Category: Agriculture

A dangerous parasitic organism that was successfully eliminated from the United States during the 1960s has made an unwelcome return to South Texas, creating alarm among livestock producers and agricultural officials.

The screwworm, which consists of fly larvae that parasitize animals, has been discovered again in the region, marking the first confirmed cases since its eradication more than six decades ago. The parasite represents a significant danger to cattle and other livestock operations throughout the area.

Agricultural inspectors are monitoring the situation closely at livestock checkpoints, working to assess the scope of the outbreak and prevent further spread of the harmful organism. The reemergence of this pest raises serious questions about potential impacts on the region’s vital cattle industry.

DELMARVA — Corn and soybean planting is wrapping up across the country, with the USDA reporting 97% of the nation’s corn crop is in the ground as of Sunday, matching the 5-year average of 96%. 86% has emerged and 67% is rated good to excellent. Soybeans hit 92% planted with 65% rated good to excellent.

Crop Health

Agricultural specialists are urging soybean farmers to watch for red crown rot this season. Michigan State University plant pathologist Marty Chilvers says the disease continues expanding through Midwest regions. Red crown rot has now been confirmed in Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota as of last year. Farmers should conduct thorough plant inspections and testing when they spot suspicious symptoms.

Markets

Soybeans started the week lower on fund and technical selling. Market participants are watching Thursday’s crop production report for direction. At Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware, corn for July delivery is bringing $4.64 a bushel. December corn is $4.61. Soybeans for July are $10.56. November beans are $10.86.

Forecast

The forecast calls for 73° this afternoon with sunny skies. Tonight drops to 57° and mostly clear. Tuesday climbs to 78° and mostly sunny with Wednesday bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 8, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has issued its most recent assessment of crop development and agricultural conditions nationwide.

The federal agency’s latest report provides updated statistics on farming progress across various regions, offering insights into current agricultural trends and crop status.

This regular reporting helps track the ongoing state of the nation’s agricultural sector through systematic data collection and analysis.

Federal agriculture officials confirmed Monday that two additional animals in Texas have tested positive for New World screwworm, highlighting the challenge of containing a dangerous pest that threatens America’s cattle ranching industry.

The destructive pest is actually a type of fly that produces larvae which consume living tissue rather than decaying matter. Female flies deposit eggs in open wounds on any warm-blooded creature, including cattle, wild animals, domestic pets, and sometimes humans.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the latest infections were discovered in a calf and a dog located hundreds of miles from each other in La Salle and Andrews counties. This increases the confirmed case count to four total. Officials initially identified the screwworm in a 3-week-old calf the previous week, followed by a second infection in another young calf just miles from the first location.

“While we address these instances that require immediate attention, and continue to sample suspected cases, we are simultaneously working to eradicate the pest entirely,” Dudley Hoskins, the USDA’s marketing and regulatory undersecretary, said in a statement.

The fly represented a significant seasonal threat to cattle operations before being wiped out across the United States during the 1960s.

Federal officials and the American cattle sector have been working urgently to stop an outbreak since the pest appeared in Mexico in late 2024, marking its return after being confined to southern Panama for decades.

Authorities combat the fly through a breeding program that produces sterile male flies, which then reproduce with wild females that mate only once during their several-month lifespan. When females mate with the sterile males, they cannot produce offspring, eventually stopping outbreaks.

The USDA has revealed intentions to boost sterile fly production at international facilities while constructing a fly breeding facility in Texas.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will receive a briefing on the outbreak Monday afternoon at the U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas.

Federal agriculture officials announced Monday they have identified two more instances of New World screwworm affecting animals in Texas – one involving a young cow in La Salle County and another affecting a dog in Andrews County.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, investigators continue examining both situations to determine how the animals became infected.

Officials describe New World screwworm as a dangerous parasite that poses risks to farm animals, household pets, wild animals, and occasionally humans. The parasite’s offspring tunnel into living animal tissue, creating serious injuries, causing animal distress, and resulting in substantial financial damage to agricultural operations.

These latest confirmations follow Friday’s announcement of another screwworm case in Texas, discovered only a short distance from where officials reported the first detection of this flesh-eating parasite in the United States in many years.

For decades, Brazil’s inexpensive and plentiful farmland enabled agricultural producers to establish massive, cost-effective operations that captured export markets from American farmers, particularly after China shifted suppliers during trade disputes under President Donald Trump’s administration.

While American agricultural land has remained relatively static this century, Brazil expanded its farming territory by approximately 50%, establishing itself as a global agricultural giant. However, the South American nation’s competitive advantage faces serious challenges as ongoing Middle East conflicts drive fertilizer costs to unprecedented levels.

Approximately one-third of global fertilizer supplies have become trapped within the Strait of Hormuz since hostilities commenced. The United States manufactures most of its fertilizer domestically, while Brazil depends significantly on international suppliers, forcing many producers to reduce their fertilizer acquisitions.

Industry analysts warn that Brazilian farmers face serious difficulties even if the Middle East situation resolves quickly. Currently, they manage thousands of acres generating declining profits or actual losses, with many beginning to accumulate substantial debt burdens.

Furthermore, numerous American farmers possess soil quality sufficient for reasonable harvests even when skipping fertilizer treatments for one season. Brazilian producers rarely have this luxury.

Seasonal planting differences compound the problem. Brazil’s spring cultivation begins in September, exposing farmers to current elevated fertilizer prices. American producers had largely completed their purchases before the conflict started.

Brazilian farmers also lack access to government assistance programs or financial bailouts available to their American counterparts.

“Profitability just isn’t there,” stated Murilo Rabelo Martins Pereira, a producer in Goias state in central Brazil.

“Expansion is something everyone is rethinking right now.”

Pereira, age 34, cultivates soybeans, corn and tomatoes across 800 hectares. He explained that escalating production expenses make farm expansion too dangerous, despite receiving opportunities to lease additional property.

“For sure we’ll not see the same trend” of agricultural expansion in Brazil, commented Purdue University agricultural economist Joana Colussi, a Brazilian native.

She anticipates growth will pause, at minimum temporarily, as producers allocate more resources to fertilizer, fuel, seeds and other supplies, leaving less for expansion.

Brazil’s remarkable agricultural expansion originated from surging Chinese demand. Enormous grassland areas transitioned from livestock grazing to crop production like soybeans and corn, creating direct competition between Brazil and the United States.

Brazil typically emerged victorious. Trade restrictions Trump implemented against China during his presidency encouraged Beijing to find alternative sources, with Brazil among the primary beneficiaries.

In 2000, American soybean exports to China nearly doubled Brazil’s volumes. By late 2025, this relationship reversed, with Brazil selling almost twice the soybeans to China compared to the United States.

Brazil’s expansion relied on access to extensive, affordable land. Much of this territory has deteriorated because farmers traditionally relocated to fresh ground when their fields became unproductive, rather than investing in soil improvement.

With widespread land degradation, large-scale commercial farming in Brazil requires significant quantities of fertilizer, pesticides, genetically modified seeds and other increasingly expensive biological inputs.

“Right now farmers everywhere, including Brazil, are operating on razor-thin margins. If you have better soil, you can weather lower fertilizer application, or no application. You can weather a shock like this better,” explained Saswato Das, global head of corporate affairs at agricultural company Syngenta.

Many American farmers maintain average production levels even when skipping seasonal applications of essential fertilizers like potash and diammonium phosphate, or DAP. Thousands have adopted this approach this year. However, on Brazilian farms, potash and DAP effectiveness lasts only one growing season.

American producers are “just skimping out” on DAP, whose prices have approximately doubled since the Middle East war started, noted Marshall Lee Davis, who cultivates peanuts and cotton in Georgia.

Davis mentioned that even American farmers capable of skipping applications worry about sustained high fertilizer costs affecting fall purchases for their 2027 spring planting in March.

Brazilian farmers, who must navigate their 2026 spring planting this September and second-crop planting in early 2027, have confronted elevated fertilizer prices since shortly after the conflict began in late February.

“North American farmers are in a better spot than Brazilian farmers due to seasonality,” observed Expana analyst Murphy Campbell.

Brazil depends heavily on DAP imports and nitrogen-based urea, the world’s most commonly used fertilizer.

Brazil’s government-owned oil company Petrobras is resuming operations at previously shuttered fertilizer facilities that were closed under former President Jair Bolsonaro. The company aims to supply 35% of the nation’s nitrogen-fertilizer requirements in upcoming years.

Despite elevated fertilizer expenses, commodity prices for corn and soybeans have increased only modestly since the war started, as abundant recent harvests have built global inventory levels. This situation has compressed farmer profit margins worldwide, particularly affecting those dependent on fertilizer imports.

Brazilian soybean producers had purchased approximately 50% of their total 2026/27 fertilizer requirements by late May, according to Expana’s Campbell. He noted that historically “over 60% is booked by late May.”

Reduced fertilizer usage translates to lower yields and decreased profits or outright losses for farmers carrying increasing debt loads.

“They are overleveraged,” stated Bruno Fonseca, a Rabobank analyst in Brazil, describing the country’s agricultural producers.

Fertilizer costs are projected to stay elevated for at least six months even with a Middle East peace agreement, according to Expana’s Campbell.

For Pereira, the Brazilian farmer, the challenging outlook requires difficult choices.

“We had planned this year to replace our harvesters, which are quite old,” he said. “We decided not to go ahead.”

A devastating livestock pest not seen in Texas for decades has returned, leaving cattle ranchers frustrated with federal officials’ handling of the crisis.

Federal agriculture officials confirmed this week that New World screwworm has been detected in two Texas locations – marking the state’s first confirmed cases since the 1970s. The announcement has divided local ranchers and residents, with many questioning whether the government agency’s response measures are adequate or swift enough.

Susan Storey, now 62, remembers the horror of previous screwworm invasions from her childhood in South Texas. She can still recall watching writhing maggots burrow into live animals and the stench of burning calf carcasses that were beyond saving.

“We’re fighting for this so our grandchildren can keep what we have,” Storey explained while driving her pickup along a dusty ranch road lined with cattle and green fields. “I don’t want my herd threatened.”

Cattle producers across the nation have been preparing for a domestic screwworm case for more than a year as the parasite moved northward through Mexico. Agricultural experts warn that a major outbreak could inflict $1.8 billion in economic losses on Texas and devastate the state’s wildlife populations. For ranchers like Storey who survived the previous outbreak, this latest development has damaged their confidence in federal agriculture officials and spurred them to seek independent solutions.

The screwworm is a parasitic fly species whose females deposit eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded creature. After hatching, hundreds of larvae consume living tissue with razor-sharp mouths, ultimately killing their host without treatment. The parasites primarily spread when infected animals move to new locations and present no food safety risks while rarely affecting people, according to specialists. When screwworm was last widespread in America, the cattle industry required three decades to fully recover, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted.

Federal and Texas authorities established a restricted area around the outbreak sites while increasing trap deployment and monitoring activities, sending response teams, and continuing to release sterilized flies. Rollins expressed confidence that the agency will successfully contain the Texas discoveries and prevent the pest from establishing itself permanently in America.

“Well before the first U.S. detection of New World Screwworm, since February of 2025, USDA has worked around the clock with our state, local, industry, and ranchers on the ground. The secretary herself made four trips to South Texas, more than anywhere else in the country,” a USDA spokesperson told Reuters. “The idea that this department has not been transparent is absurd and does not match what ranchers are telling the department and our partners directly.”

Previous reporting revealed that hundreds of veterinarians, support personnel, and laboratory workers at the federal agriculture department’s animal health division departed after the Trump administration requested resignations, reducing the number of specialists available to address animal disease emergencies and heightening preparedness concerns.

Last Friday, approximately 100 ranchers wearing muddy boots and cowboy hats filled a small high school cafeteria for a Texas Animal Health Commission presentation about screwworm, bombarding officials with questions and expressing anger over what they perceived as sluggish federal action.

“As Texans, we’re not afraid to take this on,” declared John Paul Schuster, a 55-year-old rancher and Kinney County judge, drawing applause and supportive gestures from attendees.

Several ranchers have suggested collecting funds to construct a privately financed sterile fly production facility, with initial costs estimated at approximately $4 million. Screwworms were initially eliminated from America when scientists began releasing enormous quantities of sterilized male screwworm flies that breed with wild females to create sterile eggs. Present sterile fly production falls well below levels needed to control the outbreak, although two additional facilities are being built.

Following the meeting, Schuster criticized what he considered the sluggish pace of sterile fly facility construction, warning that a broader infestation could threaten the ranching and hunting sectors vital to Kinney County’s 3,000 residents’ economy.

“If it’s not controlled in two years and eradicated in five years, my little county will be done,” Schuster stated.

While federal agriculture officials have outlined their screwworm containment approach, some ranchers have objected to what they consider insufficient transparency, including the agency’s choice not to reveal precise locations where sterile flies are being deployed.

“We need to know what’s being done because it’s our financial investment. It’s our livelihood that’s on the line,” Storey explained. “They’re not betting their herd – they’re betting ours.”

Additional ranchers rejected the federal agency’s guidance – including daily animal inspections and preventive treatments – as unrealistic for operations covering thousands of acres, facing serious labor shortages, and lacking experienced cowboys.

“It’s not really feasible. There’s no more cowboys anymore and there’s no good ranch horses,” said DJ Rubio, a 62-year-old rancher and Storey’s husband.

Monty Martin, a 61-year-old rancher living near both confirmed screwworm cases in Zavala County, Texas, adopted a more balanced approach and commended federal and Texas Animal Health Commission teams working in the field.

“People need to stop politicizing this, stop finger pointing, it doesn’t do anyone any good,” he stated. “Those people that are on the front lines have been tremendous, and I have the utmost respect and admiration for them.”

All main roads entering the approximately 12-mile-wide infected area surrounding the original detection location display flashing orange warnings directing livestock-carrying vehicles to stop at checkpoints where state workers inspect animals for screwworm, though staff had left by early evening.

The duty of identifying new screwworm cases, however, rests primarily with ranchers themselves. Anthony Gallegos, a 43-year-old rancher in Zavala County, said the outbreak has increased his vigilance in monitoring his cattle.

“Come on, girls,” he called out, shaking a container of feed as a group of Black Angus cattle ran toward him. “They just pretty much run to me like their dad’s here.”

Gallegos explained that his close bond with his animals and relatively small herd enables him to carefully watch for concerning symptoms and administer preventive medications as federal officials recommend.

Despite preventive steps, Gallegos remains concerned about potential widespread screwworm transmission.

“If it is widespread and it starts infecting animals, it’s going to hurt our bottom line,” he said. “Every time I see a buzzard, my heart sinks.”

DELMARVA — Beef production nationwide is projected to drop nearly 1% next year. The USDA expects 25.31 billion pounds of beef in 2027, down from this year’s totals. Analysts say fewer cattle heading to slaughter will drive the decline, though heavier carcass weights should offset some of that loss.

Closer to home, cattle producers are wrestling with whether to background calves or sell them at weaning. With cattle prices at elevated levels, the temptation to cash in is strong, but industry observers say ranchers need to weigh the broader economic picture before making that call.

Markets

Dairy trading closed mixed Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Butter gained $0.01.25 to finish at $1.69.25 per pound. 40-pound cheese blocks dropped to $1.47.25. Nonfat dry milk fell $0.06.50 to $2.04.50. Barrels held at $1.44. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.67.

For cash grain, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.61 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans there are $10.57 for July.

Forecast

Mostly sunny today with a high of 73° and east winds at 10 mph. Tonight clears to 58°. Tomorrow stays mostly sunny, 73° again with light south winds. Rain chances arrive Wednesday.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 8, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

DELMARVA — Wheat farmers across the Delmarva Peninsula are wrapping up a difficult week as harvest projections show significantly reduced yields following spring frost and drought damage.

