While testifying on Capitol Hill, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins spotlighted efforts to defend farmers and ranchers, including the dismissal of charges against South Dakota ranching family Charles and Heather Maude, and how USDA launched a new portal to report similar injustices, receiving over 100 submissions in just days.
The government has dropped federal criminal charges against the couple, which had been placed by the previous administration, claiming that they stole federal land for personal use.
Now, the matter is returned to where things stood before charges were brought.
Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law spoke with RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander about the Small Tracts Act, how it benefits producers, and the big takeaways for rural landowners.
The debate now matters as much as the policy — market rules and regulatory clarity depend on whether Congress can finish the bill this year.
February 22, 2026 03:00 PM
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Fed cattle numbers are down two percent in February, according to the latest USDA report. Marketings fell 13 percent, signaling continued pressure on beef prices in 2026.
February 20, 2026 03:38 PM
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Galynn Beer of Tidal Grow Agri-Science joined us to discuss challenges in fertility management, the benefits of Align-N, and what growers can expect at Commodity Classic next week.
February 20, 2026 01:26 PM
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Iowa farmer Derek Hommer joined us to discuss grain bin safety, ongoing prevention efforts, and the importance of community preparedness during Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week.
February 20, 2026 01:21 PM
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Tommy Roach with Nachurs Alpine Solutions discuss fertilizer decision-making, plant fertility strategies, and what farmers can learn at Commodity Classic.
February 20, 2026 12:05 PM
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New details on the massive wildfire threatening farms and ranches in the Southern Plains.
February 20, 2026 11:24 AM
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