As of June 14, 95% of the soybean crop in the nation’s top 18 soybean-growing states was in the ground. That’s ahead of the five-year average of 93%.
Farmers in Louisiana are done planting soybeans.
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River Queen Greens, as the name suggests, lies just outside of the levee blocking the Mississippi River, a 20-minute drive from downtown New Orleans. The farm produces certified naturally grown vegetables to sell to local restaurants and at farmers markets.
But summer is the farm’s off-season, which means it’s time for cover crops. One of the fields has already grown a lush crop of sunflowers that reach shoulder height.
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Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2026 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 3, 2026.
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The USDA has officially declared a number of parishes and counties in Louisiana and Arkansas disaster areas, and that impact is stretching into parts of Texas, too.
For farmers, it's been a tough stretch that started months ago. Many have been dealing with drought since last fall. On top of that, a winter storm hit making an already difficult situation even worse.
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More than 120 agricultural and conservation organizations are urging Congress to address staffing shortages at local USDA offices, warning that reduced personnel levels are making it harder for farmers and ranchers to access critical programs and services. In a letter to Senate agriculture appropriations leaders, 123 groups called for adequate fiscal year 2027 funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency.
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Federal and Texas state leaders held a news conference Monday afternoon in Kerrville, Texas, just hours after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of two new cases of New World screwworm within the nation’s borders. In front of large signage that boasted the “War on Screwworm,” the goal of the conference was to reassure livestock producers and other Americans that the government is taking a proactive stance against the spread of the infestations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday confirmed three additional cases of New World screwworm, including two in Texas, according to the agency's animal health arm.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on June 1, 2026, issued a disaster designation extends to 3 contiguous parishes in Louisiana, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding payment limitation and payment eligibility provisions that affect program payments including allowing for the equitable treatment of business entities. Additionally, producers will benefit from an increased payment limitation for certain programs, and a broader definition of farming income that will result in more exceptions to income limitations.
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Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins launched the Small Processors Action Plan (PDF, 2.3 MB), a new set of actions to better support small and very small meat and poultry processing plants, improve customer service, and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining strong food safety protections for consumers.
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The June 1, 2026 USDA NASS national crop progress database shows that while Louisiana's corn and cotton crops are steadily progressing, they have experienced different impacts from recent weather.
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The Agriculture Department announced a new Great American Cotton Plan on Thursday, saying it aims to strengthen cotton farm income, expand trade and increase demand for U.S.-grown cotton.
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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for June 2026, which are effective June 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
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