September 03, 2026
USDA Unveils Data Modernization Plan At Farm Progress Show
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled a USDA Data Modernization Plan Tuesday at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, aimed at making data collection more useful and less burdensome for farmers and ranchers. The plan will modernize how USDA gathers information, improve acreage and yield estimates, integrate technology platforms, and expand transparency with producers. “America’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our food and agricultural system, and USDA should respect their time while delivering the reliable information they need,” Rollins said. USDA plans to expand administrative data use, improve mobile survey access, and explore prefilled information to reduce duplicate requests. The department will test satellite imagery, geospatial tools, crop models, and other technology to improve estimates. Kip Tom, USDA’s special advisor for data modernization, says the effort will break down information silos and help USDA respond more quickly to challenges facing agriculture.
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NFU Urges More Action On Cattle Market
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the USDA’s new Ranchers First Initiative is a step in the right direction, but more action is needed to strengthen the U.S. cattle industry. Larew says improved risk protection tools, expanded credit, and new processing loans could help farmers and ranchers rebuild herds and compete in a cattle market increasingly dominated by large corporations. But he says one important piece is missing — country-of-origin labeling. “Our farmers and ranchers produce the safest, highest-quality beef in the world,” Larew says, “but without mandatory country-of-origin labeling, meatpackers can blend imported beef into products marketed as American.” Larew is urging the administration to support mandatory COOL and Congress to move legislation forward. He says a long-term commitment is needed to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd and create a fairer marketplace for independent cattle producers.
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More Reaction to EPA Refinery Exemptions
Farm and biofuel groups are reacting to the EPA’s decision to exempt 29 small refineries from 1.76 billion Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, under the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says farmers appreciate the administration’s commitment to fully reallocate the exempted credits, calling it important for protecting a stable market for family farmers. Clean Fuels Alliance America Vice President Kurt Kovarik says biofuel producers are working at record pace to meet RFS volumes and warns the industry needs confidence the program will continue supporting domestic production and rural investment. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley calls the EPA decision a significant improvement from what was expected and says full reallocation is critical. Grassley says, “You can expect I will work to hold the White House to its commitment of full reallocation.” EPA plans to propose reallocating the additional RINs into 2026 and 2027 requirements.
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Corn Use For Ethanol Climbs In July
Corn used for ethanol production increased four percent from a year ago in July, according to the USDA. The agency reports 474.7 million bushels of corn were used for fuel alcohol during the month, up two percent from June. Dry milling accounted for about 93 percent of total corn use, while wet milling represented roughly seven percent. USDA says dried distillers grains with solubles, or DDGS, production totaled 1.85 million tons, down one percent from July 2025. Distillers wet grains containing at least 65 percent moisture totaled 1.29 million tons, a nine percent increase from a year earlier. Wet mill corn gluten feed production fell two percent to nearly 251,000 tons. Meanwhile, wet corn gluten with moisture levels between 40 and 60 percent reached 210,120 tons, up ten percent year over year. The figures point to continued strong corn demand from the ethanol sector.
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Sorghum Leaders Strengthen Food Security Ties In China
National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust traveled to China recently as part of a U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council mission focused on food security, market intelligence, and customer relationships. Lust visited China from August 19 through 25 and represented the council during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, High-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Food Security. The event brought together nearly 150 representatives from governments, businesses, research institutions, and international organizations. Lust emphasized that resilient food systems require more than production. He pointed to reliable trade, infrastructure, research, technology, and trusted relationships throughout the grain value chain. He also highlighted sorghum as an option for production in areas facing heat and water limitations. Lust says the voluntary Sorghum Assurances Protocol demonstrates how producers, industry groups, and customers can work together to create credible market tools and strengthen confidence across the supply chain.
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Pork Industry Foundation Opens Scholarship Applications
The National Pork Industry Foundation is accepting applications for two scholarship programs aimed at developing the next generation of pork industry leaders. The Neil Dierks Scholarship and U.S. Pork Center of Excellence Swine Legacy Scholarships support undergraduate, graduate, and professional-track students pursuing careers related to pork and swine production. NPIF President Barb Determan says investing in students is an investment in the industry’s future. “We know the future of our industry is in good hands when we invest in the people who will carry it forward,” Determan said. The $5,000 Neil Dierks Scholarship honors the longtime National Pork Producers Council CEO and supports graduate students at land-grant universities whose studies directly support the pork industry. The USPCE Swine Legacy Scholarship awards three $5,000 scholarships annually. Eligible fields include research, education, veterinary science, and other areas supporting the swine industry. Applications for the 2027 scholarships are due December 4 for USPCE and December 18 for Neil Dierks.
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