February 12, 2026
USDA Data Under Increasing Scrutiny
The USDA is facing some doubts about the reliability of its data from farmers, grain traders, and economists. Reuters said the doubts are coming about because of the agency’s significant staff losses and the sharp upward revision in how many acres of corn U.S. farmers harvested in 2025. “Thousands of employees left the agency last year as a part of the administration’s push to shrink the federal government, and industry stakeholders are worried that the shrinking staff limited the agency’s ability to produce timely and accurate data,” Reuters said. USDA’s final January estimates of how many acres corn farmers planted and harvested in 2025 represented unprecedented increases from June’s initial estimates. Already-low grain prices dropped over five percent at a time when growers were already struggling to make enough money to stay in business. The unexpected revisions prompted the National Agricultural Statistics Service to launch an internal review of its processes for making acreage estimates.
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AFBF: Smaller Cattle Herd Means Market Volatility
It’s well-known that the U.S. cattle herd continues to shrink. The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report showed the total inventory at 86.2 million head on January 1. That was down 300,000 head from last year. American Farm Bureau analysis showed the combination of fewer beef cows and a declining calf crop means the 2026 calf crop will likely continue to trend downward because there are fewer calves available for the breeding herd, even if more heifers are kept for breeding purposes. Tighter cattle supplies will contribute to higher prices and volatility for cattle and beef in 2026. Smaller cattle supplies paired with strong consumer demand for beef have driven up prices for both cattle and beef. With cattle supplies this tight, markets have become more responsive to news and events that could impact supply and demand. Beef cattle cash receipts have been one of the few bright spots in the U.S. agricultural economy.
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USGBC Arrives in Panama for International Marketing Conference
U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council staff and members are in Panama City, Panama, for the 23rd International Marketing Conference and the 66th Annual Membership Meeting. This meeting will spotlight important conversations around new markets, the Panama Canal, and discussions about the Council’s upcoming global trade strategy in Latin America and the Asia Pacific. “My theme for this year is ‘The Time is Now,’ which reflects both the opportunities and challenges in the current trade environment,” said Mark Wilson, USGBC Chair. “Not only will attendees hear throughout this conference about the recent trade victories we’ve had during the last year, but they will also get the opportunity to meet and speak directly with members of the Council’s staff who are strategically placed around the world and working for them.” The Conference and Membership Meeting runs through Friday in Panama. Interested people can follow along on social media using #Grains26.
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Year-Round E15 Push Needs Action by Sunday
The rural economy is suffering, and the news about increasing farm bankruptcies and the USDA’s unexpected jump in the 2025 corn harvest came at a bad time. Geoff Cooper, the president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, said a record corn crop should be good news. “Demand hasn’t kept up, which means lower commodity prices and farm income,” Cooper said. “Government payments, while appreciated, don’t clear out bins, but stronger markets do.” He also said the best and easiest solution lies before Congress, which is legislation to allow year-round E15 sales nationwide. “It’s now up to the House’s E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council to present its proposed approach for approving year-round E15 by this Sunday, February 15,” he added. “The House has promised to hold a vote on the legislative proposal by the end of this month.” Year-round E15 would be the most effective way to address the supply-demand imbalance.
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AccuWeather: Worst Winter Cold Likely Over
AccuWeather long-range experts say the harshest cold of winter is likely in the rearview mirror, but the rest of the season will bring various weather threats, including ice jams, flooding, severe storms, and an increased risk of wildfires. “Rising temperatures will melt snow and ice over the next few weeks, which can trigger ice jams and river flooding earlier than usual, especially along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers,” said Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather Long-Range Expert. Forecasters say an extended dry stretch in California will be coming to an end with more rain and some snowfall in the mountains. Rain and snow will also return to the Rockies and the rest of the West in the weeks ahead. Even with 30 percent of the country having snowpack on the ground, almost 20 percent of the U.S. is currently dealing with severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions, compared to 17 percent at this time last year.
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New Face Expanding Broadband Across Rural America
NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, announced that Mike Romano is the new Chief Executive Officer, effective on March 15. Romano is currently the Executive Vice President of NTCA, where he oversees public policy, government affairs, and business development initiatives. “Having worked for the past 15 years for smaller broadband providers working to connect rural America, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the difference these operators make in driving innovation and lifting up consumers and communities,” Romano said. “I am grateful for the trust that the NTCA board and the association’s membership have placed in me with this selection, and I look forward to helping them fulfill their mission of delivering connections that will benefit our entire nation for decades to come.” NTCA Chair Ben Foster said Romano has played an integral role in executing NTCA’s mission for more than a decade and is well-prepared to advocate forcefully for the industry and the communities NTCA serves.
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