A tour conducted Monday found yields ranging from the upper 60s to over 100 bushels per acre, depending on location and irrigation availability. Delaware Extension plant pathologist Alyssa Betts reported that the full extent of frost damage was not visible until recently.

Conditions are worse in Eastern Virginia, where wheat has already matured enough to combine. Virginia Farm Bureau grain manager Robert Harper said May 28 samples averaged just 47 bushels per acre in the Middle Peninsula and 69 in the Northern Neck. Harper attributed the losses to an April freeze that eliminated a significant portion of Virginia’s wheat acreage.

Policy

In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore on Friday ordered state agencies to assist fruit and grape growers devastated by the April 21 freeze. Moore’s directive eliminates certain winery requirements, expedites irrigation permits, and establishes task forces to help producers access federal disaster programs.

Markets

Friday’s commodity market close showed July corn down 7 cents at $4.17½ per bushel. July soybeans fell 8 cents to $11.21½. July Chicago wheat lost 1¾ cents, settling at $5.80.

Locally, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is offering $4.63 for July delivery corn and $10.62 for soybeans.

Forecast

Saturday afternoon temperatures reached 86°F with mostly sunny skies. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 10:00 p.m. Showers and storms are likely overnight with a low near 69°F. Sunday is expected to be sunny with a high near 81°F.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 6, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

A historic cattle operation in West Texas that has been feeding livestock since the 1950s now faces potential shutdown as empty pens stretch across its property.

Lubbock Feeders, operating for seven decades in Lubbock, Texas, teeters on the edge of closure after federal authorities banned Mexican livestock imports last year to prevent the spread of New World screwworm, a dangerous flesh-eating parasite that Mexican officials have been unable to contain, according to one of the facility’s owners.

Federal officials shut down cross-border livestock movement twelve months ago to block the entry of New World screwworm, a destructive pest that has proven difficult for Mexican authorities to eliminate. This week marked the first confirmed screwworm case in Texas in six decades, creating additional obstacles for the U.S. beef sector already facing supply shortages, trade policy challenges under President Donald Trump, and ongoing drought conditions.

The situation presents a stark contrast in Mexico’s northern Coahuila state, where ranchers previously shipping live animals northward now export processed beef to American markets. Rancher Enrique García’s facilities recently housed numerous black cattle awaiting their evening meals. He has expanded his workforce by 100% for both cattle fattening and beef processing operations, with goals of reaching U.S. consumers.

The border shutdown has forced the $100 billion U.S. beef sector to shrink in Texas, America’s leading cattle-producing state. Meanwhile, Mexico—where screwworm has affected nearly 28,000 animals—has leveraged this challenge to develop domestic feedlots for extended cattle raising and slaughter preparation, plus expanded processing capabilities. This supply chain advancement proves profitable, with Mexican beef shipments to the U.S. jumping dramatically in early 2026.

“If they end up feeding and processing them in Mexico, how are we winning?” said Kyle Williams, manager and part owner of Lubbock Feeders. “We’re giving this to them on a silver platter, the feeding industry. That’s work, that’s labor, that’s people that are not getting to do it here in the U.S.”

American beef costs reached unprecedented levels this year as domestic cattle availability fell to a 75-year minimum due to the Mexican import prohibition and drought conditions that sparked wildfires throughout the Plains region, forcing U.S. producers to reduce their herds significantly.

America previously brought in over one million cattle annually from Mexico, representing approximately 4% to 5% of all cattle sold for domestic beef production, industry statistics show.

Mexican livestock was traditionally fattened at American feedlots before processing at U.S. plants, creating employment throughout the process, feeders explained. These positions included transport drivers moving livestock, crop farmers feeding the animals, and meatpacking employees processing cattle into steaks and ground beef.

Currently, those cattle remain primarily in Mexico for raising and slaughter.

“They’re building infrastructure in Mexico,” Williams said. “They’re forced to figure it out.”

The USDA could safely restart imports through cattle inspections and treatments at entry points, he noted. “Those protocols are in place. There’s been training on both sides of the border. Let the cattle move.”

Screwworm consists of parasitic flies that can infest any warm-blooded creature when females deposit eggs in wounds. Early detection allows for treatment. During a 20th-century outbreak, the U.S. released trillions of sterile flies over affected areas from a Texas production facility now being rebuilt. The massive elimination campaign ended the epidemic, but cattle industry recovery required 30 years, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated last year when justifying the Mexican border closure.

Halting cattle movement can reduce pest transmission, Rollins said this week.

Lubbock Feeders ceased bringing cattle to its facility months ago because elevated prices for animals from U.S. ranches meant potential losses exceeding $200 per animal, Williams explained. The feedlot can accommodate up to 40,000 cattle but current numbers have declined to approximately 4,000.

Bobby Swift, the facility’s 57-year-old assistant manager, now starts work later due to reduced responsibilities. Checking cattle, one of his main tasks, requires only 22 minutes because of the small numbers, he said.

“When you’re as slow as we are, mentally it takes an effect on you,” said Swift, a 30-year employee whose father and grandfather also worked at Lubbock Feeders.

Increasing beef costs have created affordability concerns for consumers before U.S. midterm elections while they also face higher fuel expenses. President Donald Trump has attempted to address this by encouraging cattle producers to reduce prices, directing the Department of Justice to investigate meatpackers, and permitting reduced-tariff imports from Argentina. However, a larger U.S. cattle herd would more effectively lower prices.

American meatpackers await domestic cattle producers expanding their herds to increase beef production, a process requiring two years.

Producers indicated Trump’s promotion of larger low-tariff Argentine beef imports complicated efforts to convince them to rebuild herds. The decision angered ranchers but failed to reduce consumer costs.

Producers have also hesitated to increase production due to dry weather risks and profit uncertainty.

In Tulia, Texas, 72 miles north of Lubbock, farmer Eddie Womack said he may reduce his herd from about 600 to 200 cows unless summer rainfall relieves severe drought that eliminated crops for feed. He purchased feed at higher costs instead.

“We go through another devastating year and we’ll have to say, ‘We’re gone. We’ve got to sell,’” said Womack, 63.

García represents many beef producers expanding in Mexico.

He started small-scale cattle fattening four years ago to diversify his business after previously exporting approximately 900 head annually to Kansas. The U.S. border closure accelerated his transition and increased his income by 8% to 10%, García said.

With screwworm now present in the U.S., the border will likely remain closed, which García said this week encouraged him to expand his beef production business.

“In the end, we are going to get to the United States just the same, but now with meat,” he said.

Mexican exports to the U.S. increased by 23% in early 2026, according to Mexico’s main meat producers council, which targets doubling shipments next year.

Coahuila, among Mexico’s primary beef-exporting states, promotes expanding federally and U.S.-certified slaughter and packing capacity to support exports with Mexican government assistance, said Isaias Montemayor, the state’s deputy minister of livestock and rural infrastructure.

“The passing of the months has taught us that if these producers add value,” Montemayor said, “they can obtain a profit equal to or even greater than what they would get if they exported live calves.”

Rollins stated that suspending Mexican cattle imports successfully delayed screwworm’s entry into the U.S. and that entry points would remain closed to Mexican cattle indefinitely.

The White House directed questions to the USDA, which stated: “Efforts at the federal, state, and local levels have been focused on containing the pest and implementing protocols.”

Rogelio Perez of Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations said the border closure forced Mexico’s industry to adapt, ultimately strengthening it. “The profit from producing meat now stays in Mexico with a consequent impact on the American industry,” he said.

The border closure has pressured U.S. meatpackers, along with some cattle feeders, by worsening already limited domestic supplies. Processors like Tyson Foods have reported significant losses in U.S. beef operations as cattle costs exceeded beef price increases.

American meatpacking executives stated they require more cattle for efficient plant operations and that resuming Mexican imports would have the greatest supply impact over the next 12 to 18 months.

Tyson Foods reduced operations this year at a beef plant in Amarillo, Texas, about 120 miles north of Lubbock, and permanently closed a large beef facility in Nebraska. The company said it made these cuts, eliminating thousands of jobs, to improve competitiveness.

Competitors JBS and Cargill have experienced unusual labor disputes at U.S. beef plants, resisting workers’ demands for increased wages.

Darin Parker, president of global meat distributor PMI Foods, said USDA should reopen the border.

“It’s quintessential Americana to be in the beef industry,” Parker said. “We need to really protect this industry.”

DELMARVA — Federal agriculture officials confirmed yesterday that a young calf in Texas has tested positive for New World screwworm, marking the 2nd documented case of this parasitic infection. The Agriculture Department’s announcement raises concerns for livestock producers nationwide as officials work to contain the outbreak.

Regional Crop Conditions

Delaware wheat farmers are bracing for a challenging harvest after Monday’s agricultural assessment tour revealed significant weather damage. An extended dry spell and late April freezing temperatures are expected to reduce production in many non-irrigated operations. Preliminary harvest projections varied widely, spanning from the upper 60 bushels to more than 100 bushels per acre.

Virginia’s situation is even worse. Fields that normally remain green and immature in late May looked ready for harvest. Yield samples there averaged just 47 bushels per acre in the Middle Peninsula and 69 in the Northern Neck.

Markets

Yesterday’s close showed July corn down 7 cents to $4.17 1/2. Soybeans fell 8 cents to $11.21 1/2. July wheat dropped just under 2 cents to $5.80. Cattle futures gained ground with August live cattle up 12 cents to $241.65. August feeder cattle rose 52 cents to $353.90. July lean hogs dropped $2.80 to $98.80.

Forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high of 86°F. A chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for tonight. Tomorrow looks sunny with a high near 87°F.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 6, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Federal agriculture officials have verified a second instance of the dangerous screwworm parasite in Texas on Friday, discovered just miles away from the initial case that marked the first U.S. detection in decades.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the parasite was found in Zavala County at a cattle operation located 5.6 miles from where the original case was identified on Wednesday.

News outlets had reported the second confirmation earlier Friday through industry sources before the USDA officially announced the infection involved a one-month-old calf.

During a Friday press briefing, Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer, associate administrator for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, had initially stated that only one affected animal had been found.

This latest discovery comes after the original identification occurred near La Pryor, a community located approximately 30 miles northeast of the Mexican border. The development represents a concerning turn for cattle producers who have been bracing for the parasite’s potential arrival as it has spread northward through Mexico during the past year.

The screwworm consists of parasitic flies that lay eggs within open wounds or mucous membranes of animals with warm blood. Once the eggs develop into larvae, they burrow into living tissue where they consume the host, potentially resulting in death without proper treatment.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott voiced alarm Friday about delays in launching a new facility designed to produce sterile New World screwworm flies, warning that waiting more than a year to begin operations could devastate the nation’s $113 billion cattle sector as flesh-eating larvae pose an escalating threat.

Abbott promised that Texas would assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture in fast-tracking construction of the $750 million production facility located outside Edinburg, Texas, approximately 20 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. He declared Texas is prepared to allocate state funds to ensure construction continues “24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Speaking at a news conference in the state capital of Austin, Abbott warned that without increased sterile fly production, “We cannot make it through a second summer.”

Federal agriculture officials this week verified an outbreak of New World screwworm fly larvae in a 3-week-old calf located in La Pryor, Texas, roughly 100 miles southwest of San Antonio and 50 miles from the Mexico border. This marks the first confirmed case in Texas since 1966.

The Texas facility represents the larger of two fly-production plants receiving USDA funding.

Additionally, the USDA allocated $21 million to modify a facility in southern Mexico, converting it from fruit fly breeding to screwworm fly production. That plant is scheduled to begin operations next month, ultimately generating 100 million flies weekly.

The Texas facility will span an area equivalent to two Costco stores, according to Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer, a member of the USDA’s screwworm response team. The plant is designed to generate up to 300 million flies per week.

Authorities believe both facilities are essential to eliminate the fly from the U.S., Mexico and Central America.

Schmoyer noted that federal officials have already compressed the planning and construction schedule significantly — completing design work in months rather than a full year. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins indicated the USDA anticipates the facility could become operational ahead of its scheduled November 2027 launch date.

However, Abbott emphasized that Texas is committed to accelerating construction even further.

“This is going to spread over the course of the summer,” he said regarding the fly.

While untreated New World screwworm fly larvae infestations can be fatal to animals, a dozen government-approved treatments are now available for livestock. Federal and state authorities have emphasized that the fly’s larvae — which consume living tissue — do not contaminate meat or fruit.

“There’s a food production issue, but not a food safety issue,” Abbott stated.

Derrell Peel, a professor of agribusiness at Oklahoma State University, said beef supplies likely won’t be impacted unless authorities impose broader cattle movement restrictions or unless outbreaks occur in feedlots or other concentrated cattle operations. He doesn’t anticipate either scenario.

“It’s probably not a major market issue,” he said.

Consumers are facing record beef prices due to limited cattle availability, and Peel projects prices will climb higher when ranchers remove heifers from the supply chain to rebuild herds. However, he said the screwworm’s appearance in Texas “doesn’t change the supply fundamentals.”

Screwworm outbreaks in Mexico beginning in 2024 led U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to halt U.S. imports of Mexican cattle in May 2025. Mexican imports previously totaled approximately 1.2 million animals annually and declined roughly 80% last year, based on industry data.

But Peel noted that Mexican imports represented only about 3% of the U.S. cattle supply.

“It’s been just one more thing on top of others,” he said, not a primary price driver.

The New World screwworm fly plagued U.S. cattle ranchers annually during warm weather from at least the 1930s through the 1960s.

However, breeding sterile flies and releasing swarms from aircraft eliminated it from the U.S. by the early 1970s, except for a brief outbreak among deer in the Florida Keys in 2016 and a case confirmed in a Maryland man who traveled to El Salvador last year. Until an outbreak in Panama in 2023, the fly had been considered eliminated outside its remote, southernmost region bordering Colombia.

Females mate once during their monthslong lifespans, and when they breed with sterile males, their eggs fail to hatch after being deposited in open wounds and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals, including cattle, wild mammals, household pets and humans.

After the U.S. and other countries eliminated the fly previously, they closed fly-breeding facilities until only one remained in the Western Hemisphere, located in Panama. It can generate approximately 117 million flies weekly.

However, previous elimination campaigns required roughly 500 million flies per week, said Schmoyer during Abbott’s news conference.

Schmoyer calculated that the USDA has already released 130 million flies in Texas since January, primarily from aircraft, with current drops totaling about 4 million weekly. The agency is also releasing another 4 million weekly on the ground as pupae, which are flies in the developmental stage between larvae and adult.

Despite deploying millions of flies, the USDA must carefully target where to release them, Schmoyer explained to reporters. Federal and state officials are utilizing scientific models to forecast the fly’s movement patterns.

“In essence, it’s not where the flies are today, but where they could be weeks from now,” he said.

The scientific approach includes trap deployment, and Texas State Veterinarian Bud Dinges said they’ve positioned traps up to 120 miles from La Pryor to track the fly’s movement.

DELMARVA — Federal agriculture officials confirmed the first screwworm detection in U.S. cattle in decades, documenting the parasite in a young cow from South Texas Wednesday. The New World screwworm hasn’t been found in American livestock in over 30 years.

Policy

Meanwhile, Maryland fruit and grape producers who lost their entire harvest to the catastrophic April 21 freeze are getting state help. Governor Wes Moore on May 29 directed multiple agencies to respond to the disaster.

The nighttime freeze hit the mid-20s after an abnormally warm March pushed crops ahead several weeks. Moore’s directive eliminates crop minimums for Class 4 Limited Wineries and orders the agriculture department to help distribute federal disaster funds.

