March 11, 2026
Plans to Fight NWS Move Forward
The USDA and the Army Corps of Engineers announced a construction contract with Mortenson Construction to build a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Texas. This facility is a key part of the five-prong strategy by Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins that’s designed to fight New World Screwworm. The plan will expand USDA’s domestic response capacity, bolstering production for U.S. livestock, wildlife, and public health. The Army Corps is partnering with USDA and will provide oversight for the contract, design, engineering, and construction of the facility. “The Army Corps is the best in the business, and their engineering expertise and proven track record in delivering complex projects will help ensure that we can build a modern, resilient facility that protects American agriculture from invasive pests for decades to come,” said Rollins. Lt. General William Graham said the Corps has helped secure America by engineering solutions to its toughest challenges.
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As Fuel Prices Soar, the Time is Now for Immediate Action on E15
The Renewable Fuels Association urged the White House to take immediate action allowing broader use of lower-cost, American-made ethanol in the U.S. fuel supply to help blunt the impact of higher prices for crude oil and gasoline. “Adding larger volumes of low-cost ethanol to gasoline is a proven solution for reducing fuel prices and helping to insulate the U.S. market from global supply shocks,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “A series of deregulatory actions could rapidly unleash billions of gallons of additional fuel volume, providing relief at the pump for hardworking families.” Cooper also said the Environmental Protection Agency should issue emergency summertime fuel waivers that allow a 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RPV) volatility tolerance for E15 use nationwide, as well as E10 in certain areas that previously opted out of the 1-psi RVP Waiver Program.
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Intervention Needed to Prevent Food-Supply Shocks
U.S. farmers are bracing for a system shock resulting from the disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz (hor-MOOZ) and the impact on fertilizer availability and prices. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall urged the Trump administration to intervene in a letter laying out several recommendations. An analysis by Farm Bureau economists reveals the seriousness of the situation, as they pointed out the large volumes of urea, ammonia, phosphates, sulfur, and petroleum produced in Gulf countries that move through the Strait of Hormuz. “Countries exposed to disruption in the region account for almost 49 percent of global urea exports and about 30 percent of global ammonia exports, reflecting the concentration of fertilizer production and export capacity in and near the Persian Gulf,” the letter said. Recommendations included utilizing the U.S. Navy to provide safe transit for fertilizer shipments through the Strait, as well as financial help for vessels carrying fertilizer cargo.
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National Ag Day Events in Washington, D.C.
Leaders from across the U.S. ag sector will gather at USDA headquarters to celebrate National Agriculture Day. It’s a celebration recognizing the vital role agriculture plays in providing food, fiber, fuel, and economic strength to communities across the U.S. National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America and observed annually to increase public awareness of agriculture’s contributions and the people who produce the nation’s food and resources. The theme this year is “Agriculture: Together We Grow – Celebrating 250 Years of Progress in Agriculture.” A series of events will take place in Washington throughout the day. The centerpiece event, Ag Day at USDA, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at USDA’s Whitten Patio. The program will feature remarks from agricultural leaders like Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. For more information and event registration, visit agday.org.
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Angus Foundation Introduces New Vo-Tech Scholarships
The Angus Foundation is expanding its commitment to supporting the next generation of the beef industry with the launch of its new Vo-Tech Scholarship, available beginning with the 2026 application season. This scholarship is designed to support students who are actively involved in the Angus breed and are pursuing vocational and technical education that leads directly to skilled careers in agriculture and related fields. The Vo-Tech Scholarship supports students attending accredited technical schools, community colleges, or certification programs. Eligible areas of study include welding, diesel mechanics, feedlot or processing center operations, animal husbandry, ag technology systems, meat processing, or other essential functions related to the beef supply chain. “By adding this scholarship, we’re ensuring that students who choose skilled trades have the support they need to contribute to the future of the Angus business,” said Jaclyn Boester, executive director of the Angus Foundation.
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NFU Delegates Finalize Policy Priorities to End National Convention
Earlier this week, the National Farmers Union concluded its 124th Anniversary Convention after the assembled delegates voted to finalize NFU’s 2026 policy priorities. The NFU welcomed over 500 family farmers, ranchers, and supporters to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the three-day event. “The challenges facing family farmers and ranchers continue to grow more complex,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “But through it all, Farmers Union continues to do something Washington too often struggles to achieve, which is bringing people with diverse viewpoints together, working through tough issues, and emerging with solutions they built collectively.” He also said that unity is the greatest strength of the organization. The finalized policy priorities approved by NFU delegates include three special orders of business on timely topics, including Family Farmers, the Farm Crisis, and the Future of Food and Farm Policy. NFU also announced Farmers Union Next Generation, designed to serve young, beginning, and early-career farmers.
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