Federal Updates

From Successful Farming/Reuters Sept. 14 (Reuters) – Railroad fuel surcharges on U.S. grain shipments have more than doubled over the past year, rippling through the farm belt and raising transportation costs as many farmers also struggle with higher production costs. The average fuel surcharge rate on grain shipments climbed to…

From the Capital Press The top official at USDA’s Farm Service Agency has this advice for farmers impacted by wildfire, or any disaster: Document everything. “Probably the most important thing you can do is go out and take pictures,” said Bill Beam, agency administrator, during a wildfire impact roundtable discussion…

From PNW Ag Network Time is running short in Washington, D.C., to pass a Farm Bill in 2026.  The House passed their version of the legislation earlier this year, but the Senate has failed to address the topic, after its farm bill legislation failed to clear the Senate Ag Committee. And while lawmakers have approved $12 billion to help…

University of Maryland researchers Nidhi Rawat and Vijay Tiwari contributed to breakthrough research led by Subhashree Subramanyam at USDA-ARS, West Lafayette, Indianna, and Bikram Gill at Kansas State University on cloning of a hessian fly resistance gene in wheat that makes wheat resistant to predation by Hessian fly larvae and…

From Successful Farming Average prices of fertilizers and diesel fuel are higher as the fall harvest season approach compared with the past two years. Higher fuel prices will increase fuel costs associated with harvest activities for the 2026 crop. Higher fertilizer prices will increase the cost of fall fertilizer applications…

Following the Aug. 6 Senate Agriculture Committee markup, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) called on committee leaders to quickly resume bipartisan negotiations and reconvene to advance a comprehensive farm bill. The legislation failed to advance on a 10–11 vote amid continued disagreement over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provisions,…

From agriculture.com The corn, soybean, and wheat markets have been more active in 2026 than the previous two years. In 2024 and 2025, you did not really have a good opportunity to sell ahead at an acceptable profit. But, in 2026, farmers have had the opportunity to sell new-crop ahead,…

From the Capital Press American Farm Bureau Federation economists expect agricultural losses will deepen in 2027, leaving farmers needing more federal aid. Difficult market conditions, including below-breakeven prices, are forecast to continue for significant specialty crops and all major row crops. Read the rest of the article here.

Last month, growers had the opportunity to ask questions to Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), chair of the House Agriculture Committee, during a virtual meeting hosted by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.). A group of ag stakeholders gathered at the AgWest Farm Credit building in Airway Heights, Wash., with Baumgartner, while…

At the end of May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced eligible landowners have from June 1 until Aug. 31, 2026, to review and consider base acre increases on farms enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, as authorized…