Farmer Survey Response Decline a Growing Problem

Countless stakeholders including farmers, university Extension services, researchers and policymakers rely on the data USDA has collected for more than 150 years through agencies and programs including the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the Economic Research Service (ERS).

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Allie Shipley
Do You Know This Horse?

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in finding the owner of the horse seen in the pictures below.

NPSO said the horse was found on Wilson Basco Road between Derry and Gorum.

The horse is currently being held safely at the Natchitoches Detention Center.

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Ag-Powered Fuels: 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) made several important changes to the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z). Most notably, it extended the credit through 2029, providing biofuels producers with an additional two years of investment beyond the original 2027 expiration date. While the credit still has no requirements to pass through any of the credit to farmers and feedstock producers, the OBBBA clarified key provisions related to feedstock eligibility, emissions measurement and credit calculation, which are especially relevant for U.S. farmers. This Market Intel analyzes what the changes to 45Z mean for farmers.

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Senate Agriculture Committee Reviews Key USDA Nominees This Week

On Wednesday, July 23, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing for Richard Fordyce, the nominee to serve as Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area.  

Fordyce, a Missouri farmer and former Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is widely respected across the agriculture community for his leadership and hands-on experience in farm policy and conservation.

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USDA Water and Climate Update: July 24, 2025

Hazardous heat has impacted millions of residents in the Plains, Southeast, and Midwest regions this week after a heat dome formed from the Gulf Coast to the Plains on July 22. The sweltering conditions pushed into the Midwest between July 23-24, and are expected to impact the Northeast by July 25. High humidity from the weather pattern is raising overnight temperatures in the area, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses for residents. The oppressive heat is expected to linger in the Plains and Southeast through next week.

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Secretary Rollins Announces USDA Reorganization, Restoring the Department’s Core Mission of Supporting American Agriculture

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), refocusing its core operations to better align with its founding mission of supporting American farming, ranching, and forestry.

Over the last four years, USDA’s workforce grew by 8%, and employees’ salaries increased by 14.5% - including hiring thousands of employees with no sustainable way to pay them.

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USDAdon molino
President Trump Opens Australian Market To U.S. Beef In Win For American Cattlemen

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that for the first time in 20 years, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef, ending decades of bureaucratic red tape and prolonged negotiations that have prevented American cattle producers from accessing the Australian market. NCBA thanks President Donald J. Trump for delivering yet another trade win for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.

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Livestockdon molino
The Farmer's Forecast: More Rain Thursday through Saturday

The National Hurricane Center has highlighted an area of potential tropical development near the northern Gulf Coast. I don’t think it will develop, but I do expect elevated rain chances from Thursday through Saturday across Louisiana. The highest rain chances and amounts will be in the southern half of the state, but I think everyone will see at least some rain by the time the weekend is over. 

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Trump Trade Deal With Japan Promises Market Access For U.S. Rice

Yesterday evening, President Donald Trump announced the freshly inked trade agreement with Japan that would allow for additional duty-free sales of U.S. rice. USA Rice supports Trump’s major milestone in U.S.-Japan agricultural trade relations and creating new opportunities for U.S. rice exports. The agreement follows just a few short months of negotiation stemming from the Liberation Day announcement on April 2, 2025.

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Ricedon molino