AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
March 17, 2025
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
Congress Avoids Shutdown with CR through Fiscal Year: On March 14, the United States Senate was able to successully breach the 60 vote threshold to advance a continuing resolution (CR) and avoid a government shutdown. The CR provides mostly level spending to the federal government through the end of fiscal year on October 1. More...Politico | FoxNews | ProFarmer | WSJ | RollCall | Appropriations Tracker | CR Info
USDA Prepares to Deliver Economic Assistance Funding: With the avoidance of a federal government shutdown, USDA is now expected to quickly deliver on implementation of the $10 billion of economic assistance for farmers approved in the continuing resolution (CR) passed in December. The new program, named Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), is expected to operate similar to other past ad-hoc programs in the recent past that were based on basic formulas. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will have pre-filled applications delivered directly to farmers beginning this week. The USDA is also working to quickly deliver additional $20 billion in funding approved in the CR to assist with natural disasters. More...BrownfieldAgNews | USDA Announcement | USDA
Boozman Leads Hearings on Farm Economy and Farm Bill: U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee under the leadership of Senator John Boozman (R-AR) has held three hearings so far this year to focus on the farm economy and need to improve safety nets for producers. The hearings have featured a handful of Arkansans from the rowcrop sector, including Ag Council board members. The message among all witnesses was consistent and focused towards improving the farm bill safety net. The economic challenges continues to mount for the American farmer. The House has held similar meetings as well. More...March 11 Hearing | February 26 Hearing | February 5 Hearing
Congress, Courts, and Cabinet Secretaries Managing Through DOGE Actions: The so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) remains very active after skipping through various federal agencies to take actions to reduce government spending with workforce reductions, office closures, and other freezing or terminations of government programs. Many of the actions have been met with resistance from various angles including affected people, the courts, congress, and even cabinet secretaries. In some cases the actions have been overturned in part or in whole. However, the trend is expected to continue, and additional actions from DOGE are expected through deregulatory actions and further downsizing of bureaucracy. More...TalkBusiness | DTNPF | SuccessfulFarming | Agri-Pulse
Tariff Actions Launch from White House: President Trump has launched the first salvos of his tariff campaign to address what he views as unfair or unwise trade policies. The tariffs include Canada and Mexico as well as China and other countries. The tariff actions and threats have led to new negotiations and retaliations. Further escalation is expected in the coming weeks. More...YahooFinance Tariff Tracker | WSJ | AtlanticCouncil | UADA Analysis
MAHA Movement Advancing in Trump Administration: Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was confirmed and sworn in as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the administration has quickly launched into its Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda with policy discussions and actions. Multiple government agencies are expected to be involved in the discussions, including the USDA, FDA, and EPA. President Trump established the MAHA commission by executive order The policy actions are expected to address everything from food ingredients, nutrition guidelines and standards, to pesticide and medical regulatory policy and use guidelines. More...Ag Industry Letter | MAHA Commission EO | BrownfieldAgNews | Agri-Pulse
EPA Announces Deregulatory Actions: This week, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced substantial actions to launch deregulatory initiatives of the Trump EPA. Included in this first announcement on deregulation are 31 actions, including updates to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). More...EPA Announcement | WOTUS Page | AP | WSJ
