AGP Executive Report

Farm Income Watch: USDA data shows Washington state’s earned income jumped from -$238M in 2024 to about $1.27B in 2025, with shifts like inventory adjustments and slower farm/acre losses helping explain the rebound. AI for Field Decisions: Farmers Business Network is teaming with Google’s AI Futures Fund to build farm-specific “agents” that connect agronomy, equipment, finances, and grain marketing into executable actions. Grain Markets & Weather: Corn and soy trade is mixed as harvest advances in parts of the Corn Belt and traders look ahead to USDA data; quality issues and wet/drier swings keep sentiment choppy. Diesel Relief vs. Costs: Multiple reports highlight how soaring diesel prices and fuel access are squeezing harvest budgets, even as some regions push temporary tax relief and waivers. Water & Power Pressure: From Australia’s irrigation policy debates to farmers in Telangana renting diesel generators for tube wells, the theme is clear: energy and water uncertainty is reshaping what growers can plant and how they can harvest. Global Produce Trade: Spain’s Murcia region logged a record €566M agri-food export run to the UK (+18.8%), while Kenya’s avocado and vegetable exporters tout China-linked logistics and zero-tariff access. Plant Health & Inputs: Research points to biodegradable nanoparticle delivery of gibberellic acid boosting grape yield and quality, while growers also face disease and nutrient concerns.

Fuel Relief for Farmers: President Trump signed an executive order allowing red-dyed diesel on U.S. highways through Dec. 31, aiming to cut harvest-season costs; Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urged governors to follow, as record diesel prices weigh on farm budgets. Seed Security Push: USDA announced a $180M Seed Sovereignty Initiative to sequence thousands of plant varieties and strengthen U.S. genetic resources for drought, disease and pest resilience. Crop Progress Watch: Illinois reported limited fieldwork after a wet September, with corn and soybean harvest still ahead of the five-year average but moisture short in parts of the state. Soil Health Training: Purdue and Michigan State Extension will host a Soil Health Nexus In-Service in Indiana focused on cover crops, water management and farm resilience. Plant Biosecurity: China’s Gongbei Customs seized peony plants and palm-family seeds from travelers, warning that unapproved plant imports can spread pests and diseases. Livestock Feed Pressure: The Philippines Department of Agriculture proposed more than doubling corn imports under its MAV quota to protect hog and poultry feed supplies ahead of El Niño. Extension & Pest Control: Guyana delivered $60M in vehicles to NAREI to boost extension services and surveillance for the Carambola Fruit Fly. Fire Risk to Farms: Helicopters and crews battled a vegetation fire near Queenstown, with the blaze growing to about 1,200 hectares and smoke affecting nearby communities.

Food Security & Trade: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture wants to more than double corn imports under its MAV quota to 500,000 metric tons from 220,000, warning El Niño could push feed costs higher and squeeze hog and poultry farmers. Climate Risk & Farm Support: The same country says it has buffers for Super El Niño—75 days of rice, 125 days of chicken, 170 days of pork and 90 days of corn—while rolling out solar irrigation, solar pumps and extra biofertilizers. Water & Soil Prep: In Mindoro and nearby provinces, DA urged farmers to conserve water, keep irrigation systems running, and boost soil moisture with organic matter and biofertilizers as drought risk grows. Rural Cooperation: CAP Network Ireland launched a booklet highlighting how farmer and rural stakeholder cooperation is driving change, from organic supply chains to biodiversity and local food production. Energy for Farms: Poland’s Axpo-backed biomethane injection project in Komorowo uses manure and slurry, with digestate returned as organic fertilizer. Farm Costs & Safety: Diesel prices and harvest pressure are hitting U.S. producers, while Michigan reports 114 farm-equipment crashes this year and urges safer road moves. Ag Tech Reality Check: A precision-ag adoption push in North Dakota says farmers adopt tech when it solves problems—not just because it exists.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Indiana lawmakers backed Gov. Mike Braun’s move to suspend special fuel restrictions for off-road diesel, aiming to blunt harvest-season costs as diesel nears $7 a gallon. Harvest Weather Watch: Midwest growers report mixed conditions—cool, wet weather slowed Michigan harvest; heavy rains damaged some northwest Missouri corn; central Illinois farmers cite excess rain and heat hurting yields; Wisconsin harvest is starting with soybeans and corn looking strong in parts. Wheat Import Pressure: South Africa’s winter wheat harvest is pegged at an eight-year low, pushing likely 2026-27 wheat imports higher. Local Food Systems: Madison, Wisconsin opened a Foodshed Partnership facility to help local produce reach restaurants, schools, and pantries at scale. Farm Policy & Resilience: Philippines provinces are planning drought-tolerant crop shifts for “Super El Niño,” including mung bean and corn after rice harvest. Tech for Field Efficiency: Idaho National Laboratory’s FieldSim is being commercialized in Montana to optimize tractor drive paths and cut input waste. Hemp Regulation Fight: A new Pennsylvania GOP senator is championing tighter hemp rules, including age limits and safety testing.

