President Trump is approaching 100 days in Office, and there have been a lot of changes to the government workforce, with more potentially on the way.
Citing a report from Government Executive, House Ag Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig says any more potential cuts to agriculture would be devastating.
“In Minnesota, and I know across this country, haphazard layoffs at USDA are jeopardizing our ability to serve farmers and keep our Ag system the safest and most productive in the world.”
USDA has said any cuts to the Department would target duplicate roles. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley has been watching the situation unfold and says whatever happens, he hopes it lifts up rural America.
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Meat stocks rose seasonally but remain below last year overall, while tighter butter inventories could support dairy prices, and belly stocks warrant close watch for pork markets.
Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.
Rising import pressure and tougher export competition are likely to persist into 2026, supporting domestic supplies while capping export growth.
Without additional support, many soybean operations will continue to face financial stress as they prepare for the 2026 crop.
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.