Markets

Grain futures closed mixed Friday. July corn settled at $4.17½/bu, down $0.07. July soybeans closed at $11.21½/bu, falling $0.08. July wheat finished at $5.80/bu, declining $0.01¾.

Cattle futures advanced, with August live cattle up $0.12 to $241.65. July lean hogs dropped $2.80 to $98.80.

Locally at Laurel Grain Company, corn for July delivery is bringing $4.63/bu, soybeans $10.62/bu.

Forecast

Mostly clear conditions are expected tonight with a low near 69°F. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high around 82°F and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday night.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 5, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Farm operators across the country saw improved returns for their peanut crops during the final week of May, according to new agricultural pricing data.

Growers received an average payment of 24.7 cents per pound for all categories of farmer stock peanuts during the seven-day period that wrapped up on May 30. This marked an upward movement of 1.8 cents compared to earlier pricing.

The pricing information reflects what agricultural producers actually received for their peanut harvests sold during that specific timeframe.

Health officials have confirmed the discovery of a dangerous parasitic insect in a young cow in Texas. The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating fly species, was wiped out from American territory during the 1960s but has now resurfaced.

The detection represents a significant concern for livestock producers across the country. This parasitic fly species is known to cause severe damage to cattle and other animals, making its reappearance particularly troubling for the agricultural sector.

Officials have confirmed the discovery of New World screwworm in a Texas calf, marking the return of a dangerous parasite that agricultural authorities eliminated from the United States during the 1960s.

The parasitic insect, known for consuming living tissue, represents a significant danger to livestock operations nationwide. Agricultural experts are closely monitoring the situation as the cattle industry faces potential widespread impacts from this unwelcome reappearance.

International food costs experienced a minor decline in May compared to the previous month, though prices continue hovering near three-year peaks, according to data released Friday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

The organization’s Food Price Index, which tracks price movements in a collection of internationally traded food products, reached 130.8 points during May. This represents a 0.2% decrease from April’s adjusted figure of 131.0 points, while showing a 2.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

Even with the slight downward adjustment to April’s numbers, the index stayed close to its peak level since January 2023 and remained 18.4% under its March 2022 high point.

Grain costs increased by more than 2.6% during the month, with wheat prices climbing for the fourth consecutive month due to reduced export harvest expectations, including in the United States, and rising fuel and fertilizer expenses connected to the Iran conflict.

The agency reported that corn prices also received support from increased import demand and reduced supply availability in Brazil and the U.S.

Meanwhile, vegetable oil costs dropped 4.6% from the previous month, marking their first monthly decrease this year, as declining palm and soy oil prices exceeded increases in rapeseed and sunflower oil. Following five months of consecutive growth, international palm oil prices fell, reflecting expectations of reduced global import demand and uncertainty in crude oil markets.

However, vegetable oil prices remained more than 20% higher than last year on average, as increased energy costs following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz boosted demand for biofuels produced from organic materials, such as oil-rich plants.

Sugar costs surged 7.5% from the previous month to 95.1 points, though they stayed 13.1% below their level from a year ago. The rise was primarily caused by worries over an expected tightening of global sugar supplies in upcoming months.

In a separate report on cereal supply, the organization stated it anticipates world cereal production — including rice in milled equivalent — to contract 2% in 2026/27 to 2.98 billion tons.

Output of all major cereals is expected to decrease, though for many from record levels achieved in 2025, with the largest year-over-year reduction in percentage terms projected for wheat and the smallest for corn and barley.

DELMARVA — Federal agriculture inspectors confirmed yesterday they’ve detected New World screwworm in a young calf in southern Texas near the Mexico border. It’s the first verified instance of this dangerous livestock parasite crossing into the United States from Mexico. The 3-week-old bovine was found in Zavala County.

Markets

Yesterday’s session ended mixed. July corn closed at $4.24.5/bu, down $0.07. July soybeans fell $0.24.5 to $11.29.5. July Chicago wheat dropped $0.05.5 to $5.81.75.

Cattle futures posted solid gains with August live cattle up $3.67 to $241.52. August feeders jumped $10.75 to $353.37. July lean hogs lost $0.40, closing at $101.60.

Locally at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware, corn for July delivery is bringing $4.68/bu. July soybeans are at $10.67.

Local Conditions

Dry conditions continue across Wicomico County, putting strain on farmers and the environment. Growers are ramping up irrigation to keep crops viable as the lack of rainfall stresses plant life and water sources.

Forecast

Mostly sunny conditions are expected today with a high near 81°F. Southwest winds 5-10 mph. Tonight stays mostly clear with temperatures dropping to 68°F. Tomorrow looks mostly sunny with a high around 83°F.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 5, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

ARLINGTON, Va., June 4, 2026 — The National Grain and Feed Association expressed appreciation to the U.S. House of Representatives following approval of the fiscal year 2027 agriculture appropriations bill.

The cross-party measure contains multiple key provisions advocated by the organization aimed at bolstering reliability, transparency, and international competitiveness within America’s grain and feed sector:

• Directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create and execute a backup plan ensuring official grain inspection and weighing services continue during future interruptions. The association strongly endorses this requirement, which stresses clear operational protocols and involvement from stakeholders, including export elevators and Officially Designated and Delegated Agencies.
• Promoting better collaboration between the USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration to speed up approvals for grain reconditioning plans, boosting efficiency at export locations when grain shipments need remedial measures.
• Highlighting the critical nature of maintaining continuous grain terminal operations for U.S. grain exports.
• Emphasizing the need for dependable, consistent information by instructing USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to preserve essential reports and surveys while providing Congress advance warning before implementing major modifications to data gathering initiatives.
• Acknowledging the significance of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to the nation’s food supply by ensuring adequate resource allocation for its functions.

“The House’s passage of the agriculture appropriations bill marks an important step forward for America’s grain and feed industry,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “By safeguarding export inspection services, improving federal coordination, and preserving critical market data, the bill supports the industry’s ability to sustain more than one million U.S. grain and feed-related jobs and drive economic growth in America.”

The organization anticipates ongoing collaboration with the Senate as the appropriations process moves forward.

DELMARVA — Federal agriculture inspectors confirmed Thursday they have detected New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in southern Texas near the Mexican border. It is the first verified case of the livestock parasite crossing into the United States.

Markets

The discovery sent shockwaves through cattle markets. Livestock futures surged dramatically at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. August live cattle contracts finished $3.67 higher, closing at $241.52. October live cattle ended $4.80 higher at $233.80. August feeder cattle jumped $10.75. The gains came on oversold conditions and the screwworm news out of Texas.

Disease Concerns

In other livestock developments, highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks have been identified in Texas and Utah, adding to disease concerns affecting dairy operations.

Meanwhile, Illinois cattle ranchers are reporting a strong start to this year’s hay season. One rancher says the hay is abundant this year, a welcome contrast to last season’s short crop.

Local Markets

Locally, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.70 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans are $10.70 for July.

Forecast

Clear skies are expected tonight with a low around 64°. Friday brings mostly sunny conditions with a high near 81°. Fair weather continues into Saturday before a chance of showers and thunderstorms moves in Saturday night.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 4, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

A major agricultural trade organization is pushing federal commodity regulators to accelerate the release of critical market data that farmers and grain businesses depend on for managing financial risks.

The National Grain and Feed Association submitted comments on June 4, 2026, to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission backing the agency’s examination of its Commitments of Traders Reporting Program while proposing modifications to enhance market transparency and risk oversight for agricultural industry participants.

The trade group highlighted that these trader commitment reports serve as an essential information source for farmers, cooperatives, grain companies, processors, exporters, and other commercial entities who depend on futures markets for price risk protection. Although these reports rank among the CFTC’s most popular resources, the association believes the program needs updating to better match current rapid-paced and increasingly connected markets.

The organization’s suggestions include having the Commission release trader commitment reports twice weekly while shortening the existing three-day delay between information gathering and public release, assuming the agency can maintain report precision and reliability. The association also recommended that the CFTC investigate supplementary market information that might offer a fuller view of trading patterns.

The trade group stressed that such enhancements would assist market users in making better-informed risk management choices while maintaining information accuracy and trader privacy protection.

“Commitments of Traders reports are an important transparency tool for agricultural markets,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “NGFA applauds the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s efforts to review and strengthen the program and looks forward to working with the Commission as it considers opportunities to enhance the usefulness and accessibility of market data for all participants.”

A dangerous parasite that hasn’t been seen in the United States for more than fifty years has returned, creating serious concerns for America’s $113 billion cattle industry. Officials have verified that the New World screwworm fly has infected livestock in southern Texas.

Authorities discovered the outbreak in a 3-week-old calf located in La Pryor, Texas, positioned roughly 100 miles southwest of San Antonio and 50 miles from the Mexican border. Both federal and state agencies had been working to prevent this parasite from entering Texas, which houses $17 billion in cattle value and leads the nation in this agricultural sector.

Officials detected these dangerous insects in Mexico during late 2024 following years of successful containment in Panama.

From the 1930s through the 1960s, this pest regularly plagued cattle operations during warm seasons, until American authorities eliminated it through a unique approach involving breeding infertile male flies and releasing massive quantities from aircraft to mate with wild females. According to the USDA, this recent discovery marks the first Texas case since 1966.

The New World screwworm fly found in the Western Hemisphere, along with its Old World relative in Africa and Asia, stands apart from other flies because its larvae consume living tissue and bodily fluids rather than decomposing matter. After mating just once during their months-long lifespan, females deposit eggs in open injuries and mucous membranes.

All warm-blooded creatures, including wild animals, domestic pets, and sometimes humans, face potential infestation risks.

Cattle face particular vulnerability due to standard handling procedures, explained Lee Haines, an associate research professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, in Thursday email correspondence. Common cattle management activities that break skin include shearing and de-horning, while moving animals through corrals can create scrapes and cuts. The birthing process also leaves both mothers and calves at risk, she noted.

Stephen Diebel, a Texas rancher and president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, emphasized that even injuries “as small as a tick bite,” can endanger cattle.

“These flies can lay eggs in very, very small places,” he stated.

Researchers and cattle organizations report that infected wounds develop terrible odors and cause severe suffering or death when infestations go untreated. During previous decades, ranchers experienced tens of millions in financial losses — equivalent to potentially billions in current currency.

However, agricultural authorities emphasized that this fly does not contaminate food products.

Federal and state officials along with cattle industry representatives have been issuing public warnings about the fly’s movement through Mexico toward the United States since confirming a case in southern Mexico during November 2024.

This spread has severely damaged Mexico’s beef sector, especially after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shut down border entry points to livestock imports in July 2025 to keep the fly from entering Texas.

Mexico has documented thousands of infestations, and Rollins has contended that the Mexican government hasn’t taken sufficient action to regulate animal movement within their borders, a claim Mexican officials have disputed. Rollins has also criticized former Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration, claiming that inadequate border security contributed to the flies’ migration.

However, Haines identified climate change as a crucial factor in the expansion of this tropical species that flourishes in warm conditions and previously vanished during cold periods in the United States.

“The cold snaps that once suppressed stray populations in marginal northern regions are becoming rarer and less severe, thus removing a natural biological check on the flies’ migration north,” she explained. “Warmer temperatures are also expanding the geographical band of suitable habitat northward.”

Texas State Veterinarian Bud Dinges established a 12-mile quarantine zone encompassing most of Zavala County, which includes La Pryor, and a small section of adjacent Uvalde County. Animals cannot exit this area without inspection. Dinges has encouraged residents to examine their animals — including pets — and to “stay put.”

Rollins explained that the fly cannot travel hundreds or even dozens of miles independently. “The only way this spreads is through animal movement,” she stated.

Area ranchers worry the fly will spread among wild animals, especially deer. The previous U.S. outbreak primarily affected deer in the Florida Keys during 2016, although officials confirmed one case last year in a Maryland man who had visited El Salvador and recovered. During the 2016 Florida situation, authorities eliminated the fly within six months by releasing sterile males to mate with females.

In Texas, Haines forecasted, “Their numbers will continue to expand in wildlife populations.”

Rollins reported that the USDA has been releasing millions of sterile male flies in south Texas since February to prevent the insects’ expansion. Officials plan to maintain this strategy.

The USDA established a center in south Texas during February to distribute flies bred in Panama, and invested $21 million in a new fly-breeding facility in southern Mexico expected to begin operations next month.

Diebel, whose family operation sits approximately 200 miles east of the quarantine area, said ranchers are preventively administering injections that block screwworm infestation. They’re also taking additional precautions to treat injuries from ear tagging and other procedures while closely monitoring for illness signs.

“Surveillance is one of the biggest things — just constantly monitoring those cattle,” Diebel explained.

He said he wouldn’t be shocked to see additional isolated cases confirmed, but added, “I’m very confident we can keep this at bay.”

Government and industry representatives express confidence in containing the fly within the United States because the most effective eradication method is both proven and highly successful: releasing sterile males into natural populations. While males are “promiscuous,” scientifically speaking, females are not, and if their single mating encounter involves a sterile male, none of that female’s eggs will develop.

When sterile males become sufficiently abundant — with millions released weekly — the fly population decreases and eventually disappears.

The United States closed its own fly production facilities after eliminating the pest decades ago, leaving only an international breeding operation in Panama in the Western Hemisphere until the new Mexican facility opens. Nevertheless, the USDA is also investing $750 million to construct a fly factory in southern Texas capable of producing up to 300 million sterile flies weekly.

“The sterile insect is not only the most effective tool we have, but it is also considered one of the most environmental friendly insect pest control methods ever developed,” Rollins stated.

Recent federal agricultural data shows the nation’s cheese manufacturing sector produced 1.27 billion pounds during the reporting period, representing a mixed performance compared to earlier timeframes.

The production figures, which do not include cottage cheese manufacturing, showed a 1.7 percent increase when compared to April 2025 numbers. Meanwhile, output climbed 0.3 percent above March 2026 levels.

The statistics come from the latest dairy industry report tracking production across the United States, providing insight into the ongoing performance of this key agricultural sector.

Cattle markets experienced dramatic swings Thursday following confirmation of a dangerous parasite discovery that has livestock producers across the nation on high alert.

Federal agriculture officials announced Wednesday evening that New World screwworm had been identified in a Texas calf, representing the first detection in that state since 1966. The flesh-eating pest has been moving northward through Mexico throughout the past year.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressed confidence Thursday that the agency can successfully contain this isolated incident. However, any broader outbreak could further reduce America’s cattle population, which has already reached its lowest point in three-quarters of a century.

“The New World screwworm sounds like something from a horror movie, but it’s real,” stated Nate Sheets, a Republican nominee for Texas agriculture commissioner. “It is an agricultural emergency.”

Market reactions proved volatile throughout Thursday’s trading session. Feeder cattle contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange initially declined as investors feared consumer demand for beef might weaken. However, prices quickly reversed course, climbing more than 3% as supply concerns took precedence.

Texas livestock operations face potentially devastating financial consequences, with industry experts estimating economic damages could reach $1.8 billion if the parasite establishes itself more widely.

“We’re going to need to see how fast it spreads and how the consumer reacts,” explained Matt Wiegand, commodity broker for FuturesOne. “Until we see a big demand impact from the consumer side, (cattle) numbers are still tight.”

The nation’s cattle supply has been steadily declining due to prolonged drought conditions that increased feed expenses and forced ranchers to reduce their herds. This shortage has created challenges for major meat processing companies, including JBS, Cargill and Tyson Foods, as they struggle to secure adequate animals for their facilities.

Industry representatives are pushing for flexibility in movement restrictions. The Meat Institute, representing processing companies, has asked federal officials to permit “low-risk” livestock shipments for slaughter despite the agency’s decision to halt animal transportation in the affected region. These shipments would involve animals traveling directly from uninfected farms to processing facilities.

