The Senate is still at work on President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” but they are also looking over next year’s budget. It includes the numbers for USDA, along with a nearly $25 billion cut proposed by the White House.
On the radar right now are the Farm Service Agency, NRCS, and the Forest Service. Combined, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the proposed cuts would come out to $23 billion, with the Forest Service seeing the largest decrease at more than 75 percent, but much of that would be transferred to the Interior Department.
SNAP is also under debate with possible cuts next year. Senator Chuck Grassley says cuts to SNAP could end leftover pandemic spending.
“We don’t have the pandemic now as the excuse for spending money. It seems to me it’s legitimate to go back to the program that was pre-pandemic. Otherwise, the pandemic has just been used as an excuse to spend more money, and we don’t need excuses to spend more money with the $36 trillion debt.”
In a call with reporters this week, Senator Grassley voiced support for the bill to bring whole milk back to public schools. Hours later, that bill was passed out of the Senate Ag Committee.
Market reaction was bearish for corn and soybeans, with analysts noting that abundant supplies amid tepid demand could keep price pressure on agricultural commodities.
January 12, 2026 03:51 PM
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Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.
January 10, 2026 07:00 AM
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Expanding chicken supplies are likely to keep prices under pressure in early 2026 despite steady demand growth.
January 09, 2026 11:00 AM
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AFBF Economist Faith Parum provides analysis and perspective on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program—what commodity growers should know and potential remedies for producers facing crop losses where that aid falls short.
January 08, 2026 02:45 PM
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Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
January 08, 2026 11:42 AM
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Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
January 08, 2026 08:00 AM
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