January 23, 2026
No Year-Round E15 in Congressional Spending Bill
After weeks of negotiations, it appears that the House funding bill expected to advance today will exclude language that would have allowed nationwide, year-round access to E15. In place of the year-round E15 provision, Congress appears poised to create a new “Rural Domestic Energy Council” that would develop potential legislative proposals on E15 and other renewable fuels issues that could be considered for future adoption. “We are extremely disappointed that Congress appears to have again failed in adopting a simple technical fix that would have made lower-cost American-made E15 available to consumers nationwide all year long,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “Allowing year-round E15 would have provided a lifeline to farmers who are facing the worst economic crisis in almost 50 years, while also helping American families struggling with higher energy bills.” He also pointed out that there was already a compromise deal broadly supported by ethanol and oil refiners in place.
***********************************************************************************
USDA Announces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the launch of the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge. This funding opportunity marks a pivotal step in USDA’s comprehensive strategy to combat NWS and prevent its northward spread. As part of the Grand Challenge, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will make up to $100 million available to support innovative projects that enhance NWS sterile fly production, strengthen response strategies, and safeguard U.S. agriculture, animal health, and trade. APHIS invites proposals that support objectives that develop novel NWS traps and lures, develop and increase understanding of NWS therapeutics and treatments for animals, and develop other tools to bolster preparedness or response to NWS. Eligible applicants are invited to submit proposals that align with and support these priorities by the deadline on February 23, 2026. The notice of the opportunity is available on the NWS Grand Challenge webpage.
***********************************************************************************
Activists Using Misleading Support Letters for Prop 12
The Center for the Environment and Welfare released an analysis of a letter, widely promoted by animal rights operatives on Capitol Hill, signed by “farmers” who support California’s Proposition 12 and oppose a federal fix to the onerous law. Lawmakers are currently considering several pieces of legislation to override the measure. In response, radical animal rights groups continue to highlight a letter allegedly signed by 5,000 “farmers and producers” who support Prop 12. However, CEW’s new analysis suggests the letter is not what it might seem at first. Many of the backers are not pork or egg producers, with some not involved in agriculture at all. The list appears to include over 100 vineyards, 150 honey producers, 25 mushroom growers, eight hemp or marijuana farms, and even a goat yoga operator. “Mushroom farmers, beekeepers, and goat yoga providers are not credible experts on pork policy,” said Jack Hubbard, executive director of CEW.
***********************************************************************************
Iowa Corn Growers Applaud Carbon Capture Legislation
Mike Klimesh (KLY-mesh), the Majority Leader of the Iowa Senate, introduced Senate File 2067, which drew applause from the Iowa Corn Growers Association. The bill proposes widening the corridor to find new paths for the carbon capture and sequestration pipeline, relying on eminent domain only after all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted. The Iowa Corn Growers Association applauded the bill for its increased flexibility as Iowa fights to pursue low-carbon ethanol markets. “Iowa’s corn farmers are continuing to see corn prices dropping and input costs rising,” said Iowa Corn Growers President Steve Kuiper (KY-per). “Without access to low-carbon fuels through the carbon pipeline, farmers will lose the ability to participate in new markets, like sustainable aviation fuel or marine fuel, and be forced to watch other states like Nebraska adopt CCS technology.” He also said this bill is a big step in the right direction.
***********************************************************************************
U.S. Soy Exports Continued Growing in Marketing Year 2024-2025
The United States exported 68.7 million metric tons of U.S. soy, which included whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil, during the marketing year 2024-2025. That represents a 12.8 percent increase year-over-year and a 2.95 percent gain over the five-year average. That’s according to data from the USDA’s Global Agriculture Trade System. “With ample production and supply capacity, the U.S. remains well positioned to meet both domestic and global demand for whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil,” said Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. The top five growth markets for the U.S. Soy complex included Turkey, up 342 percent, Vietnam, up 89 percent, Venezuela, up 68 percent, Colombia, up 48 percent, and Bangladesh, up 40 percent. Sutter said that gains in several markets reflect a mix of improved market access and rising demand for animal protein.
**********************************************************************************
USDA Announces Grant Funding for Dairy Support
The USDA is awarding more than $11 million in grant funding to support dairy businesses and producers through the Dairy Business Innovation Grant Program. The initiatives support small and mid-sized dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products. “This funding through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives makes important investments in the domestic dairy industry, furthering USDA’s efforts to ensure Americans have access to affordable, wholesome U.S. dairy products,” said Dudley Hoskins, USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. This year’s funds will go to four current DBI Initiatives at California State University—Fresno, the University of Tennessee, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, and the University of Wisconsin. The initiatives will use the funding to provide valuable technical assistance and sub-award funds to dairy farmers and businesses across their regions, supporting them with business plan development, marketing, and branding. For more information, go to the AMS Dairy Business Innovation webpage.
***********************************************************************************