Despite significant federal investment in prevention efforts, the parasite’s appearance indicates that screwworm flies successfully entered the country and will likely establish populations among wild animals, according to Lee Haines, an associate research professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

“The burden falls hardest on farmers who must monitor animals scattered across vast open rangeland, often going unobserved for days at a time,” Haines noted.

DOSWELL—With meat prices hitting record levels and protein demand soaring, rural communities are set to benefit from a federal initiative designed to expand the nation’s smaller meat processing operations.

Virginia has the infrastructure to handle the 14,000 head of beef cattle produced annually within state borders, but farmers face significant challenges including long transportation requirements, workforce shortages, and extensive processing delays that impact both producers and consumers seeking locally-sourced products.

After hosting a June 3 discussion with 20 agricultural leaders at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy unveiled the new U.S. Department of Agriculture Small Processors Action Plan.

Rollins characterized the initiative as a crucial move toward increasing market competition, enhancing local accessibility, and maintaining livestock operations within regional boundaries.

“Why are we shipping these beautiful beef cattle from Virginia all the way to the middle of the country to get processed?” she asked.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation state board member Barry Bates of Essex County explained that the shortage of local meat processing operations has generated significant scheduling challenges for agricultural producers, with processing appointments reserved months ahead of time.

Enhanced processing capabilities, he noted, “It would be a lot better logistically for the operators.”

The comprehensive package combines regulatory adjustments, service improvements, and financial support designed to help smaller meat and poultry facilities increase their operational capacity and better assist farmers. USDA officials said the plan will work alongside a fourth phase of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, which provides an additional $60 million in funding for qualifying processors.

“We are building a food system that works not just for the biggest players, but also for the family farms and the small businesses across America,” Rollins said.

Trey Davis, president and CEO of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, expressed optimism about USDA’s commitment to supporting processors, noting the agency is demonstrating “there’s room for processors of every size.”

Rollins emphasized the program aims to bolster local food networks while maintaining existing safety protocols.

“This is about helping our small plants operate safely, compete fairly, and remain part of a strong local and regional food supply,” she said.

Kennedy connected the initiative to the administration’s wider food policy that prioritizes whole, nutrient-rich foods.

Agricultural leaders and supporters at the discussion, including VFBF President Scott Sink, said the announcement tackles a persistent industry challenge, though implementation will require patience.

The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability stands ready to assist farmers in understanding the action plan, which represents another valuable “tool in the toolbox,” according to Whitney Perkins, director of the nonprofit organization that provides technical support for value-added farming operations.

“We will be sure those tools are really working the way that they want them to, and that they’re adequately funded on top of that, because the demand is there,” she said. “We can help producers get connected and navigate the process.”

Visit vafairs.com to learn more.

Media: Contact Samuel Thomas Holcomb, USDA public affairs, at 771-233-3452; or Perkins at 804-290-1158.

TAPPAHANNOCK—Virginia’s wheat farmers are dealing with substantial crop losses this season after a combination of extended spring dry conditions and unseasonable late frost damaged fields across the state, according to findings from an agricultural assessment conducted on May 28.

During the annual inspection that covered 10 farming operations, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation grain manager Robert Harper reported that wheat farms in the Northern Neck region showed an average yield of 69 bushels per acre, while Middle Peninsula operations averaged 47 bushels per acre.

The assessment marks the 11th consecutive year that Virginia has participated in the regional Mid-Atlantic wheat evaluation, which encompasses farming operations across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and Virginia Cooperative Extension coordinated this year’s inspection alongside the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center. During visits to 10 farming operations spanning the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula areas, grain purchasers, processing facilities, researchers and agricultural industry professionals evaluated crop yield expectations, examined grain quality and monitored disease conditions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service projects Virginia farmers will bring in 3.1 million bushels of winter wheat during this harvest season. Last year’s Virginia harvest yielded 4.6 million bushels thanks to expanded acreage and better crop performance.

Extended periods of temperatures below freezing inflicted major damage on wheat crops during a critical development phase, according to Robbie Longest, a Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Essex County.

“At about 28 to 29 degrees for several consecutive hours, you can have very severe yield losses due to floret sterility,” Longest explained. “We had that a lot in this area.”

Longest indicated that damage in some fields is so extensive that harvesting may not occur. Consequently, some producers are considering alternative options for their damaged crops. They are investigating markets for bundled wheat straw sold for autumn decorative purposes or construction industry applications, which could help compensate for decreased grain production.

“You’re going to see harvested acreage depressed even further,” Longest said, pointing to fields where entire sections may instead be replanted into other crops. Similar conditions were last seen in 2020, though Longest said such events historically occur only once every few decades.

The sequence of unusually warm February conditions followed by delayed freezing temperatures created particularly harmful circumstances, speeding up crop growth before subjecting plants to damaging cold weather.

“Timing is everything with wheat, and this year proved how little margin for error farmers have,” said Harper. “You can do everything right—plant on time, manage for a strong stand—but in the end, weather is one factor you can’t control. A late frost like this can undo a lot of hard work in just a few hours.”

Wheat producers are planning to harvest 60,000 acres for grain production throughout Virginia’s 95 counties during June and July.

Media: Contact Harper at 804-290-1105.

CHESTER, Va.—A Virginia farming family has achieved a groundbreaking accomplishment in sustainable agriculture, earning recognition as pioneers in the regenerative farming movement.

Alan Thibault hosted agricultural leaders, policymakers, and food and wine industry representatives at his family’s Ashton Creek Vineyard in Chester on May 20 to celebrate estate wines, pasture-raised lamb, and a historic achievement in Virginia farming.

Ashton Creek Vineyard and its sister operation Riverside Vines in Dinwiddie County have become Virginia’s first vineyard facilities to earn Certified Regenified status—combining soil health, biodiversity, and animal care into a comprehensive farming approach.

“This distinction reflects a strong commitment to soil health, stewardship and a long-term agricultural sustainability that closely aligns with the mission and conservation priorities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service,” remarked Edwin Martinez, NRCS state conservationist for Virginia.

The NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, which began in December 2025, is allocating $700 million to support voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation strategies. According to Martinez, the initiative “targets a whole-farm approach while promoting soil health, water management, natural vitality and productivity, and the prosperity of American agriculture and communities.”

Thibault, a first-generation farmer, shared his family’s transformation from “linear to circular farming” while facing growing agricultural obstacles. Starting with their initial grape plantings in 2006 and expanding with additional farmland purchases in Sutherland in 2018, the family battled rising input costs and deteriorating soil conditions.

“We really wanted to fix the root cause of the sickness instead of always addressing the symptoms,” he explained.

Faced with overwhelming mechanical weeding demands, the Thibaults brought Dormer sheep into their vineyards three years ago to manage vegetation and improve soil quality. With Ashton Creek’s regenerative certified lamb now featured prominently on their tasting room menu, the family has refined their expanding flock of approximately 100 sheep, introduced beneficial insects to combat vineyard pests, and expanded their cover crop varieties.

Beyond witnessing improved biodiversity in their fields, stronger young vines, and better nutrient content in their sheep, the Thibaults have successfully eliminated synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, reduced fungicide applications by 40%, minimized mowing and labor requirements, cut outside inputs by 65%, and boosted their soil’s organic matter by 400% and carbon sequestration by 350%.

“We’re really excited to build something that we feel can be sustainable for the next generation,” Thibault reflected. “And we’re not going to stop at this certification. We want to continue to improve that organic matter and capture more carbon, be that difference in the climate and community, and produce products that everyone can be proud of.”

AJ Greely, president of the Virginia Vineyards Association, referenced the devastating impacts of the April 21 freeze on vineyards throughout the state.

“Regenerative farming ultimately leads to stronger vineyards—ones that will move forward and flourish despite the challenges we face,” she added. “Now it’s time for the next generation to step up, and Alan is part of that next generation that’s going to lead us more sustainably.”

Serving as co-chair of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Chesterfield County Young Farmers Committee, Thibault helps guide emerging agricultural leaders from the community level. He recently hosted young farmers from throughout the state at Ashton Creek Vineyard for a VFBF Young Farmers Winter Expo networking dinner.

“A first-generation farmer who started one way but then figured out what was going to work for his operation, and being a pioneer in regenerative agriculture—something that’s still being looked at—is significant,” remarked VFBF President Scott Sink. “Our Farm Bureau leaders are always pioneering, and it’s just great to be able to support him in that journey.”

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa serves as a striking illustration of water contamination challenges facing the Midwest region.

As a major farming state with numerous waterways, agricultural drainage containing nitrates and phosphorus flows from fertilized fields and livestock operations into local rivers and streams. This contamination makes Iowa a significant source of pollution feeding an oxygen-depleted zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

For generations, locals have dealt with polluted waterways. The contamination impacts both community health and recreational water activities during summer months.

Toxic algae growth creates hazardous beach conditions, while sediment runoff leaves water feeling unpleasant. Bacterial contamination, sometimes from human waste, prevents young people from using streams. State monitoring in 2024 found over half of surveyed river, stream and lake sections failed to meet safety standards for recreation, consumption or marine ecosystems.

Despite being inland, Iowa’s character is defined by major waterways like the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers that border the state. The region features scenic lakefront areas and quality trout fishing locations. These water bodies represent some of the state’s limited natural recreation areas.

During a recent outing, Hannah Ray J Childs navigated her kayak through Maquoketa River rapids, using her paddle to lift her boat’s bow skyward. She enjoys performing whitewater kayaking stunts that submerge her completely — these waters provided her with a sense of belonging.

However, waterborne illness has affected her, prompting her to use protective nose and ear gear to reduce exposure. Many people question her decision to enter the water at all.

“People’s first response when I tell them that I like to kayak and be upside down in the river,” Childs said, “is, ‘Ew, that’s disgusting. Why would you do that?’”

While she believes the risk is acceptable, water quality issues have become too concerning for others to feel safe.

Mary Swander, a 75-year-old theater director and former state poet laureate, recalls fondly learning water sports and swimming outdoors during her youth near waterways. Summer meant water play, while winter brought ice skating opportunities.

“I had a little group of friends and we played hooky once, and we all got our swimsuits and drove over to Lake MacBride and spent the whole day in the lake, in the water, swimming, and we had a whole picnic,” she said.

Swander now stays away from water following negative encounters. During one state park visit, the water felt unusual — sticky to the touch. On another occasion, a park official warned her canoeing party against any water contact.

“I was like, ‘Well, what the hell are we doing out here, then?’” she said.

Bacterial pollution represents the primary factor making waterways unusable. Sources include livestock, wildlife and other animals, though human sewage creates the most significant issues in certain areas. Specialists indicate heavy rainfall poses major risks by washing away animal waste — a threat that climate change will worsen — making sewage system improvements and septic repair essential.

Nutrients from livestock waste and farm fertilizers also drive the contamination crisis. Extensive farmland uses underground plastic drainage systems — known as tile drainage — to rapidly channel water toward streams. These nutrients fuel algae growth, resulting in lake warnings and endangering water supplies.

Environmental advocates view the state as unable to regulate agricultural interests effectively.

Minnesota has required protective vegetation along waterways to limit runoff, while Iowa has chosen an alternative strategy. The state depends on agriculture and natural resource agencies, working with Iowa State University, to create voluntary programs including reduced fertilizer application, better crop practices and wetland restoration to decrease runoff.

Farmers also face significant pressures. Input costs have increased dramatically recently, with fertilizer expenses rising following conflict in Iran, according to Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, which advocates for family operations and environmental practices.

“There’s a lot less control that farmers have,” Lehman said.

Additionally, producers may wait years to see financial benefits — if any — from adopting improved methods. Requests for federal and state assistance exceed available resources, according to Rachel Curry, an agriculture educator at the University of Illinois Extension.

Someone once described the situation to her this way: Modifying agricultural practices resembles steering a cruise ship — progress takes time, but with proper support, change is achievable.

MANCHESTER, Iowa — On a recent afternoon, Hannah Ray J Childs navigated her kayak through rapids on Iowa’s Maquoketa River, using her paddle to lift her boat’s bow skyward.

The whitewater kayaking stunts that submerge her completely give her a “feeling of flying,” she explained. These waters brought her community and romance — she first noticed her future husband while he was performing kayak rolls in turbulent currents, and he later became her instructor.

However, waterborne illness has affected her, prompting her to use nose and ear protection to reduce exposure. Many question her continued participation in the sport.

“People’s first response when I tell them that I like to kayak and be upside down in the river,” Childs said, “is, ‘Ew, that’s disgusting. Why would you do that?’”

The state serves as a striking illustration of the Midwest’s widespread contamination crisis. As a major producer of corn, soybeans and pork, Iowa features extensive waterway networks. Agricultural fertilizers and livestock waste containing nitrates and phosphorus flow into these systems, making the state a significant source of pollution feeding an oceanic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. During the previous summer, the state’s largest city implemented water usage limits while working to eliminate dangerous nitrates from municipal supplies.

Contamination has persisted as an intractable challenge for generations, impacting both community wellness and recreational opportunities during warmer months.

Toxic algae growth creates hazardous beach conditions, while sediment runoff makes water unpleasant for contact. Bacterial contamination, sometimes originating from human waste systems, prevents young people from using streams. Over half of the river, stream and lake segments monitored by the state in 2024 failed to achieve safety standards for swimming, consumption or supporting aquatic ecosystems.

Officials have depended on voluntary measures and financial incentives rather than regulatory requirements to decrease nitrate and phosphorus discharge, yet progress remains well below established targets. Environmental organizations recently filed legal action against the Trump administration, claiming it inappropriately overturned a Biden-era mandate requiring Iowa to tackle nitrate contamination in portions of multiple rivers.

Investment and modest progress have occurred. In May, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a $320 million funding package for water infrastructure and related initiatives, supplementing the approximately $100 million the state dedicates annually to addressing this issue. Phosphorus levels have decreased somewhat. Improved techniques including cover crops, reduced or eliminated tillage for soil protection, and farm-based installations to limit runoff have grown significantly in recent years.

Despite its inland location, Iowa’s character is influenced by waterways including the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that define portions of its boundaries. The state features scenic lakeside beaches and exceptional trout fishing opportunities. These waters represent some of its limited natural recreational areas.

Childs developed her appreciation for the Maquoketa River while growing up on a neighboring corn and hog operation. She recalls paddling with her brothers to locate fishing spots and exploring waterways with companions.

She currently volunteers to monitor the river for chemical contamination and advocated for a whitewater park in Manchester, her northeast Iowa community, to encourage others to experience the water.

“If we don’t get people invested in their local river, their local community, how are we ever going to ask them to take care of it?” she said.

Mary Swander, a 75-year-old theater director and former state poet laureate, recalls fondly learning to canoe and swim outdoors during her youth near water. Summer meant splashing activities, while winter brought ice skating.

“I had a little group of friends and we played hooky once, and we all got our swimsuits and drove over to Lake MacBride and spent the whole day in the lake, in the water, swimming, and we had a whole picnic,” she said.

Swander now stays away from water following negative experiences. Once the water at a state park felt unusual — sticky. Another time a ranger advised her canoeing party against putting their hands — or anything else — in the water.

“I was like, ‘Well, what the hell are we doing out here, then?’” she said.

While Swander found alternative activities to replace swimming and maintained some relationships, others diminished. The disappearance of gathering places beyond homes and workplaces where people can interact may complicate maintaining social connections, particularly for seniors, according to Philippa Clarke, a University of Michigan professor who studies social environments.

Bacterial contamination plays the primary role in making waterways unusable. It originates from cattle, deer and other wildlife, though human sewage represents the main problem in certain areas. Specialists indicate heavy rainfall poses major risks by washing away manure — something climate change will worsen — and upgrading sewage treatment and failing septic systems remains crucial.

