September 23, 2026 

Belarus Potash Proposal Raises Questions About Supply And Cost

The Trump administration’s proposal to purchase potash from Belarus (BELL-ah-roos) is raising questions about the cost and logistics of supplying U.S. farmers. President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is working on a “massive deal” to buy Belarusian potash at a price substantially below what the U.S. currently pays Canada. Canada supplies roughly 80 percent of U.S. potash imports. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe questioned whether Belarusian potash could actually be cheaper, noting Belarus is landlocked, and shipments would need to move through Russia before reaching the United States. Belarus has also faced sanctions and lost its main export route through Lithuania, adding to transportation challenges. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (loo-kah-SHEN-koh) has said his country resumed potash sales to the United States after Washington eased sanctions on Belarusian producers. However, it remains unclear how significantly Belarus could increase shipments to the U.S. For farmers, the proposal could provide another potential source of a key fertilizer nutrient.

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Farmers Differ On Benefits Of Artificial Intelligence

Farmers in the United States and Argentina have sharply different views about the benefits of artificial intelligence and other data-driven tools in agriculture. A recent Purdue University survey found 23 percent of U.S. producers identified increased production as the main benefit of AI. In comparison, 14 percent cited reduced labor and 11 percent pointed to reduced risk or uncertainty. More than half, 52 percent, said they saw no meaningful benefit for their operation. Argentine farmers were more positive. Increased production accounted for 37 percent of responses, followed by reduced risk or uncertainty at 28 percent, and reduced labor at 14 percent. Just 21 percent reported no meaningful benefit. The researchers say differences in survey design mean the comparison should be viewed cautiously. They also note that U.S. farmers may question whether AI recommendations are practical to follow, with 63 percent saying recommendations would sometimes be difficult to implement.

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Financial Pressure Persists For Corn And Soybean Farmers

A new survey of corn and soybean farmers finds financial pressure remains high despite recent improvements in commodity prices. The National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association report nearly two-thirds of growers are moderately or very concerned about the farm economy. Forty-six percent say they are more concerned about their farm financial situation than they were a year ago. The survey of 1,200 farmers, conducted by Farm Journal, found that recent grain price improvements have not eliminated concerns about high input costs. Growers also say expectations for the 2026 crop leave little room to absorb additional increases in production expenses. NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson says stronger corn prices can improve sentiment, but farm profitability doesn’t reset with one market move or crop year. ASA Chief Economist Scott Gerlt says the results show how little margin for error farmers have, noting the cost of putting a crop in the ground remains high.

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Dairy Checkoff Targets Families Through Consumer Campaigns

The dairy checkoff is using two national consumer strategies to keep dairy in front of families during key moments in their daily lives. Dairy Management Incorporated is activating its We Are Family and First 1,000 Days programs through the fall. We Are Family connects with families during meal planning and grocery shopping, while First 1,000 Days focuses on parents during pregnancy and the earliest years of a child’s life. DMI Chair Marilyn Hershey says reaching consumers means being relevant to their lives and meeting them where they are. She says the programs reach parents while they’re planning meals, shopping for their families, or thinking about nutrition for their children. Now in its third year, We Are Family runs through October and reaches consumers through retail-connected media at Walmart, Costco, and, for the first time, Sam’s Club. The strategy uses digital and social media, video and creator content to reach families.

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Sugar Alliance Says Outdated Tariffs Hurt U.S. Producers

The American Sugar Alliance says sugar markets are heavily distorted by government subsidies and trade protections, creating challenges for U.S. producers. The group points to Brazil, India, and Thailand, which account for about 70 percent of global sugar exports, and says their government support can encourage production beyond domestic demand. The alliance says surplus sugar can enter world markets at prices below production costs. The group says that has consequences for American sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers. It estimates producers have lost more than $3 billion in potential income over the past two years because of subsidized, over-quota foreign sugar. U.S. sugar imports are managed through tariff-rate quotas, with duties applied above imports over the quota amounts. USDA data confirms the U.S. system includes over-quota tariffs. The alliance says those tariffs have not been updated in 26 years and is calling for them to be modernized to reflect current conditions.

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Sorghum Producers Seek China Trade Certainty

The National Sorghum Producers is asking the Trump administration to make U.S. sorghum a priority during next week’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24. In a letter, the group called for sorghum to be included among non-sensitive goods covered by a proposed U.S.-China Board of Trade. It also wants China to eliminate its ten percent retaliatory duty on U.S. sorghum and establish an enforceable annual purchase commitment of five million to seven million metric tons. NSP also urged the administration to ensure Section 301 port fees on Chinese vessels don’t increase shipping costs or disrupt agricultural exports. The group says China has historically purchased close to 80 percent of U.S. sorghum exports, making that market important to growers. NSP Chair Amy France says farmers need purchase commitments that result in actual sales and grain moving from U.S. farms to China.

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