Articles by Steve Davies

Welcome to another tariff deadline week in Washington. President Donald Trump says Wednesday is “the big one.” That’s when he’s expected to unveil his plan for reciprocal duties on U.S. trade partners that apply higher tariff rates than the U.S., although the messaging around the scope of the new duties has been mixed.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will eliminate 20,000 employees and cut HHS’ regional offices in half as part of what the department calls a “dramatic restructuring.”

Salmon strategy progress * Why auto tariffs may matter to ag * Shipbuilding plan could hike produce prices

The fate of an $8 billion program that funds internet services in rural areas and schools is now formally before the Supreme Court, which seemed inclined to uphold its constitutionality after arguments Wednesday.

Fining abandoned orchards * SWP allocations up 5% * Russia wants more in cease-fire talks

Farmers who have benefited from programs providing locally grown foods to food pantries and schools are struggling with USDA’s recent termination of the programs, a decision that also has prompted protests from Democratic lawmakers.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins teased on Friday that she will have a major announcement involving farmers coming soon. Rollins posted on X an interview with Fox News in which she expressed confidence that farmers overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump even though they knew they might be harmed by retaliatory tariffs.

Williamson Act on the table * Rollins teases trade announcement * Industry concerned about shipbuilding proposals

Bill Beam, Aubrey Bettencourt and Pat Swanson have been named to lead USDA's Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency, respectively.

Agriculture Department officials said Thursday they're focusing their efforts to fight the bird flu on biosecurity in poultry flocks, particularly egg-laying operations, as they seek to lower egg prices.