BlackRock Part of Deal to Manage Panama Canal: In early March it was announced that a $23 billion deal was reached by an investment group led by BlackRock to buy Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holding's majority ownership of 45 port operations in over 20 countries, including the Panama Canal. The deal, which was welcome news to many in the United States who've expressed concern for China's growing influence and control over key ports and shipping infrastructure across the world. The Chinese government has expressed opposition to the deal. More...WSJ I| WSJ II | NYT | Axios
Other Ag Related News & Info from Washington:
Lawmakers Eye CCC Balance Levels for Farmer Support
What do Cotton Farmers Need in a New Farm Bill
Is Farming Really Worth It
It's Time for Economic Relief
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
Arkansas General Assembly Continues Legislative Session: The 95th Arkansas General Assembly continues to advance through its legislative session at the State Capitol in Little Rock with a target adjournment date of April 16. The activities of bill filings and committee actions on legislative proposals remain active. Over the next several weeks members will remain busy considering legislative proposals covering vast aspects of state laws, including areas that impact agriculture. We continue our advocacy efforts on matters impacting our members. More...Legislative Update Oppose HB1045
Other Arkansas News & Info Links:
I-55 Mississippi River Crossing Project Expected to Start in 2025
Governor Appoints Dep. Chief of Staff to UofA System Board of Trustees
Upcoming Meetings and Events:
Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony March 28 Little Rock Link to Luncheon Tickets | Ag Hall of Fame Homepage
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Accepting Century Farm Applications
Additional Arkansas Ag Resources:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
NALC Newsletter "The Feed"
Arkansas Vegetative Drought Geospatial Maps
DeltaPlastics Push4Pickup App
Crop Residue Field Burning Smoke Management FIRESMART App
Arkansas Farm Bueau AgCast Podcast
USDA AMS Service Rates
Arkansas Department of Ag Calendar
Ag Council Leadership Opportunities
Apply for Service on State Boards & Commissions
Arkansas Rice Research & Promotion Board
Arkansas Soybean Research & Promotion Board
Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Research & Promotion Board
Arkansas Wheat Research & Promotion Board
USDA NRCS Arkansas Offices
USDA Land Value & Cash Rent Estimates
Arkansas Crops Update
UADA Crop Budgets (2025) | UADA Crop Profit/Loss Calculator App
AcreHedge Crop Budget App
UADA Verification Information
Arkansas Rice Research Studies Report for 2023
Arkansas Row Crop Risk Management
Pine Tree Discoloration & Mortality Reporting
Feral Hog Task Force
Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines
Digital Edition of Delta Farm Press
H-2A Guidebook by Congressman Crawford
Enrollment Link: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
Climate Smart Grant Opportunities Dashboard
ECONOMIC & INDUSTRY NEWS
March USDA WASDE Report: On March 11, USDA issued a World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report and Crop Production Report. The reports showcase supply and demand estimates for major crops and include anticipated production. The data produced in the August report furthered the expectation of a large yield across the United States for most commodities. More...WASDE Report | Secretary Briefing (Slides | Video) | Visual Summary | U.S. Crop Production Report
StoneX WASDE Overview: https://stonex.wistia.com/medias/vzrbezhhye Password: jx982lq
Other Market News & Info:
March 14 ProFarmer Newsletter
Richard Brock's Presentation at Farm & Gin Show
Joe Nicosia's Presentation at Farm & Gin Show
Other USDA Reports:
- Cotton System
- Cotton System - Ann.
- Fats & Oils
- Fats & Oils - Ann.
- Grain Crushings
- Cotton Ginnings
- Crop Production
- Price Reactions after USDA Crop Reports
- North American Grain and Oilseed Crushings
Other links of Interest:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
Morning Coffee & Ag Markets Podcast from UADA Economists
DTN Commodity Market Insights
Nutrien Ag Solutions Weather Reports
UADA Fundamentals of Federal Crop Insurance
FarmJournal ProFarmer Newsletter
USA Rice Daily
RiceStuff Podcast Homepage
Entergy Agri Desk
Jarrod Hardke's Arkansas Rice Report
Arkansas-Crops Blog
UADA Ag News Blog
USDA County Cash Rent Estimates
Arkansas Economic Profile: 2024 Pocket Facts - News | USDA Arkansas Ag Economic Overview | Arkansas Ag Census Data | Arkansas Historical Data | Arkansas Farms & Land Report | Arkansas Land Values & Cash Rent Report | Arkansas Farm Labor Report
UofA Crop Updates | UofA Land Grant Research & Extension Service Video
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