ALBERTA, CANADA (RFD NEWS) — The Trump Administration is moving to designate glyphosate and phosphorus as critical to national defense, a controversial step highlighted this week by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy. Kennedy acknowledged the toxicity of these chemicals in a recent post on X, but said their availability is essential to maintaining U.S. crop yields and supporting the nation’s agricultural system.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the implications for farmers.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Haney explained why the designation is being made, including the strategic importance of certain chemicals to food production, and addressed the significance of Kennedy—a longtime critic of pesticides—supporting the move.
Haney also discussed what this could mean for producers as the government and ag leaders accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture, noting that while the designation preserves immediate access to chemicals like glyphosate, it also underscores a push toward reducing long-term reliance on synthetic inputs.
Predator pressure and public lands policy were front and center at CattleCon.
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The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.
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Congressman Pete Stauber explains why the repeal of a Biden-era mining ban is good not only for his home state of Minnesota – it’s good for America.
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Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
February 06, 2026 12:36 PM
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Danny Munch of the American Farm Bureau joined us to discuss USDA’s latest farm income forecast, revisions to prior estimates, and what the updated data means for farmers heading into 2026.
February 06, 2026 12:27 PM
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Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), who sits on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, spoke exclusively with RFD NEWS about what Congress is doing to address screwworm concerns, including funding for a sterile fly production facility in Mexico.
February 06, 2026 12:07 PM
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