President Donald Trump‘s proposed government worker buyout has some worried about potential losses at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). That proposal is now tied up in court, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says his office has taken a lot of calls. He says it is ultimately up to the courts.
“We’re getting a lot of calls, maybe last week 400-500 on this whole process. I don’t think that this Boston judge is the final word,” Sen. Grassley said. “I think the Administration is going to appeal a lot of these decisions, and they should appeal them. If they appeal them and win, then we know that the process can go on.”
The Trump Administration says it will appeal that judge’s decision. At last check, over 65,000 federal employees had opted into the buyout.
Treat financial stress as a health risk—know the warning signs, normalize conversations, and connect farm families to local and national support early.
October 07, 2025 11:29 AM
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Congress has just over a month of working days left for the year. Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
October 07, 2025 11:09 AM
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Focus on home radon testing—not changing your diet—because background sources vastly outweigh any exposure from naturally radioactive foods.
October 06, 2025 01:29 PM
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Jack Daniel’s will end its Cow Feeder Program, which served around 100 livestock operations near the distillery, and redirect spent grains to its anaerobic digester.
October 06, 2025 12:33 PM
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Prepare for acute UAN risk and a brief urea shock; maintain steady ammonia and phosphate plans, and monitor potash basis on the coasts.
October 06, 2025 11:56 AM
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Software developers at John Deere Digital are addressing challenges with their new Operations Center, which helps farmers make decisions on the fly.
October 06, 2025 11:51 AM
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“A government shutdown impacts all Americans and has serious consequences, including for farmers. It just adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services.”
October 06, 2025 11:23 AM
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Agricultural exports continue to be a key contributor to rural employment. However, rural businesses still struggle to fill numerous job openings.
October 06, 2025 10:46 AM
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Farm debt is climbing to record levels at ag banks, reflecting pressure on crop producers’ finances even as livestock and land values lend stability to the sector.
October 03, 2025 03:53 PM
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