El Niño Drought Prep (Philippines): Romblon officials are planning drought-tolerant crop support for a “Super El Niño,” including distributing mung bean and corn seed after rice harvest to keep farmers producing with less water. Renewables + Farm Resilience (Global): A new study finds wind and solar projects can boost rural economies, though it also flags rising local permitting and farmland concerns. Input Costs Hit Harvest (U.S.): Diesel prices are pushing past $6 a gallon as harvest starts, and railroads have raised grain shipping surcharges—costs that can land back on farmers. Food Security + Nutrition (Pakistan): FAO warns Pakistan’s food system isn’t delivering healthy diets for most people, urging nutrition guideline updates, school meal support, and limits on marketing unhealthy foods. Trade + Fertilizer Pressure (Middle East/Global): The ICC warns Hormuz Strait disruptions could spike fertilizer and grain prices by up to 80%, compounding Black Sea and El Niño risks. Local Crop Adaptation (Nepal): Mahottari farmers are leaning on elephant-foot yam after heavy rain damaged other vegetables, using its lower irrigation needs and longer storage. Ag Policy (Egypt): Egypt’s prime minister reviewed fertilizer availability and tighter oversight to ensure subsidized inputs reach eligible farmers.

Climate Adaptation Funding: France’s farm climate adaptation plan is under strain as drought and heatwaves pile up losses, with farmers saying compensation still falls short. Import Rules: Saudi Arabia tightens fruit and vegetable imports, requiring pre-shipment permits and stricter pesticide and quarantine compliance. Soil Health Basics: A practical push for fall soil testing aims to cut spring guesswork on lime and fertilizer by using lab results. Energy for Rural Areas: China-backed projects in Moldova would add four photovoltaic plants plus energy storage, with broader cooperation including agricultural processing. Food Security Planning: The Philippines’ agriculture department is stocking rice and inputs and expanding warehouses ahead of a potential “super El Niño,” alongside fuel support. Farm Safety Alternative: California’s Pajaro Valley is testing steam soil treatment as a possible substitute for fumigation, with results tracked through next year. Market Power Pressure: Australia’s small banana grower warns supermarket supply-chain centralization could squeeze family farms out. Grain Logistics: Louis Dreyfus reopens Indiana’s Burns Harbor grain terminal, restoring export and storage capacity for corn and soy. Farmer Protest Over MSP: India’s rabi MSP hike sparks backlash from farmer groups, arguing it won’t cover real production costs.