Nitrates and phosphorus from livestock waste and agricultural fertilizers also drive the crisis. Millions of farmland acres utilize plastic underground pipes — called tile drainage systems — to rapidly channel water into streams. These nutrients fuel algae growth, prompting lake warnings and threatening drinking water supplies.

The difficulty of maintaining clean water bodies is demonstrated by Lake Darling, an approximately 300-acre artificial lake providing camping, trails and swimming beaches in Iowa’s southeast region. However, last year the lake experienced the poorest overall condition of any state beach with 10 weeks of E. Coli warnings and six algal advisories, according to the Iowa Environmental Council, which monitors such alerts.

Years earlier the lake was closed, emptied and renovated — transforming its previous brown water into appealing, clearer conditions. Adjacent property owners modified their land to capture runoff, and important acreage was acquired for conservation, according to Bob Shepherd who participates in a dedicated park volunteer organization.

Recently, though, it has faced difficulties, said Claire Hruby, an environmental science professor at Drake University who researched contamination at the lake. Hruby noted several new hog facilities have been established in the lake’s watershed, and nutrient discharge from manure creates algae problems.

During particularly severe conditions, “It’s like swimming in green paint,” she said.

Water quality worries deter people even during days that aren’t severely affected, according to Lawrence Eyre, a tennis camp director and instructor at a local school. As recently as a few years ago, children would complete tennis matches on courts heated by summer sun and, moments later, enjoy swimming rewards in another nearby lake.

However, parents observed that some children developed itchy skin, and algae emerged along the shoreline. Information circulated, and many preferred their children avoid the risk. Now they typically don’t attempt it, Eyre said.

“It does put a dent in the enjoyment of the summer,” he said.

Environmental advocates view a state unable to refuse agricultural interests.

In 2015, Des Moines’ water utility filed suit against three counties regarding expenses for filtering out nitrates. A judge ultimately dismissed the case, ruling that any effort to permit and reduce agricultural runoff fell under Iowa legislature authority.

While Minnesota has required vegetation near waterways to limit runoff, Iowa has chosen a different strategy. It depends on its agriculture and natural resources departments, alongside Iowa State University, to create voluntary approaches including reduced fertilizer application, enhanced crop management and wetland additions to decrease runoff.

The EPA assists states in implementing their nitrogen and phosphorus reduction strategies. The agency emphasized the importance of viewing agriculture as part of solutions and recognizing that progress requires time.

Many farmers also face pressures. Supply expenses have increased dramatically recently, as have fertilizer costs following the war in Iran, according to Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, which represents family operations and promotes sustainable methods.

“There’s a lot less control that farmers have,” Lehman said.

Additionally, farmers may wait years to see returns on their investments — if returns ever materialize — when they modify their practices. Demand for federal and state assistance exceeds availability, according to Rachel Curry, an agriculture educator at the University of Illinois Extension. Transforming farming methods resembles turning a cruise ship — it requires time, but with proper support, success is achievable.

Collaboration between the state and farmers remains essential, and mandates would undermine that trust, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in an interview with the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Others find encouragement in local achievements.

David Thoreson has sailed beyond the arctic circle and around continents — an adventurous life enabled because his mother taught him sailing on the Iowa Great Lakes in the state’s northwest region. He said local efforts to restore wetlands, acquire conservation land and upgrade sewage treatment have maintained lake health for visitors and residents.

“They understand the importance of it, and that’s what drives our economy and property values and multi-generational interest in this place that just keeps bringing people back,” Thoreson said.

Hungarian officials have confirmed the nation’s initial case of African swine fever among domesticated swine, according to an announcement from the National Food Chain Safety Office released on Thursday.

Officials have mandated the destruction of 3,000 animals at the impacted facility and are conducting investigations to determine how the disease originated and whether additional locations have been affected, according to the agency’s announcement.

A dangerous flesh-eating parasite that devastates livestock has made its way into the United States, with officials confirming Wednesday that New World screwworm was found in a Texas calf. The destructive pest had been moving northward from Central America through Mexico, breaking through biological defenses that had successfully contained it for many years, according to experts.

Federal authorities have banned cattle imports from Mexico for the past year due to the parasite’s expanding presence in that country.

The import restriction has pushed already record-breaking beef prices even higher by reducing the number of calves entering the U.S. market, at a time when the nation’s cattle population has already dropped to its lowest level in decades. This first confirmed U.S. case during the current outbreak poses a significant threat to ranchers and may drive beef costs up further.

Understanding the New World Screwworm

These parasitic flies reproduce by having females deposit eggs in open wounds on any animal with warm blood. Farm animals and wildlife typically fall victim to these pests. After the eggs develop, hundreds of screwworm larvae utilize their razor-sharp mouths to tunnel through living tissue, consuming flesh, expanding wounds, and ultimately destroying their host without proper treatment.

When these parasites attack cattle, even minor scratches, fresh brands, or healing ear tag sites can rapidly transform into massive wounds filled with writhing maggots that threaten the entire herd with contamination. Scientists eliminated screwworms from the United States during the 1960s by deploying millions of sterilized male flies that would mate with wild females to create eggs that couldn’t hatch.

Impact on American Consumers

Mexico normally supplies more than one million cattle to the U.S. annually. The suspension of these imports has intensified beef price increases by restricting the available supply of cattle, which had already decreased after drought conditions forced ranchers to reduce their herds.

Cattle from Mexico typically spend five to six months being fed and prepared on American farms before processing, so reduced slaughter numbers can drive up meat prices.

A widespread outbreak across the U.S. would further restrict cattle availability and endanger other farm animals and family pets.

Dr. Timothy Goldsmith, a veterinary medicine professor at the University of Minnesota, explained that screwworms will attack humans when possible. Goldsmith noted that homeless individuals face particular danger from infestation since they sleep outdoors and have limited access to sanitation supplies and healthcare.

Current Control Efforts

A specialized facility in Panama that breeds and sterilizes screwworms currently releases 100 million sterile flies weekly, though experts believe additional factories would need rapid deployment to halt the parasite’s northern migration.

Texas won’t have its own sterile fly production facility operational until late 2027. Federal agriculture officials completed a distribution center for sterile flies in Texas this past February.

Sonja Swiger, an entomologist at Texas A&M University, explained that while screwworms can only fly about 12 miles independently, they can travel vast distances while embedded in their hosts. The flies have already moved through the most narrow land areas in Panama and Mexico, requiring exponentially larger releases of sterile flies to manage the outbreak.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last year it would spend $21 million to modify a fruit fly facility in Mexico for sterile screwworm production.

Consequences for Cattle Ranchers

Federal agriculture officials estimate a screwworm outbreak would cost Texas $1.8 billion through livestock losses, labor expenses, and medication costs. Following decades without the pest, most cattle ranchers lack the knowledge or equipment to identify and address screwworm infestations. While treatable, the process requires extracting hundreds of larvae and completely sanitizing wounds, making it expensive, time-consuming, and labor-demanding.

“This is a pest we don’t want back. This is a bad thing,” said David Anderson, livestock economist at Texas A&M University. “I can’t imagine having to deal with that. It’s gross.”

DELMARVA — Federal agriculture officials have confirmed New World screwworm in the United States for the first time. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced yesterday evening that the dangerous livestock parasite was discovered in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas. The infestation was found in the animal’s umbilical region. Officials have established a 20-kilometer containment area with quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance to prevent spread. The parasite poses a serious threat to all livestock producers.

Markets

Cattle futures took a beating yesterday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. August live cattle dropped $1.80 to close at $347.85. October contracts fell $1.87 to $229. Feeder cattle saw even steeper losses with August contracts down $5.80 to $342.62. September feeders also lost $5.80 closing at $339.32.

Locally, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.71 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans for July are at $10.89.

Forecast

Expect sunny skies today with a high near 80° and light southwest winds. Tonight stays mostly clear with lows around 64°. Friday brings more sunshine, high of 81° with light southwest breezes. Perfect weather for field work across Delmarva.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 4, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Federal agriculture officials have verified the presence of the New World screwworm fly in southern Texas, marking the first detection in nearly six decades of the parasite whose flesh-consuming larvae pose a significant danger to the nation’s livestock sector.

The case was identified in a three-week-old calf located in LaPryor, Texas, approximately 50 miles from the Mexican border, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday. In response, Texas State Veterinarian Bud Dinges has implemented a 12-mile quarantine perimeter that restricts movement of all warm-blooded creatures, including household pets, without proper inspection.

While no additional detections have occurred within U.S. borders, Rollins emphasized that although the larvae present dangers to livestock operations, they do not contaminate food products. She noted that with appropriate treatment, even the affected calf is expected to make a full recovery.

For over a year, agriculture officials and cattle industry representatives have been raising public awareness about the fly’s spread throughout Mexico, driven by historical memories of the pest causing tens of millions in economic damage before its elimination in the 1970s.

This marks the initial confirmed occurrence in Texas since 1966, according to Rollins.

Extensive prevention measures have involved releasing millions of sterilized screwworm flies in the region to breed with wild females, employing the same successful strategy used during the previous eradication campaign. Rollins expressed confidence in the preparedness efforts, stating the USDA believes “there is no threat of mass infestation.”

“There is no reason to believe this incursion will result in establishment of the pest in our country,” Rollins stated.

The confirmation came just one day following Rollins’ online press briefing highlighting the approaching danger, with confirmed cases in Mexico detected as near as 25 miles from the border, while outlining the department’s combat strategies.

The New World Screwworm fly represents a tropical species that historically infected cattle during warm seasons throughout the southern United States, but remained confined to Panama until the end of 2024.

Female flies deposit eggs within open wounds or mucous membranes, which develop into flesh-consuming larvae that differ from typical fly species and can affect livestock, wild animals, pets, and humans. Without treatment, infestations may prove fatal.

In August 2025, federal health authorities verified a case involving a Maryland resident who had visited El Salvador, though the individual recovered and officials discovered no parasite transmission. The previous outbreak occurred in the Florida Keys during September 2016, primarily affecting wild deer, and was successfully contained by early the following year.

Female flies reproduce only once during their multi-month lifespan, and mating with sterile flies prevents egg hatching, eventually eliminating the population. Previous eradication success led the U.S. to close sterile fly breeding facilities, maintaining only one in Panama for decades.

This situation is now changing. The USDA allocated $21 million to transform a fruit-fly breeding facility in southern Mexico for screwworm fly production, established a new distribution center for sterile flies in southern Texas, and began constructing a $750 million screwworm fly facility there. The Mexican breeding operation should begin functioning next month, Rollins reported.

Officials have also positioned 8,000 fly traps along the U.S.-Mexico border, with the USDA examining over 58,000 fly specimens and 19,000 wild animals.

Rollins additionally suspended U.S.-Mexico livestock imports from Mexico last year, a choice she supported during Tuesday’s press conference. While the fly can also travel with people, pets, and wild animals, Rollins stressed Wednesday evening that it cannot fly long distances independently.

Dinges emphasized that ranchers and pet owners must respect the quarantine boundaries.

“Please help us prevent any further movement of this pest by staying put,” he stated.

A leading dairy industry organization has responded to federal agriculture officials’ confirmation that New World screwworm has made its way back to American soil, marking the pest’s return after being wiped out years ago.

In a statement, the organization’s President and CEO Gregg Doud called the development “a disappointing milestone” while noting that dairy producers have spent more than a year preparing for this scenario alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agricultural sectors. Doud emphasized that “this development has no effect on food safety” and highlighted that proven methods to fight the screwworm and prevent its spread are already established.

“We appreciate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proactive efforts to prepare for this moment, and we stand ready to work with the department to address any ongoing challenges,” Doud stated.

Following the USDA’s official confirmation of the screwworm’s presence, dairy farmers and livestock producers are committing to work closely with federal, state and local authorities, as well as producer groups, to minimize negative impacts and teach farmers protective measures for their animals. The organization has been developing educational materials to help farmers respond appropriately and plans to keep members updated on significant developments related to the screwworm situation.

The statement also called on officials to base decisions regarding animal transportation and regulatory actions on scientific evidence to prevent economic damage that might exceed the harm caused by the screwworm itself. Additionally, the organization requested sufficient funding to address the problem, noting that it causes animal suffering and poses risks to agricultural producers.

DELMARVA — Delaware has entered a drought watch as water levels continue to decline across the state. Governor Matt Meyer made the declaration Wednesday following recommendations from the state Water Supply Coordinating Council.

Kent and Sussex counties are experiencing the most severe impacts from the dry conditions. DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson said Delaware would need 21 inches of rain over the next 3 months to restore water supplies to typical levels.

Residents are being urged to voluntarily cut back on outdoor water use and conserve water indoors. The state’s open burning ban remains in effect through September 30.

Trade

Federal officials confirmed Wednesday that China has started buying new crop soybeans from the U.S. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden announced the purchases during a Wall Street Journal event, marking a notable development in trade relations.

Markets

Cattle futures took significant losses Wednesday at the Chicago Merc. August live cattle dropped $1.80 to close at $347.85. Feeder cattle fell even harder, with August contracts losing $5.80 to close at $342.62.

Locally, corn at Laurel Grain Company is bringing $4.77 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans there are at $10.94 for July.

Forecast

Temperatures will hold at 80° this evening under sunny skies with southeast winds at 10 mph. Clear skies tonight with a low near 60°. Thursday looks pleasant with sunshine and a high of 76°. Clear to mostly clear Thursday night with a low around 64°.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 3, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Virginia hunters experienced a successful 2025-26 deer hunting season, with the state’s latest harvest report showing impressive numbers across all categories.

Hunters throughout Virginia reported taking 227,302 deer during the 2025-2026 hunting seasons, which included early September antlerless seasons for both firearms and urban archery. This total represents roughly a 10% jump from the previous year’s count of 205,759 deer over the same period, and exceeds the 10-year average of 198,666 by 14%.

The season’s harvest breakdown showed 108,163 antlered bucks, 14,631 button bucks, 973 shed bucks, and 103,535 does, which made up 45.5% of the total. Archery hunters accounted for 32,730 deer, muzzleloader hunters took 51,472, and firearms hunters harvested 143,100. An additional 2,636 deer were reported during Youth and Apprentice Weekend.

In areas where hunting deer with dogs remains legal, canines assisted in taking half of all deer killed during firearms season and represented 35% of the annual harvest in those counties. Late antlerless seasons contributed approximately 2,000 additional antlerless deer to the overall total.

Among the 177,541 deer licenses sold statewide, 99,351 license holders reported successful harvests, creating a 56% success rate. Officials note this percentage may actually be higher since some license holders may have focused exclusively on turkey hunting.

Several hunting regulation changes implemented for the past season, particularly in firearms season west of the Blue Ridge, aimed to expand hunting opportunities and boost doe harvest to achieve population management goals. These modifications appear to have succeeded, with buck harvest increasing 8% while doe harvest jumped 22% in affected areas.

Interestingly, daily deer harvest rates exceeded the previous year’s pace from archery season’s opening day forward, despite abundant acorn crops across much of the state. Typically, plentiful mast crops reduce deer movement and harvest numbers since deer don’t need to travel far for food.

The state attempted to gather new data about buck antler spread to estimate yearling buck percentages, but technical problems prevented complete data collection. This information will be available in future reports once hunters update their GoOutdoors applications.

Statistics show most successful hunters take relatively few deer, with nearly three-quarters of successful licensed hunters harvesting two or fewer deer. The majority take only one deer, while just 1.4% reach the maximum limit of six deer. Only about 2% of successful hunters exceed annual bag limits through bonus, DMAP, DPOP, and DCAP tags.

Data tracking bucks with eight or more antler points suggests an improving age structure and increased hunter selectivity over time. The state began maintaining antler point records in 2004 with electronic reporting options and switched to full electronic reporting in 2021.

