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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USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
Nearly everyone in the South Texas ag community appears extremely worried about the potential of a New World screwworm epidemic, according to a local veterinarian. RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports.
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.
Corn and wheat exports remain a demand bright spot, while soybeans are transitioning into a more typical late-winter shipping slowdown.
Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.