Food Security & Trade: Ukraine’s grain deadlock is still pushing global food prices higher, with analysts warning of a steep rise as Black Sea shipping remains constrained. Climate & Risk Management: Zimbabwe is deploying three aircraft for cloud seeding to prepare for a below-normal rainy season, while the Philippines’ Bicol region is rolling out a P3.3B El Niño aid package covering insurance, irrigation, seeds and machinery. Farmer Costs & Access to Finance: In the UK, Derbyshire farmers call the hottest summer “the hardest in generations,” citing fuel and fertilizer bills and a margin squeeze; in Uganda, cassava growers may get a market boost as a Kamuli processing plant moves toward full-scale production. Sustainable Inputs & Value Chains: Nigeria’s Nestlé/MAGGI regenerative soybean work is expanding local sourcing and yields, and Reliance Industries is pitching major Andhra Pradesh investments in CBG plants and a Rayalaseema horticulture hub. Pest & Plant Health: Croatia renews warnings on grapevine flavescence dorée, urging owners to inspect and destroy infected vines. On-the-ground Agriculture: Kazakhstan says grain harvest is nearing 20M tons despite dry weather, even as it sets procurement prices for the new crop.

Climate Risk & Drought Response: The Philippines’ DA Bicol is rolling out a P3.3 billion package for farmers and fisherfolk as El Niño looms, including crop insurance payouts, irrigation support, certified rice seeds, and drought-tolerant crops. Farmers Under Pressure: In northern Nigeria, kidnappings are pulling farmers away from fields and threatening food security, with tens of farmers abducted during harvest. Power Reliability: Paddy farmers in India’s Kamareddy area staged protests after erratic electricity cut irrigation during critical growth stages, demanding faster fixes. Food Safety & Training: Bangladesh’s agriculture minister urged safer food production and technical education, warning that heavy pesticide use is linked to serious health impacts for farming communities. Soil Health Wins: A Minnesota farm was named a 2026 conservationist award winner for cover crops, no-till, and precise nutrient and irrigation management. US Farm Support: USDA’s Farm Service Agency is offering low-interest physical loss loans for producers hit by earlier Midwest natural disasters. Market Watch: Euronext wheat extended gains on export hopes, but Black Sea shipping disruptions remain a key driver.

Food Security & Reserves: Jordan says wheat and barley stocks can cover roughly 6–10 months via warehouse holdings plus contracted imports, but officials are now asking how to boost local production, not just rely on storage. Ag Investment & Value Chains: Oman says 12 localized ag projects worth OMR97.4m and 13 investment opportunities worth OMR122.8m are being pushed through Invest Oman to strengthen food security and domestic value chains. Sustainable Farming Research: A new U.S./Canada study reports regenerative practices can match conventional yields and profits while boosting soil carbon capture and biodiversity—an argument for “cultural change,” not just new techniques. Fertilizer Smarter Testing: Researchers propose a cheaper phosphorus test targeting DNA-bound phosphorus to cut fertilizer waste and reduce runoff that fuels algal blooms. Commodity Watch: Wheat stayed under pressure as Black Sea shipping efforts intensified, while corn weakened after USDA data showed higher stocks. Farm Policy Pressure: India’s rabi season faces uncertainty as El Niño strengthens and monsoon rains fell well below normal, raising risks for sowing and yields. Local Support Programs: Wisconsin opened applications for its Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants (up to $200,000) to fund processing, marketing, and distribution of locally grown foods. On-the-Ground Risks: In the West Bank, Israeli forces blocked olive harvesters near Beita, with UN warnings about rising access restrictions during harvest season.

Food Safety: The U.S. FDA closed its cyclospora lettuce investigation, saying it found strong links to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms’ Mexico unit, though it couldn’t pinpoint exactly how contamination happened. Farm Labor Costs: California signed AB 2646 raising farmworker minimum wages to $19.75/hour, drawing sharp pushback from ag groups that warn of higher costs and food price pressure. Diesel Relief Push: South Carolina lawmakers urged Gov. McMaster to suspend penalties tied to dyed diesel during harvest as fuel prices hit record highs. Harvest Stress & Quality: Wet weather is delaying corn and soybean harvest in parts of the U.S., with growers reporting concerns about sprouting and overall quality. Policy Uncertainty: With the U.S. farm bill expired, wheat growers say they face renewed program uncertainty and can’t plan amid high input costs. Climate Adaptation: In the Philippines, farmers in Sablayan are adjusting cropping plans for a potentially prolonged El Niño, including shifting some irrigated acreage to rice and recommending more drought-tolerant crops where irrigation is limited. Local Food & Markets: Qatar expanded a digital voucher program covering about 75% of key farm inputs for hundreds of farms, aiming to boost domestic vegetable production.