Successful hunters averaged 2.09 deer each in 2025, slightly higher than most other whitetail states where the average stays just under two deer per hunter. These calculations don’t include license-exempt hunters due to lack of unique identification numbers.

The nation’s poultry industry is showing signs of growth according to new federal agricultural data. Statistics reveal that broiler-type egg production across the United States has climbed by 1 percent compared to previous periods.

The industry has also seen a 3 percent increase in broiler-type chick placement operations throughout the country. These figures indicate positive momentum in the commercial poultry sector, which plays a significant role in America’s agricultural economy.

DES MOINES, IA, June 3, 2026 — Officials from the National Pork Producers Council outlined their approach to securing favorable policies, regulatory changes, and improved market opportunities for farmers during a live discussion at this year’s World Pork Expo.

The panel explored how policy advocacy operates from the nation’s capital to state government offices, examining regulatory and legislative challenges facing pig farming operations across federal and state jurisdictions.

“The landscape is shifting, and our sector faces unprecedented challenges. A powerful and credible voice is essential to break through the clutter and help policymakers and regulators grasp how their choices affect our operations,” stated Rob Brenneman, NPPC president and Iowa pork producer. “NPPC advocates for what farmers need at home by fighting false information, ensuring legislative and regulatory choices are based on science, and providing clear, accurate details about agriculture.”

Joining Brenneman were Bryan Humphreys, NPPC chief executive officer; Maria C. Zieba, vice president of government affairs; and Pat McGonegle, Iowa Pork Producers Association CEO, who discussed effective advocacy approaches across all government levels.

Zieba provided an inside perspective on advocacy work, highlighting how NPPC has successfully gained access to important discussions to amplify farmer concerns.

“Early involvement is crucial for our success. We participate—often—long before bills and regulations are officially introduced, making sure producer viewpoints are included from the start—and continuously,” Zieba explained.

Zieba highlighted the One Big Beautiful Bill as a demonstration of how NPPC leverages its influence to stay ahead of changing issues.

“Congress implemented significant reductions in the reconciliation bill, but regarding animal health, they maintained the essential funding NPPC sought,” she noted. “This funding represents an investment in animal welfare and rural America’s well-being, and Congress recognized its importance.”

The discussion also covered the 2026 Farm Bill, California Proposition 12, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, animal health preparedness, and additional topics.

World Pork Expo serves as the pork sector’s premier annual gathering, drawing over 10,000 U.S. farmers, international attendees, and industry experts, creating an optimal setting for addressing critical policy issues and opportunities.

Tissue samples from a potential flesh-eating screwworm outbreak at a Texas cattle ranch have been forwarded to a federal laboratory in Iowa for analysis, according to Texas Representative Don McLaughlin, who spoke about the matter on Wednesday.

The specimens were collected from two calves at a ranch in La Pryor, Texas on Tuesday, McLaughlin reported. The representative stated he had viewed photographs and video footage documenting these suspected cases.

A photograph that Reuters reviewed, which McLaughlin verified as depicting the same incident, had been shared among livestock producers throughout Wednesday, causing unrest in cattle futures markets. Reuters was unable to immediately authenticate the photograph.

The Texas Animal Health Commission informed Reuters on Wednesday that no verified case of New World screwworm has been documented in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees screwworm prevention efforts nationwide, did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.

Earlier this week, the agency stated that McLaughlin had provided incorrect information when he claimed a confirmed case existed one mile south of the Texas border. The USDA verified a case located 25 miles south of the Texas border in Coahuila state on Tuesday.

DELMARVA — Cattle producers across the region may need to prepare for a parasitic threat most have never encountered. The New World screwworm was completely eliminated from the United States in 1966, meaning today’s ranchers have no direct experience managing this larval infestation. Livestock officials are urging producers to stay informed about warning signs and response protocols.

As summer approaches, monitoring for heat stress in herds becomes increasingly critical. Cattle show warning signs gradually, starting with minor behavioral shifts well before serious symptoms appear. By the time heavy breathing with an open mouth or sluggish behavior becomes visible, productivity declines may have already taken hold.

Markets

Livestock futures dropped Tuesday at the Chicago exchange. Live cattle for August settlement fell $0.95 to close at $239.65. Feeder cattle saw steeper losses, with August contracts down $3.12 to finish at $348.42.

Locally, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.84 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans are at $11.09 for July.

Forecast

Expect sunny skies today with a high of 75° and light northeast winds. Tonight stays clear with lows around 61°. Thursday looks nearly identical, sunny and 76°. Dry conditions continue through the weekend.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 3, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

DELMARVA — Federal agricultural officials are ramping up border surveillance after a flesh-eating parasite was found in Mexico. The New World screwworm, which attacks warm-blooded animals, was detected in a goat about 25 miles south of the U.S. border in Mexico’s Coahuila state. The USDA says it’s strengthening monitoring and prevention measures to keep the dangerous pest from crossing into the United States.

Markets

Livestock futures fell Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. August live cattle dropped $0.95 to close at $239.65. October contracts fell $1.45 to $230.87. Feeder cattle saw steeper losses with August contracts down $3.12 to $348.42 and September off $3.55 to $345.12.

Locally, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.86 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans at Laurel are $11.06 for July delivery.

Forecast

Sunny skies continue this afternoon with temperatures around 73° and light south winds at 5 mph. Tonight stays partly cloudy, dropping to 58°. Wednesday will see sunny conditions again, reaching 74° with northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Clear skies Wednesday night down to 59°. Conditions look dry through the week with warming temperatures ahead.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 2, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Federal dairy farmers saw improved conditions in April as the Margin Coverage Program administered by USDA reported a margin of $10.54 per hundredweight, representing an increase of $0.97 per hundredweight compared to the previous month. This marked the second month in a row during 2024 where the Program did not trigger payments at any coverage tier. The improved margin resulted from a $1.10 per hundredweight jump in the all-milk price compared to March, along with a $0.13 per hundredweight rise in the April DMC feed cost calculation, which was influenced by modest increases across all three feed ingredients in the formula.

By the conclusion of May, USDA’s DMC Decision Tool website indicated projections showing no additional DMC payments expected for the remainder of the year, with the exception of a potentially minor payment in August. The forecast covering the final eight months of the year revealed an uncommon pattern with two margin peaks, both reaching slightly over $11.00 per hundredweight in May and November, separated by a low point of $9.70 per hundredweight in August, with an annual average of $10.05 per hundredweight.

Three dairy organizations have formally requested that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative include protections for common food names as a mandatory requirement in the modernization of the African Growth and Opportunities Act. NMPF, USDEC, and the Consortium for Common Food Names filed their official request on May 13.

The African Growth and Opportunities Act is federal legislation that grants sub-Saharan African nations tariff-free entry to American markets provided they satisfy specific economic and human rights criteria.

In their formal request, the dairy groups praised the Trump administration for emphasizing and incorporating common name provisions into nine mutual trade deals so far, which allow American dairy producers to sell products using internationally recognized generic names such as “parmesan” and “feta.” The organizations called on USTR to carry this approach forward into AGOA by establishing common name protections as a mandatory requirement for participating nations.

The issue carries considerable weight because the European Union has systematically employed geographical indication clauses in trade deals to exclude American competitors by claiming exclusive rights to generic cheese terminology. The modernization of AGOA presents an important opportunity to counter this pattern, and NMPF is working alongside congressional partners and administration officials to establish fair competition for American dairy products throughout Africa.

During May, cooperatives belonging to NEXT finalized 93 export agreements, representing 21.4 million pounds of dairy products for NEXT-supported international sales in 2026. The shipments are destined for buyers across Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East-North Africa region, with deliveries scheduled between May and December.

International sales play a vital role in supporting dairy farmers and their cooperatives nationwide. Regardless of whether cooperatives directly participate in overseas trade, accessing global markets remains crucial. NEXT serves as a bridge to connect American dairy products with international buyers by addressing competitive challenges facing U.S. dairy exports.

The dairy product volumes mentioned represent existing delivery contracts rather than finalized export shipments. NEXT will distribute export support payments to successful bidders only after confirming actual product shipment and delivery through proper documentation requirements.

The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council joined forces with Farmers for Free Trade to organize a roundtable discussion about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on May 6 at the Belgioioso facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The event brought together Congressman Tony Wied, R-WI, Land O’Lakes producer Amber Horn-Leiterman, and leaders from Wisconsin’s agricultural and business sectors.

During the gathering, the National Milk Producers Federation advocated for specific enhancements to dairy-related sections of the trade agreement, focusing on stopping Canada’s continued mishandling of dairy tariff-rate quota management, tackling Canadian workarounds of dairy protein export rules, and making sure Mexico maintains complete U.S. cheese market access.

The organization continued its advocacy efforts two days later in Arizona, where Jim Boyle, Jr. from United Dairymen of Arizona took part in a May 8 Phoenix roundtable discussion with the governor. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Farmers for Free Trade organized the event.

Boyle spoke about the increased export possibilities that dairy farmers have received through both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the current trade deal, while stressing the significance of enhancing and extending the existing agreement.

As the required July 1, 2026, joint review of the trade agreement draws near, the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council are working to ensure that unresolved dairy disputes with Canada are settled, that trade with Mexico stays completely open, and that all three countries agree to continue the trade partnership.

The House of Representatives voted on May 13 to pass bipartisan legislation known as the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), with strong backing from NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

NMPF has led advocacy efforts for this legislation, with staff conducting meetings with Congressional members and the White House National Economic Council to emphasize the serious harm that organized cargo theft inflicts on dairy shipping operations. On April 30, NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud held discussions with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-IA, who is the bill’s primary sponsor, to discuss how dairy operations face exposure to container break-ins and to express appreciation for his leadership on the matter.

While dairy products typically aren’t the primary target of organized criminal operations, they have increasingly become unintended victims, resulting in expensive shipment returns, limited insurance options, and genuine threats to food safety and the reputation of U.S. dairy as a reliable global supplier.

The legislation would create a coordination center under the Department of Homeland Security to streamline investigation and prosecution activities. NMPF actively worked to guarantee that food and agriculture sectors remained part of the final bill, which now moves forward to the Senate for consideration.

Staff members dedicated to supporting young dairy farmers from various cooperatives came together on May 19-20 to explore ways to better nurture the dairy industry’s emerging leaders.

The two-day conference took place in Middleton, WI, with Foremost Farms USA serving as host. Seventeen staff members from nine different member cooperatives participated, joined by representatives from industry organizations such as the American Jersey Cattle Association, Professional Dairy Producers, Dairy Girl Network and Dairy Management Inc.

Conference attendees shared successful strategies and discussed various approaches to enhance young farmer participation in cooperative programs and to find and obtain sponsorship funding. The gathering also featured a presentation by Courtney Berner from the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, who outlined methods cooperatives can implement to facilitate smoother leadership changes and provide better support for up-and-coming leaders in the dairy sector.

Dairy industry leaders will gather next week in Arlington, Virginia for the NMPF board meeting, which will feature educational sessions on artificial intelligence and coordinated congressional advocacy efforts involving both board members and Young Cooperators.

The comprehensive schedule includes multiple components:

Various committee sessions are planned, covering the Immigration Task Force, Political Action Committee, Economic Policy Committee and Scholarship Committee. Agricultural officials Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden and Ambassador Julie Callahan will share insights on the farming economy and trade conditions.

A bipartisan fundraising breakfast for the Political Action Committee will feature Tony Wied, R-WI, and Josh Riley, D-NY. Leadership from Dairy Management Inc., including CEO Barb O’Brien and NMPF Board Member Charles Krause, will provide organizational updates.

Educational sessions and conversations, including the artificial intelligence workshop focused on dairy industry applications, will begin June 8 and extend beyond the official meeting dates of June 9-10, when the NMPF Animal Health and Wellbeing Committee convenes. The NMPF Young Cooperators annual fly-in has been scheduled to coincide with the board meeting this year, enabling greater board member involvement. Legislative discussions will focus on agricultural workforce solutions for dairy operations, maintaining flavored milk programs in schools, supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act, and pushing for farm bill passage to reach the president’s desk.

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Environmental Stewardship Program announced on May 19 that it has updated its Version 3 assessment system, incorporating the newest scientific advances from the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model that drives FARM ES Version 3.

Several important factors drove this enhancement:

The updated system now accounts for farming practices when producers provide additional information about their crop operations, which will be included in their overall environmental impact calculations. Emissions from feed production will be separated into purchased versus farm-grown sources for operations that supply cropping details.

Scientists have made significant advances in waste management calculations, including improved temperature sensitivity, enhanced methane modeling for young animals, and the ability to specify how solids are handled after separation processes.

The RuFaS research team will be better positioned to assist FARM ES with technical questions since the program will operate on the most current model framework.

Scientific documentation from the RuFaS team will match the model version used by FARM ES, making it easier for cooperatives, processors, customers, and consultants to understand emission calculations.

Changes to FARM ES reporting will better support greenhouse gas protocol standards for livestock and supply chain reporting.

The platform enhancement demonstrates FARM Environmental Stewardship’s dedication to providing top-tier scientific approaches that serve operations of varying sizes, locations and production methods.

FARM Environmental Stewardship offers a system developed by and for America’s dairy industry, supported by peer-reviewed, reliable research. Dairy producers across the United States actively influence the program, creating unified industry responses to supply chain demands and helping consolidate sustainability tracking into a single system.

FARM ES highlights the excellent conservation practices dairy farmers have implemented for decades and increasingly functions as a pathway for producers to participate in supply chain reward programs and other initiatives that directly benefit their environmental efforts.

Federal agriculture officials released two significant nutrition policy updates on May 8th that will benefit dairy producers nationwide: new guidelines for milk offerings in school meal programs and revised food stocking requirements for stores accepting SNAP benefits.

The National Milk Producers Federation praised the federal decision to implement the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act through updated regulations taking effect June 8th. This marks the first time since 2012 that schools will be permitted to serve whole milk and 2% milk in federally supported meal programs.

During the rule development process, NMPF pushed for comprehensive milk access across all school feeding programs, not limited to lunch service. The organization successfully advocated for inclusion of breakfast programs, the Special Milk Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Schools will now have flexibility to provide whole, 2%, 1% or skim milk varieties in both unflavored and flavored options throughout all meal services.

On the same date, federal officials unveiled revised stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The modified SNAP regulations maintain dairy’s status as a required food category while expanding recognized varieties to include flavored milk, sour cream and shredded cheese as distinct products. Plant-based milk alternatives face new restrictions, with only three varieties counting toward dairy stocking obligations. These changes align with recommendations NMPF submitted in November comments to federal regulators.

Butter has been removed from mandatory stocking lists and reclassified as an accessory item, matching the treatment of other cooking fats. SNAP recipients can continue purchasing butter with benefits, but stores will no longer need butter inventory to qualify for program participation. Retailers must still maintain seven different dairy products to meet SNAP certification standards.

Dairy farmers across the nation are being urged to prepare for a potential outbreak of New World screwworm after Mexican authorities documented more than 1,200 cases during May. The closest confirmed infection sits approximately 31 miles from the United States border, leading agricultural experts to warn that an American outbreak could happen soon.

The parasite poses a serious threat to livestock by creating severe wounds that may result in death, making early detection by farmers crucial for prevention and treatment efforts. Federal regulators have responded by expanding the list of medications available to combat the pest through emergency and conditional approvals.

The Food and Drug Administration took action on May 19 by issuing an emergency use authorization for doramectin injection, known as Dectomax-CA1, allowing its use in lactating and dry dairy cows along with replacement heifers 20 months and older. This medication had already received conditional approval for younger female dairy cattle under 20 months, but the emergency authorization broadens treatment options for producers facing a potential outbreak.

