July 06, 2026 

NAFB News Service is closed on Friday, July 3, and will reopen on Monday, July 6

Bayer Seeking Glyphosate Import Duties

Farm groups are pushing back against Bayer’s request for new duties on glyphosate imports from China, warning the move could raise costs for farmers already facing tight margins. Bayer, through its Monsanto subsidiary, has asked federal officials to impose antidumping and countervailing duties on Chinese glyphosate imports, arguing the products are being sold at artificially low prices that threaten the long-term viability of domestic production. Reuters said the request drew criticism from commodity organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association. “They are taking this step purely for the benefit of the company and its shareholders, once again at the expense of the American farmer,” said Jed Bower, NCGGA President. The American Soybean Association also opposed the proposal, saying import taxes could reduce competition and increase input costs. Farm groups argue higher herbicide prices would add pressure to growers already dealing with weak commodity prices and elevated production expenses.

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Ag Groups React to First USMCA Review

American agricultural groups reacted to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada launching the first joint review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. “Getting USMCA right matters enormously to our industry, which ships more than 40 percent of all U.S. dairy exports by value to Canada and Mexico,” said U.S. Dairy Export Council Vice President Shawna Morris. Trade under the agreement is also vital for U.S. pork exports. ”While we would have liked to see immediate renewal, pork producers appreciate Ambassador Greer’s commitment to staying at the negotiating table with Mexico and Canada,” said NPPC in a statement. The Trump administration decided it would not approve renewal of the agreement in its current state. Declining the agreement started a ten-year clock to wind down the trade deal as the U.S. looks to reshore manufacturing jobs and cut down on ag trade deficits with its neighbors in North America. 

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Soybean Growers Applaud New Crop Protection Tools

The American Soybean Association is applauding the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of new crop protection technologies, saying the products will give farmers more tools to manage weeds, protect yields, and support regenerative farming practices. ASA said the approvals provide soybean growers access to newer technologies needed to combat increasing weed and pest pressures while maintaining productivity. “We appreciate EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the agency for advancing registrations for a suite of new crop protection tools,” said Scott Metzger, ASA President. “Crop protection tools must evolve alongside modernizing farm practices, making access to these innovative technologies critical to maintaining the competitive advantage of U.S. soybeans.” The approvals are an important step forward, and ASA encourages EPA to continue building on this momentum by advancing additional science-based registrations that provide soybean farmers with the innovative tools they need to remain productive, competitive, and sustainable.

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Ethanol Product Reaches Highest Level in Two Months

U.S. ethanol production climbed to its highest level in more than two months last week, according to the latest report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Ethanol output averaged 1.117 million barrels per day during the week ending June 26, up from 1.09 million barrels the previous week and the strongest production rate since April. The Midwest, the nation’s largest ethanol-producing region, accounted for most of the increase, with production rising to 1.053 million barrels per day. Ethanol inventories also moved higher, climbing to 24.69 million barrels. That’s up from 24.59 million the week before and the largest stockpile since late May. The EIA report said an increase in production reflects continued strong demand for ethanol, an important market for U.S. corn growers, while the larger inventory numbers will be closely watched as traders gauge fuel demand heading into the heart of the summer driving season.

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National FFA Hosts Inaugural Catalyst Conference

The National FFA Organization is looking to create the next generation of community leaders through its inaugural Catalyst Conference. Held June 18-20 in Indianapolis, the conference brought together students from two dozen FFA chapters for leadership development, chapter planning and hands-on service as part of FFA’s Living to Serve initiative. The goal was to help members identify community needs and develop service projects that create lasting impacts long after they return home. “Living to Serve means more than completing a service project. It’s about creating lasting change,” said program specialist Elizabeth Sendelweck. “Students gained the skills and confidence to return home, strengthen their chapters, and create projects that make a difference in their communities.” During the event, students completed 12 hours of service by packing snack packs, landscaping community spaces, creating floral arrangements for assisted living residents, assembling dog leash kits, and installing a permanent landscape garden at the National FFA Center.

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NFU: Farmers Receive Just 11.8 Cents of Every Food Dollar

Family farmers receive just 11.8 cents of every dollar consumers spend on food, according to an updated National Farmers Union report released ahead of Independence Day. The report tracks the farmers’ share of popular cookout foods and highlights the growing gap between grocery store prices and what producers earn. NFU says the figures come as farm finances remain under pressure, with bankruptcies rising 46 percent from 2024 to 2025, record farm debt, and continued high input costs weighing on producers. “For 250 years, the stories of family farmers and ranchers have been woven into the fabric of this country,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “But on this anniversary, family farmers deserve better.” Larew also said increased consolidation throughout the food supply chain has weakened competition, leaving farmers with a shrinking share of the food dollar even as consumers continue paying higher prices at the grocery store.

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