El Niño Water Planning (Philippines): Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro is reshaping crop plans for a potentially prolonged El Niño, prioritizing irrigated rice and steering non-irrigated areas toward more drought-tolerant mongo and corn, while seeking fuel support and solar-powered irrigation. Coffee Theft Crackdown (Uganda): Kagadi coffee communities passed village by-laws to curb theft, including penalties for stealing and buying immature coffee, with police and residents set to enforce rules. Biofuel vs Food & Land (Canada/Global): A Chatham House report warns that boosting biofuel output could drive deforestation and squeeze food production, citing heavy canola diversion into renewable diesel. Plant Breeding Shift (Canada): Western Canadian wheat and barley growers are stepping in as public breeding responsibilities change, aiming to keep new varieties moving to market. Global Food Prices (UN/FAO): September food prices hit a near four-year high as El Niño fears and shipping disruptions push up sugar, cereals, and vegetable oils. El Niño Prep & Water Systems (Philippines): Mandaue City, Cebu is rolling out an El Niño action plan focused on water storage, filtration, leak repairs, and conservation. Agri Value-Add Push (Philippines/Cambodia): Central Luzon broke ground on a KOICA-funded agribusiness incubation center, while Cambodia announced a major forum to expand local processing and agrifood exports. Peatland Farming Demo (Ireland/UK): A PaludiFair highlights paludiculture on rewetted peatlands as a climate-smart income option for farmers. Rubber Processing Risk (Liberia): Liberia’s rubber sector warns illegal exports of unprocessed rubber could starve local factories as farmgate prices climb. Agriculture Under Climate Pressure (Europe): Europe’s record drought is projected to cut grain output sharply, adding to already rising farm costs.

Drought Fallout in the Philippines: Agusan del Sur declared a provincewide state of calamity after El Niño cut water supplies and damaged crops worth about P3.5 billion, with rice hit hardest and 36.4% of agricultural commodities affected. US Fruit Prices Stay Elevated: USDA and Labor data show 2026 fresh fruit prices still running high, with grower and consumer indexes up year over year—bananas are the notable exception. Stone Fruit Trade Watch: USDA projects global nectarine and peach exports rising in 2026/27, led by production gains in China, the EU, and a Türkiye rebound after frost damage. Fertilizer Supply Moves: Origin Agritech sold its Xinjiang corn seed base and lease-backed the production site to free cash for R&D and expansion. Plant Disease Breakthrough: Canadian researchers report spelt wheat carries a stripe rust resistance gene that appears nearly immune, while the same gene is suppressed in modern bread wheat—potentially reshaping breeding strategies. Harvest Health Reminder: Health experts warn farmers to address aches and screenings during harvest instead of postponing care until after the season. Food Security Pressure: India’s El Niño-linked rainfall swings are already reshaping farm output targets, while Liberia’s food security debate centers on keeping imported staples affordable.

Rabi support and energy push: India’s Union Cabinet approved higher MSPs for all mandated rabi crops for 2027-28, with wheat set at Rs 2,610/quintal and safflower getting the biggest jump, alongside a Rs 1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III and a Delhi tech-led traffic system. Drought risk for next season: The IMD warned a warmer, drier winter could strain soil moisture and raise irrigation needs for rabi crops after a monsoon deficit. Fuel relief amid harvest pressure: Arkansas and Indiana moved to ease diesel rules for farmers and loggers during harvest, responding to record-high fuel costs. Harvest hit by rain: Heavy rains delayed northwest Missouri harvest and threatened grain quality, while Illinois harvest progress stayed ahead of average despite wet fieldwork. Wildlife conflict: Japan reported sharply rising raccoon damage, with losses nearing 700 million yen as the animals spread into cities. Farm safety spotlight: A new look at grain-bin confined-space hazards and dust explosion risks urges tighter procedures as harvest ramps up. Conservation wins: A Maryland 116-acre former farm was permanently protected via a conservation easement, restoring native habitat.

