Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins laid out her plan to reorganize USDA last week, but many say they were caught off guard by the announcement. Now, lawmakers want answers.
Happening at 11:00 AM Eastern, the Senate Ag Committee will get to question Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden, the sole witness for the hearing. Senators John Boozman and Amy Klobuchar both said the consolidation plan came as a surprise. In a statement shortly after Rollins’ announcement, Senator Boozman said the best way to serve the U.S. ag community is by working together.
Secretary Rollins plans to close several USDA buildings in Washington, D.C., including one with more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance. Employees at those facilities would be split among five regional hubs across the United States.
Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar was one of the first to call for a congressional hearing, warning the reorganization would set U.S. agriculture back.
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Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses industry reactions to the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, the Surface Transportation Board’s review process, and current conditions on the Mississippi River.
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Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
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Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage Two will disburse around $16 billion, approved by Congress last year. Sign-ups begin Monday, and producers have until April to return applications.
November 21, 2025 11:48 AM
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Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
November 21, 2025 10:30 AM
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Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
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