Oliver Ward

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

Multiple agricultural sectors are appealing to USTR for exemptions from proposals to increase costs for Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports to spur domestic shipbuilding. 

The U.S.’ window of opportunity to secure a trade deal with the United Kingdom could soon shrink, a trade policy analyst told lawmakers on Tuesday, as the Labour government mulls closer alignment with the European Union.

New EPA lead in California * Dems target GOP on SNAP * Farm groups want 199A permanent

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

Congressional Republicans return from a one-week recess under pressure to reach agreement on a budget reconciliation plan, while the Trump administration will listen to concerns about its push to promote domestic shipbuilding.

The White House issued an executive order to boost domestic production of a slate of minerals – including potash – but an industry analyst thinks the efforts are misplaced.

A Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, Florida Rep. Kat Cammack, says it’s “absolutely feasible” to put parts of the farm bill in a budget reconciliation measure, but that it probably couldn't happen until fiscal 2026.

Ag helps to block LCFS bill * Vineyard pullouts continue * Farm bill’s ‘arduous’ option * Shipbuilding proposals could cost ag