Rabi Support Boost: India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved higher Minimum Support Prices for all six mandated Rabi crops for 2027-28, with wheat up ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal and safflower rising by ₹675 to ₹7,215—aimed at remunerative returns and crop diversification. Green Infrastructure Push: The same Cabinet nod cleared a ₹1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III plan plus a ₹1,789.52 crore Delhi Intelligent Traffic Management System covering 42 corridors. El Niño Fallout in the Philippines: As El Niño intensifies, the Philippines’ agriculture and health agencies report damage to rice, corn and other crops across 14 regions, with losses reaching P6.87 billion and recovery possible for most affected land. Farm-Input Pressure: In South Africa, spring rains offer relief but officials warn El Niño could bring drier, hotter conditions through late 2026, pushing farmers to plant earlier and adjust. Food Storage Rule Change: The Philippines also set a Dec. 31, 2026 deadline for agri-warehouse and cold-storage operators to register in RSAS and keep records for five years.

Diesel Relief Push: Indiana lawmakers are asking state and federal officials to cut harvest-season diesel costs, including allowing farmers to use untaxed off-road diesel in semi-trucks through the end of harvest. Fuel Emergency in the Plains: North Dakota declared a diesel emergency and expanded on-highway use of cheaper red-dyed diesel to help farmers haul grain and inputs during peak season. PFAS Tracking in California: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring California to flag PFAS-containing pesticides in public reporting and track usage trends. Water & Production Planning: Kenya named 10 irrigation schemes for a pilot to boost crops from rice and maize to vegetables and avocado, aiming to fix post-harvest losses and weak market links. Harvest Disruptions: Iowa’s harvest is lagging as wet weather limits fieldwork, while Michigan soybean growers are being urged to scout for a new stem-borer pest. Food Systems & Farms: California extended a tax credit that links surplus farm donations to food banks through 2032, and an urban agriculture grant pilot will reimburse conservation-minded projects for gardeners in Iowa’s Middle Cedar Watershed. Farm-to-School & Community: Wisconsin’s Rock Ridge Orchard supplies apples to 132 schools, and a Kansas hail relief fund is helping producers rebuild after mid-August storms.

Labor Crunch for Fruit Exports: Australia’s mango growers warn proposed working-holiday visa changes could cut the Top End harvest by nearly 1,000 workers, leaving up to 70% of fruit to rot and pushing up prices. Climate Damage to Farms: EU ministers put summer losses to agriculture at about €14–€17 billion, citing heat, drought, wildfires, and grass shortages for livestock; they’re pushing water storage, smarter irrigation, and wider insurance. Water Stress Hits Produce Supply: Spain’s Donana wetlands are drying as illegal wells expand to feed Europe’s fruit-and-veg demand, raising pressure on farmers and ecosystems. Trade Policy With Farm Impacts: The US and China plan reciprocal tariff cuts on $60B of goods, but soybeans are excluded—drawing criticism from the soybean industry. Rural Safety and Compensation: Kerala will double compensation for wildlife attacks and crop losses, with faster, coordinated payouts. Feed and Fertilizer Pressure: South Africa’s pork outlook improves for 2027 as feed costs ease, while US farmers face higher shipping costs as rail surcharges rise. Food Security Growth: Nigeria’s agriculture grew 4.39% in Q2 2026, its strongest since 2021, as the government pushes farmer-focused coordination. Ag Tech and Inputs: Kazakhstan reports 83% of grain harvested and plans more financing and storage ahead of 2027.