Submit comment or question
Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.
Comment Policy: Urner Barry has made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. In all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by Urner Barry.
Email Address is required. Password is required.
Farm Bureau Calls on House Agriculture Committee to Pass Farm Bill
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today commented on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
“Farmers appreciate the work Chairman G.T. Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee have done in drafting a new, modernized farm bill. It will provide much-needed certainty for farmers who are facing record high expenses and historically low crop prices.
“The bill updates important food and farm programs, enhances conservation efforts, bolsters assistance to specialty crops, and makes critical investments in agricultural research. We urge House Agriculture Committee members to...
USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Farmer Bridge Payments
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, providing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The FBA enrollment period opens Feb. 23 and closes April 17, 2026.
“Improving the farm economy is our top priority at USDA, and we have simplified and streamlined the application process for the bridge program to ensure producers get the financial assistance they need as quickly as possible as we’re kicking off the spring planting season. President Trump continues to put farmers first. If our farmers are not economically able to continue
Farmers Appreciate Focus on Supply Chain Issues
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s executive order to boost production of certain crop protection tools.
“AFBF appreciates the administration for affirming that food security is national security. Phosphate fertilizers and effective products reviewed and approved by the EPA enable farmers to protect the health of their crops while using fewer natural resources. A strong domestic supply chain reduces dependence on foreign imports and helps ensure continued access to tools that contribute to the success of farmers who grow the food and fiber America’s families rely on...
OKFB Members Discuss MAHA, Legislative Outlook at Annual Leadership Conference
Oklahoma Farm Bureau members made the trek to Oklahoma City for the organization’s annual leadership conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
More than 150 members had the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and fellowship with other Farm Bureau members and state legislators during the one-day event as they honed their leadership skills and received updates on several top issues facing agriculture.
The conference kicked off with an update on the Make America Healthy Again initiative with Corteva’s Warren Mayberry and John Campbell of the Southern Crop Production...
USDA: Joint Op-ed in Newsweek "President Trump Is Strengthening Farmers’ Rights"
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Small Business Administrator (SBA) Kelly Loeffler, and U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin published a joint opinion piece in Newsweek highlighting how President Trump is strengthening farmers' rights, cutting regulations, and lowering costs.
“Earlier this week, the Trump administration set the record straight on the right to repair, paving the way for annual operating costs on the farm to drop by 10 percent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released guidance to manufacturers reaffirming the agency’s position that...
USDA Trade Mission Expands Opportunities for US Agricultural Exports to Indonesia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia next week to expand market access, boost American agricultural exports, and take advantage of the new opportunities created by the U.S.-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.
Led by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg, the mission is scheduled for Feb. 2 through 6, 2026, and includes 41 agribusinesses, trade organizations and representatives from three state departments of agriculture.
“This mission is a chance for us to turn the opportunities of the landmark Indonesia trade deal into real sales for American farmers...
Agricultural Groups Sound Alarm about Farmers’ Future
Agriculture groups sound an alarm about the economic crisis in rural America in a letter sent today to Congress. 56 organizations representing a cross-section of agriculture signed the letter, sending a strong message to Congress.
The letter describes an existential threat looming over many farms, stating, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and growers are facing extreme economic pressures that threaten the long-term viability of the U.S. agriculture sector. An alarming number of farmers are financially underwater, farm bankruptcies continue to climb, and many farmers may have difficulty securing financing to grow their next crop.”
Farm losses are the result of a multitude of challenges...
USDA Announces Commodity Payment Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
Eligible producers to receive pre-filled program applications and payments in February
Today [December 31, 2025], U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As announced earlier this month by President Trump and Secretary Rollins, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments. This is in response to four years of disastrous Biden administration policies that created record-high input and production costs...
Farmers, Producers, and Ag Leaders Praise President Trump’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today highlighted the outpouring of support from governors, commodity groups, farm bureaus, and agriculture industry leaders across the country following President Trump’s announcement of $12 billion in Farmer Bridge Assistance Program payments. As producers battle historic market disruptions, rising input costs, and the lingering effects of foreign trade manipulation, agriculture leaders are praising the administration’s swift action to deliver relief and strengthen the farm safety net. Below is a compilation of what they are saying about this critical support for...
Farm Bureau: Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines
Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family will cost less than last year, marking the third straight year of price declines. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of Thanksgiving staples that make up a classic holiday feast for 10, which is $55.18 or about $5.52 per person.
This is a 5% decrease from 2024. Three years of declines don’t fully erase dramatic increases that led to a record-high cost of $64.05 in 2022.
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey...
Renewable Fuel Proposal Would Benefit Drivers and Farmers
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on an EPA proposal to reallocate renewable fuel production that will be lost to small refinery exemptions.
“Renewable fuels are an important tool in meeting America’s domestic energy needs. EPA’s proposal takes a positive step toward strengthening the Renewable Fuel Standard and reinforcing the role farmers play in growing crops for biofuels. By addressing small refinery exemptions through reallocation, the agency is pursuing policies that promote energy independence through American-grown fuels.
“Farm Bureau urges EPA to adopt a full...
Syngenta and PepsiCo Reward Farmers for Regenerative Farming Practices
Syngenta, leader in technology and innovation in agriculture, and PepsiCo, global leader in food and beverages, are working in collaboration with the aim of boosting regenerative and traceable agriculture in the food industry value chain in a transparent and verifiable way.
During the first year of joint work, Syngenta provided PepsiCo with 4,000 tons of sunflower oil from fields of farmers in the province of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, San Luis and Santa Fe, who applied regenerative agriculture practices.
In a second stage, it is expected to increase...
FEATURED STORIES
How the US‑Iran Conflict Is Affecting Global Commodity Markets
ANALYSIS: Australia, New Zealand Beef Trade on Alert as Middle East Flashpoint Deepens
ANALYSIS: US Pork Market Monitors Indirect Effects of Middle East Tensions
ANALYSIS: Middle East Conflict’s Potential Effects on US Beef Exports
ANALYSIS: Middle East Conflict Impacts Shipping Routes for EU Pork Exports