The FARM Antibiotic Stewardship Program, which stands for Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, has published guidance containing details about currently approved and authorized treatments for New World screwworm. This resource aims to help farmers make informed decisions that safeguard their livestock while ensuring responsible antimicrobial usage.

Federal agriculture officials have established a comprehensive five-part strategy emphasizing rapid detection, treatment and containment measures, livestock movement restrictions, and investment in innovative treatment and control methods. Industry organizations have participated in coordination meetings with federal and state officials to establish effective prevention practices and have endorsed a registration application for NovoFly that was submitted on April 22.

Farmers who believe they may have infected animals should immediately contact their veterinarian to file a report, obtain samples for laboratory testing, and receive treatment guidance. Federal agriculture officials have established an informational website that offers current updates and information about confirmed cases.

Once the screwworm enters American territory, farmers should anticipate movement restrictions in affected regions, including mandatory inspections and treatments to prevent further spread. Agricultural producers are advised to collaborate with their veterinarians and coordinate with state animal health authorities regarding movement protocols.

DELMARVA — Two-thirds of the U.S. corn and soybean crops are in good to excellent condition according to the latest national crop report. The USDA reports 67% of corn is rated good to excellent, down 2% from last year. Soybeans are tracking at 66% good to excellent. While those numbers look solid nationwide, growing conditions vary widely by region, with some areas dealing with drought stress and others facing too much rain.

Markets

Livestock futures climbed Monday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. August live cattle gained $1.55 to close at $240.60. October contracts rose $1.90 to $232.32. Feeder cattle showed even stronger gains, with August contracts jumping $3.12 to $351.55.

At local cash markets, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.87 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans there are $11.37 for November.

Forecast

Sunny skies are expected today with a high near 69°F and northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight stays mostly clear with a low around 58°F. Wednesday brings more sunshine, warming to 74°F. No rain is in the forecast through the week, with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s by Friday.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 2, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Officials in Australia announced Tuesday that the nation’s wheat production this year will reach its lowest point in three years, driven by elevated fertilizer expenses and drought conditions affecting certain regions.

As one of the world’s leading wheat exporters, Australia’s diminished crop output will tighten global grain supplies, potentially driving up food costs that already hit two-year peaks last month following crop damage in the United States.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) released quarterly projections showing wheat production will total 26.7 million metric tons this harvest season.

This represents a decline of approximately 9 million tons compared to the previous season and falls roughly 8 million tons below the five-year average, based on agency data.

Fertilizer expenses have surged dramatically since the conflict in Iran disrupted shipments from Gulf region suppliers. These elevated costs will likely lead farmers to reduce fertilizer application, limiting crop yield potential, according to ABARES, which operates under the agriculture ministry.

Additionally, eastern regions of Australia have experienced extended periods of insufficient rainfall over recent months. While May brought beneficial precipitation that improved growing conditions, the national weather service continues forecasting El Nino patterns and below-normal rainfall in upcoming months.

“It will be crucial that adequate and timely supply of fertiliser is available and adequate rainfall is received to meet current yield projections,” ABARES said.

The agency projects wheat planting areas will decrease 12% from last season to 10.9 million hectares, marking the smallest planted area since the 2019/20 growing season.

Barley cultivation, which demands less fertilizer than wheat, is expected to expand 4% from the previous season to 5 million hectares, though total production will still decline 15% to 14.1 million tons, ABARES reported.

Canola planting areas, requiring substantial fertilizer but commanding higher market prices than wheat, should contract 6% to 3.5 million hectares, with harvest volumes dropping 20% to 6.2 million tons.

Australia’s planting season is concluding, with harvest operations scheduled to begin near year’s end.

DELMARVA — The USDA’s first seasonal assessment shows the nation’s major crops in solid shape, with 67% of U.S. corn rated good to excellent, though that’s down 2 points from last year. Soybeans are tracking at 66% good to excellent.

While those numbers look strong nationally, growing conditions vary sharply by region. Some areas are dealing with drought stress while others are getting too much rain, creating challenges for Delmarva growers as well.

A crop consultant in northwest Missouri is warning that heavy rainfall is fueling weed pressure, especially waterhemp, and raising concerns about nitrogen loss in fields.

Policy

The USDA opened applications today for its Farmer Bridge Assistance Program targeting specialty crop growers. The initiative delivers more than $1.6 billion calculated on 2025 planting plans and covers almost 270 different specialty crops.

Markets

Livestock futures posted solid gains Monday. August live cattle rose $1.55 to close at $240.60. October contracts climbed $1.90 to $232.32. Feeder cattle showed even stronger performance with August contracts jumping $3.12 to $351.55.

On the grain side, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.89 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans are $11.39 for November.

Forecast

Partly cloudy skies are expected tonight with a low of 52° and northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Tuesday brings sunny skies and 71° with light south winds.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, June 1, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has issued its latest report documenting agricultural progress and crop conditions nationwide.

The agency’s newly released assessment provides current data on crop development and field conditions across multiple farming sectors.

This regular reporting helps track the status of agricultural production and provides valuable information for farmers, agricultural businesses, and industry stakeholders monitoring seasonal crop advancement.

Fruit and vegetable farmers nationwide can now apply for financial assistance through a federal program worth $1.625 billion that was officially launched June 1st.

The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program provides more funding than originally promised, surpassing the $1 billion commitment made by the Trump administration in late 2025 when they announced relief payments for producers dealing with market disruptions and rising production costs. This financial support aims to help farmers weather economic challenges until new provisions from the Republican reconciliation legislation passed in July 2025 take effect this October.

How to Apply and Who Qualifies

The Farm Service Agency will identify eligible participants and create pre-completed application forms (Form CCC-556) available through the department’s online system starting June 1st for those with Login.gov credentials. Farmers who lack online accounts or prefer in-person assistance can obtain applications at local FSA offices beginning June 8th. All applications must be turned in by August 7th.

To qualify for payments, producers must have grown eligible specialty crops during the 2025 crop year and submitted crop acreage reports to FSA by April 24, 2026.

Farmers must also have completed additional required paperwork (Forms CCC-902, CCC-941, and AD-1026) or file these documents by August 9, 2027.

Individual payment limits are set at $250,000 per applicant, and those with adjusted gross incomes exceeding $900,000 cannot participate.

Payment amounts differ by crop type, with produce categorized into payment tiers based on average yearly revenue per acre as calculated by the department.

Qualifying bean and pea varieties will receive $25 per acre. However, bean and pea types already covered under the Farmer Bridge Assistance program cannot receive payments through this new specialty crop initiative. The department may expand the eligible crop list if officials determine other producers experienced comparable economic hardships.

Crops produced in controlled settings like greenhouses or hydroponic facilities generally won’t qualify for payments, though mushrooms are exempt from this restriction.

Officials anticipate approved applicants will start receiving their payments within the current month.

New agricultural statistics reveal that soybean processing for crude oil production totaled 6.55 million tons during April 2026, according to recently released data.

The monthly processing figure translates to approximately 218 million bushels of soybeans that were crushed for oil extraction purposes during the reporting period.

Federal agricultural officials have released new data showing that corn utilization for alcohol production and other industrial applications reached 478 million bushels during April 2026.

The report, which tracks grain processing activities nationwide, provides a snapshot of how major agricultural commodities are being used in various industries throughout the country.

The data reflects consumption patterns for corn used in ethanol production and other non-food applications during the month-long period.

Manufacturing operations utilizing cotton processing equipment consumed 19.0 million pounds of synthetic fibers throughout April 2026, according to federal agricultural data.

The consumption figures represent the total amount of manmade materials processed through cotton system machinery during the month.

The statistics are part of ongoing tracking of fiber usage patterns in the textile manufacturing industry.

The National Chicken Council issued a statement today following the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service decision to postpone implementation of new poultry industry regulations by 18 months.

The federal rule, officially titled “Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems,” had been scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2026. However, the Agricultural Marketing Service announced the delay after conducting a review of the regulation’s potential financial impact on the poultry industry, which was initially proposed in March.

A healthcare professional is making a difference in agricultural communities by combining her medical background with farm safety education. Katie Hammock serves in the dual role of nurse and farm safety educator, bringing valuable healthcare perspective to agricultural safety initiatives.

Hammock’s work represents an important intersection between healthcare and agriculture, as she uses her nursing experience to help educate farming communities about safety practices and injury prevention.

Her unique position allows her to address safety concerns from both a medical and practical farming standpoint, providing comprehensive education to those working in agricultural settings.

A recent video presentation from the Virginia Farm Bureau documents the complete journey of locally-grown flowers as they move from agricultural production through retail sales.

The educational content explores how flowers are cultivated on Virginia farms and follows their path to consumers in the marketplace.

The Farm Bureau’s video production aims to showcase the agricultural process behind flower farming and the supply chain that brings these products to market.

The provided article appears to contain only a video embed and lacks substantial text content to rewrite. Based on the headline reference to Virginia tulip festivals and spring farming traditions, this story would typically cover seasonal agricultural celebrations, but insufficient source material is available for a complete rewrite.

A wild mushroom pasta dish was showcased by Chef Tammy Brawley during an episode of Real Virginia, the weekly television show produced by Virginia Farm Bureau.

The Chicken of the Woods Scampi recipe calls for 2 tablespoons each of butter and olive oil, along with 1 sliced garlic clove and crushed red pepper to taste. The dish also requires 2 tablespoons of dry white wine, 2 cups of coarsely sliced Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, and 1 package of angel hair pasta prepared according to package instructions.

For garnishing, the recipe suggests chopped parsley, fresh squeezed lemon, and shredded parmesan cheese.

To prepare the dish, cooks should first make the pasta according to directions, drain it, and set it aside while keeping some pasta water in reserve.

The cooking process begins by combining butter and olive oil in a large saute pan. Next, add the garlic and cook until it becomes tender, then incorporate the red pepper. Pour the wine into the center of the pan and allow it to simmer.

The mushrooms should then be added to the pan and stirred. Finally, mix the prepared pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if the mixture appears too dry.

The finished dish is ready to garnish and serve.

A culinary professional recently showcased a flavorful condiment recipe during an appearance on Real Virginia, the weekly television show produced by Virginia Farm Bureau. Chef Tammy Brawley demonstrated how to create a sauce that balances sweetness with spice, designed to complement both seafood and grilled fruit.

The recipe calls for two pounds of very large shrimp along with several sauce ingredients including one tablespoon of sambal oelek chili paste, one teaspoon of kosher salt, one teaspoon of orange zest, one tablespoon of orange juice, half a cup of agave or maple syrup, one tablespoon of tomato paste, two minced green onions, and pineapple spears for grilling.

To prepare the dish, cooks should combine all ingredients thoroughly using a whisk, setting aside the pineapple spears. The cooking process involves heating a grill or indoor grill pan to medium temperature, then placing the pineapple spears on the cooking surface. Once grill marks become visible, the fruit should be brushed with the prepared sauce. The same sauce serves as an accompaniment for the shrimp as well.

The president of a leading dairy organization reflects on witnessing technological advancement from submitting graduate school assignments on floppy disks in the early 1990s to today’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape that’s transforming everything from internet searches to purchase predictions.

According to the dairy industry executive, AI technology has rapidly infiltrated every aspect of daily life and continues advancing faster than society can adjust to its changes.

The dairy sector cannot remain passive observers, warns the industry leader. The economic impact and far-reaching implications of AI are too significant to ignore. With challenging dairy economics, rising consumer demands, and ongoing labor shortages familiar to every producer, incorporating AI mastery becomes crucial rather than optional for ensuring a sustainable and profitable dairy industry for future generations.

The fundamental challenge remains unchanged: dairy profit margins stay narrow while market volatility persists. Feed expenses fluctuate dramatically, milk pricing swings wildly, and international markets react to social media posts or weather conditions. While dairy producers have traditionally been among agriculture’s most data-oriented business operators, today’s information volume spanning nutrition formulation, heat management, milk production, and animal health has exceeded human processing capabilities.

AI technology proves valuable by not merely collecting information but analyzing it, learning patterns, and forecasting results before issues appear in milk storage tanks. The goal isn’t replacing farmer decision-making but providing producers with extensive data to achieve precision levels that enable predicting and correcting problems before they develop.

Individual cow monitoring enhanced by AI could represent dairy’s most significant productivity advancement since rotary milking systems were introduced. Cattle thrive with consistent schedules, clean housing, and carefully balanced nutrition. Current sensor technology monitors chewing patterns, activity levels, body temperature, and food consumption, creating unique behavioral profiles for each animal. AI platforms can detect early indicators of metabolic disorders, udder infections, mobility issues, or nutritional problems days before conventional observation methods. The technology can integrate weather predictions with feed formulations, optimizing nutrition before sunrise. This results in improved animal health, reduced feed expenses and veterinary costs, and increased milk output. In an industry where every additional milk pound counts, such innovations represent essential tools and competitive advantages for farmers implementing AI successfully.

However, AI’s most substantial long-term dairy value may exist outside barn operations. The supply chain and logistics efficiencies created by AI will certainly bring revolutionary changes. More importantly, imagine seamlessly connecting producers with consumers in both domestic and international markets. Consumers, major dairy purchasers, and foreign trade partners increasingly demand transparency regarding animal treatment, feed sources, production methods, and environmental impact.

Such information helps close deals with both international buyers in export markets and parents shopping at grocery stores. Dairy farmers using AI-powered monitoring and record-keeping can document sustainability and animal care measurements with previously impossible detail levels, creating potential advantages when serving transparency-focused customers.

The industry already recognizes that strong performance in carbon efficiency, water conservation, and soil health provides competitive benefits. Soon, AI will help predict which investments will generate optimal farm-level returns with proper data collections.

This doesn’t mean AI serves as a universal solution. Significant questions and concerns persist about harnessing this technology for maximum benefit, determining energy sources for powering it, ensuring successful coexistence between thriving farms and AI data facilities, and establishing necessary data privacy and security protections. This final point represents a serious and complex challenge requiring practical, legally binding solutions. It’s crucial to remember that AI, like everything else, isn’t infallible – without human oversight, major mistakes can happen, and ultimately dairy farmers must maintain control.

For the dairy industry, the potential advantages are too substantial to avoid the challenges, and the sector’s brightest minds must focus on solutions to understand AI’s direction and how dairy can benefit from that trajectory.

Therefore, next week at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting in Arlington, VA, an AI workshop and presentations will be added to the agenda. As the premier U.S. dairy-farmer organization, they aim to use their convening power to bring the industry together on a collaborative basis to address shared questions and challenges, seek common solutions benefiting everyone, and work through the challenges that widespread AI adoption is rapidly presenting. They anticipate seeing member contributions and look forward to serving as a knowledge center for this critical, rapidly evolving subject.

The dairy operations that succeed in the coming decade will combine human insight with AI’s predictive capabilities. The industry can view AI as an outsider’s tool, or as a threat with risks outweighing benefits, or embrace it as the next step in the same innovation that has always characterized American agriculture. The organization firmly supports AI adoption, acknowledging there will be obstacles, problems to resolve, and difficult questions to address along the way, because alongside policy leadership, they help members pursue innovative solutions benefiting the entire industry. Dairy has never feared hard work or new equipment. AI simply represents the next tool for achieving success.

DELMARVA — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has issued an emergency declaration after freeze damage in April resulted in $300 million in farm crop losses. The declaration, which took effect May 20, covers all 21 counties.

Damage assessments show crop destruction surpassing 30% across numerous regions, with some growers facing total crop failure for specific varieties. The frigid weather struck April 19 through 22, hitting plants during a crucial growth phase and causing devastating harm to blooms and developing fruit. Sherrill is calling for federal assistance and working to maintain farming operations across the Garden State.

