapidly declining and historically low crop and specialty crop prices has culminated in negative farming margins and losses approaching $100 billion nationwide. Losses for commodity crops and specialty crops remain deep, and the gap needs to be closed. 

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RFA Comments on Proposed Clean Fuel Regulations in Canada

In comments submitted last week to Environmental and Climate Change Canada, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed strong support for Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations and shared its view on potential amendments to the program. The comments responded to a December discussion paper that laid out potential targeted amendments meant to “strengthen resiliency and support of the development of Canada’s low-carbon fuel sector, while maintaining the Regulations’ primary focus on lowering GHG emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.” Specifically, the RFA voiced its support for the potential addition of a CFR compliance credit “multiplier” for low-carbon fuels made in Canada as a means of harmonizing biofuel production incentives on both sides of the border. “The credit multiplier, which acts as an incentive, is a market-based, flexible approach that prioritizes logistical and economic efficiency and protects consumers from the potential for higher fuel prices,” said RFA General Counsel Edward Hubbard, Jr.

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1890 Scholars Program Applications Open

The USDA is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at the nation’s land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. The application deadline is March 8, 2026. Students around the country are invited to compete and submit their applications through an online application portal. The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college who will attend one of the 1890 land grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resources, or related academic disciplines. The program is also open to rising college sophomores and juniors who meet the same criteria. “Our land-grant universities are critical in educating the next generation of agriculturalists, and the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program supports this effort by providing students with more real-world work experience and support for their education,” said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. 

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Farm Credit Applauds Push for Additional Farm Assistance

Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert made a statement after Senate agricultural leaders called for expanded agriculture assistance in the upcoming continuing resolution. “Farm Credit thanks Chairmen Boozman (BOZE-man) and Hoeven for championing expanded agriculture assistance,” Seyfert said. “Many row crop and specialty crop producers continue to struggle because of economic and weather pressures outside their control.” Seyfert also affirmed that the proposal will help farmers and ranchers until updated Farm Bill programs take effect this Fall. “Further, including increased FSA loan limits is an important step in ensuring farmers and ranchers can access credit to survive this downturn and expand their operations in the Future.” She also said Farm Credit has supported increasing these loan limits since the beginning of the Farm Bill process. Farm Credit also appreciates the Senators’ work on this vital provision and looks forward to working with FSA in leveraging this enhanced tool to strengthen farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

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