Later today, Congress will begin marking up bills for the budget reconciliation, and there is a lot at stake for the ag sector as both chambers have been tasked with cutting billions of dollars.
The Senate Budget Committee is looking at cutting around $5 billion over the next decade, with a billion of that coming from agriculture. House leaders say they will reject that plan, insisting their own bill addresses each of President Trump’s agenda items.
A recent budget release from the White House shows the House Ag Committee must cut $230 billion over the next ten years. It also calls for $100 billion in new military spending, with $90 billion for border security.
Related Stories
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.