Markets

Corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.92/bu for July delivery. December corn there is $4.90/bu. Soybeans at Laurel are $11.33 for July, $11.46 for November. Up in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Triple-M Farms is paying $5.27 for July corn and $11.83 for July beans.

Forecast

The region is looking at mostly sunny skies today with highs around 71°F and northeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Tonight brings isolated rain showers early, then partly cloudy with lows near 53°F. Tuesday looks sunny with highs near 70°F.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, June 1, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegalese farmer Abou Sow felt a wave of concern when he witnessed U.S. missile strikes against Iran on social media, knowing the conflict would soon impact farming across West Africa. Chemical fertilizer costs have surged 40% since hostilities commenced on Feb. 28.

Unlike many of his peers, Sow had prepared for such disruptions. He transitioned away from synthetic fertilizers eight years earlier, embracing organic compost and natural alternatives instead. Today, he encourages fellow Senegalese farmers to purchase manure from nearby livestock owners and teaches them composting techniques, identifying healthy worms as positive indicators.

“We can’t afford to wait for a ceasefire,” Sow said. “It’s risky to depend on chemical fertilizers.” Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted natural gas supplies needed for synthetic fertilizer production and impacted international shipping routes.

According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, the Gulf region accounts for 30% of chemical fertilizer traded worldwide, while the World Bank’s fertilizer price index shows global costs have climbed 50%.

“The clock is ticking very hard,” said Maximo Torero, chief economist at the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, as food security concerns mount.

Agricultural specialists note that moving away from synthetic fertilizers could yield broader environmental advantages, since their manufacturing and application generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.

Organic fertilizers offer contrasting benefits by capturing carbon in soil and reducing pollution problems like runoff that contaminates water sources.

“It’s good for the planet because you’re weaning food production off fossil fuels,” said Susan Chomba, member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems, a think tank.

Senegal brings in 125,000 tons of fertilizer each year. The minister of agriculture, Mabouba Diagne, has said the state sourced enough chemical fertilizer for the current season, but farmers said it is increasingly difficult to find.

Farmer Aliou Fall blamed U.S. President Donald Trump for the soaring fertilizer costs. “He brings war to the world and he doesn’t even think about it. Now farmers are suffering,” Fall said.

Each year, Sow uses six tons of compost as his alternative. He considers himself lucky to farm near a community where animal waste is abundant due to residents raising sheep for religious celebrations.

However, in remote farming regions, obtaining and transporting large amounts of manure presents significant challenges, and Sow worries some growers may abandon their land during these difficult times.

One emerging solution involves biofertilizer production, which uses bacteria and microorganisms to help crops extract nitrogen from air and soil. An increasing number of African companies are manufacturing industrial-scale compost from city waste, converting food scraps into agricultural nutrients.

In April, Senegal’s government announced plans to subsidize and distribute 30,000 tons of organic fertilizer products to assist farmers. Sow said that’s not enough.

According to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development, governments worldwide allocate $700 billion annually for agricultural subsidies, with substantial portions supporting chemical fertilizer provision. Chomba noted this makes natural alternatives costlier and less competitive.

“You’re incentivizing the wrong sort of products,” she said.

Brazil ranks among the world’s top exporters of soybeans, coffee, sugarcane, beef and poultry. However, the country imports more than 80% of its fertilizer, said Joana Colussi, assistant professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University.

Fertilizer costs have risen 50% since the Iran war began, according to Luis Barbieri, founder of the Folio Institute, a Brazilian organization that connects farmers, scientists and researchers.

“Whenever we have a war, farmers’ use of biofertilizers is turbocharged,” Barbieri said.

Although Brazil widely adopted chemical fertilizers during the 1970s, they prove less efficient in tropical conditions where heavy rainfall and high temperatures cause nutrient loss through runoff.

Brazil’s biofertilizer industry expanded 15% between 2023 and 2024, according to the state-run Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa. Patent regulations allow farmers to produce their own biofertilizers at significantly reduced costs.

In Mexico, however, minimal advancement has occurred due to government subsidies favoring chemical fertilizer usage and insufficient funding for alternatives, said Gerardo Noriega, a research professor at the Autonomous University of Chapingo and one of the country’s leading advocates for organic fertilizers.

He suggested the current crisis “may force (farmers) to adopt organic fertilizers more quickly than they had imagined.”

In India’s southern Indian state of Telangana, Manohara Chari has been making jivamrita, a potent mix of cow dung, urine, flour, soil and sugar to replace the chemical fertilizer he used to apply.

“We do not depend on companies,” said Chari, one of 1.7 million farmers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states who have shifted to natural farming, which embraces natural fertilizers, integrates livestock waste and plants a diversity of crops to improve soil health.

Agricultural workers and experts indicate the Iran conflict and synthetic fertilizer shortages make natural approaches more appealing. On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “national mission” to adopt natural farming and cut fertilizer use by 50%.

India imports 60% of its fertilizer from the Gulf. The government has rushed to source supplies and subsidized it to keep prices low, at significant expense to the state.

“There’s certainly been more interest this year in natural farming, especially after the Middle East conflict began,” said G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, agricultural scientist at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Some farmers have dedicated part of their land to assess the approach.

Converting to natural methods requires extra labor, and farmers experience a transition period. Chari suggested the government could provide assistance instead of subsidizing chemical fertilizers: “If even a fraction of that support is given to natural farmers, more people will shift towards it.”

DELMARVA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened registration today for a $1.625 billion aid program targeting specialty crop growers facing rising costs and international competition pressures.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers initiative will begin accepting applications Monday for farmers with existing Login.gov credentials. Pre-populated applications will be available through the system starting June 1. Producers without online accounts can obtain paper forms at their local Farm Service Agency office beginning June 8. The registration window closes August 7.

Rollins said the Trump administration is using an expedited process through the One Farmer One File system to accelerate payment distribution.

Markets

Livestock futures finished lower Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Live cattle transactions reached $256, down $4 from the prior week’s weighted average. Dressed cattle business continued during Friday’s session.

On Delmarva, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is offering $4.90 per bushel for December corn delivery. November soybeans are trading at $11.40.

Forecast

Sunny skies continued Saturday afternoon with temperatures around 68 degrees. Tonight’s low will drop to 51 under mostly clear conditions. Sunday will be sunny with a high near 73. Dry weather is expected to hold through Monday before a slight chance of rain Tuesday.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, May 30, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

DELMARVA — Fertilizer costs continue to threaten farm survival across the country, according to testimony delivered to federal regulators this week. An Iowa producer told the Federal Trade Commission Thursday that farmers are basically going broke right now, with input costs completely out of control.

Lance Lillibridge from Vinton delivered that stark warning directly to the FTC Chairman during a gathering in Texas, calling the current fertilizer pricing situation unsustainable for operations nationwide. That pressure hits Delmarva growers just as hard.

Federal Assistance

Federal help is on the way for specialty crop producers. The Agriculture Department announced yesterday a $1.625 billion assistance program opening soon for fruit and vegetable growers.

Regional Development

Perdue Farms launched 6 trucks running entirely on soybean-based biodiesel at their Salisbury, Maryland facility yesterday. The company says the fleet cuts vehicle emissions by 70%.

Markets

Corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.90/bu for December delivery. Soybeans there, $11.40 for November.

Forecast

Sunny skies today with a high near 69°F and north winds 10-20 mph. Tonight partly cloudy, low 53°F. Tomorrow sunny again, 70°F with light west winds. Dry weather holds through Monday before a slight chance of rain showers moves in Tuesday.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, May 30, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

DELMARVA — With hot weather approaching, cattle producers are being urged to prepare for heat stress conditions that can significantly impact herd productivity and health.

Veterinarian Ryan Royer, a consultant for Novonesis, is warning farmers about the substantial effects excessive heat can have on both dairy and beef operations. When cattle become overheated and uncomfortable, their feed intake drops substantially, leading to decreased milk production in dairy operations and lower beef yields in cattle raised for meat. Heat-stressed animals also face a higher risk of developing various health complications.

According to Royer, production losses can range anywhere from 10% or 15% up to 50%.

Markets

Livestock futures ended the week lower at the Chicago exchange. Live cattle transactions reached $256, down $4 from last week’s weighted average. Limited direct cash cattle trading occurred through the end of Friday’s session.

In grain markets, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is offering $4.92 a bushel for July corn and $11.27 for July soybeans.

Forecast

The Delmarva region finished Friday afternoon at 76° under sunny skies. Tonight drops to 59° with mostly clear conditions. Saturday looks pleasant with sunshine and highs reaching 68°.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, May 29, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

The crawfish processing sector in Louisiana is facing serious challenges due to difficulties obtaining guest-worker visas for seasonal employees. Processing facilities throughout the state are struggling to maintain operations without access to their traditional migrant workforce.

The visa complications have created widespread disruption across Louisiana’s crawfish processing operations, leaving many facilities unable to handle the seasonal demands of the industry.

Farmers across the country saw commodity prices climb by 2.3 percent in April, according to the latest federal pricing data released this week.

The monthly agricultural pricing index measures what producers receive for their crops and livestock, providing a key economic indicator for the farming sector.

The April increase reflects ongoing market conditions affecting agricultural commodities nationwide, though specific details about which crops or livestock drove the price gains were not immediately available in the preliminary report.

Federal agricultural data reveals that shell egg production has experienced a 3 percent decline compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.

The statistics come from the latest egg industry report tracking production levels across the country.

This decrease in shell egg output reflects changes in the poultry sector’s performance year-over-year.

Agricultural producers across the nation saw their earnings from peanut sales decrease during the week that ended May 23, according to new pricing data.

Farmers received an average of 22.9 cents per pound for all farmer stock peanuts during that week, representing a decline of 0.8 cent from the previous reporting period.

The pricing information reflects what producers earned for their raw peanut inventory sold to processors and other buyers in the agricultural marketplace.

EFFINGHAM, Illinois — In the heart of Illinois agricultural territory, a seven-decade-old pickup truck awaits a bright canary yellow paint job that will mark its transformation from farm equipment to family treasure.

The 1956 International Harvester S-130 served as the first vehicle a father learned to operate as a youngster, spending days assisting with agricultural duties and evenings exploring with neighborhood friends. Back then, the truck held no emotional significance — its value came purely from its practical function.

“It was just a truck,” the father recalls.

Pickup trucks originated as purely functional vehicles. Before manufacturers began producing dedicated models in the early 1900s, people constructed their own versions. These vehicles evolved into symbols of rural American life, powerful enough to inspire countless country music lyrics.

Now, pickups dominate America’s highways. Though many still serve hauling purposes, others have transformed into luxury vehicles — customized with lifts or lowered suspensions and equipped for leisurely weekend drives.

The truck that once served the now-closed Meyer family farm will soon have a singular purpose: serving as a showpiece.

This represents an unexpected transformation. Had this outcome been anticipated, the father might have selected a simpler restoration project. The International S series from the 1950s experienced an extremely brief manufacturing period. This reality creates significant challenges when searching for replacement components — even for brother Andy, who excels at locating hard-to-find items.

Andy discovered the truck for sale initially. Despite its deteriorated condition, he felt compelled to transport it home. In subsequent years, he and his father have pursued a quest for replacement parts that has simultaneously awakened the father’s childhood recollections. These include tales of him driving as a youth, taking neighboring boys on nighttime hunting expeditions, the dangerous methods he and his siblings used to complete farm tasks, and the uncle whose prom companion rode in the passenger seat.

Their adventure through internet auctions and Illinois rural roads has developed its own momentum. What began with restoring a single 1956 International Harvester has evolved into possessing five 1956 International Harvesters in different stages of repair. Only one vehicle is beyond restoration.

When asked why he continues bringing them home, the father responded with dry humor: “I’m possessed.”

However, the answer was already apparent. The journey itself brings happiness. So why not continue?

DELMARVA — Cattle markets closed lower Thursday heading into Friday’s trading session. June live cattle fell $1.67 to settle at $249.75, while August contracts dropped $1.50 to $241. August feeder cattle declined $1.60 to $353.02. Boxed beef prices also saw steep drops.

Markets

Corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $4.99 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans there are $11.40 for July.

Crop Conditions

In the Midwest, an Iowa farmer reports slow soybean emergence after wet spring planting. The producer wrapped up planting 2 weeks ago after weather delays, but is now monitoring development issues in bean fields.

Policy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Thursday unveiled the Great American Cotton Plan, a new initiative to support American cotton growers and strengthen demand for domestically grown cotton.

Livestock Management

As temperatures climb, cattle producers should watch for heat stress in feedlot animals. When the thermometer hits 90 degrees with high humidity, dark-coated cattle near market weight struggle to cool themselves. Warning signs include heavy panting, drooling, and seeking shade.

Forecast

Sunny today with a high of 76 and light west winds. Tonight mostly clear with a low around 58. Saturday sunny again, 71 degrees with north winds 15 to 20 miles per hour.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, May 29, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

DELMARVA — Maryland’s Agriculture Department extended the cover crop termination deadline to June 5 after persistent rain left fields too wet to access across much of the state. The extension applies to participants in the 2025 through 2026 Cover Crop Program who have been unable to terminate fall-planted cover crops due to waterlogged conditions.

Markets

Livestock futures dropped Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. June live cattle settled down $1.67 at $249.75. August lives fell $1.50 to $241. August feeders dropped $1.60 to $353.02. Boxed beef prices also declined sharply during the session.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission opened a probe into possible anti-competitive practices in the fertilizer industry. A Missouri Corn Growers Association spokesman says unfair business practices have driven up costs for farmers nationwide.

For local grain, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $5.01 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans there are $11.35 for July.

Forecast

Partly sunny skies are expected this afternoon with a high near 78° and north winds at 15 mph. Tonight drops to 56° under mostly clear skies. Friday looks sunny with a high of 72° and west winds 10 to 15 mph.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, May 28, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

Commercial warehouses across the country are currently storing 4.31 billion pounds of peanuts, according to new federal agriculture data.

The figures show that utilization of shelled edible grade peanuts has risen by 2 percent when compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.

The data provides insight into the current state of the national peanut industry and storage capacity trends.

Two major American dairy organizations have renewed their push for federal trade action against Canada following the release of a new government report on dairy trade practices. The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council are urging the U.S. Trade Representative to utilize the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement review process to tackle Canada’s problematic nonfat milk solids export policies.

The organizations’ statement comes after yesterday’s publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission’s Section 332 report titled “Nonfat Milk Solids: Competitive Conditions for the United States and Major Foreign Suppliers.”

According to the dairy groups, the report validates concerns they have raised for years about Canadian milk production quotas that “aim to match domestic supply and demand for butterfat lead to a level of raw milk production that results in a domestic structural surplus of [nonfat milk solids] components.” The study further indicates that Canada’s government-controlled milk pricing system “unlinks its relatively high farmgate price of milk from the price that [nonfat milk solids] processors pay for milk components in Canada using regulated ‘price discrimination.’”

These Canadian practices described in the report formed the foundation for the dairy organizations’ collaboration with the first Trump administration to obtain commitments during USMCA negotiations. Canada agreed to restrict its artificially low-priced skim milk powder and milk protein concentrate exports, establishing annual limits above which these exports face surcharges to protect U.S. producers from being undercut domestically and internationally.

Although the report recognizes that Canada has so far kept its exports of formally classified nonfat milk solids within limits, it also documents a significant rise in Canadian exports of items listed under tariff codes for “blended dairy products” and “protein isolates” that escape USMCA oversight. The study shows that protein isolate exports under these codes totaled merely 76 metric tons from 2013 to 2015. Following USMCA implementation, protein isolate volumes surged dramatically to exceed 32,000 metric tons between 2022 and 2024. Though the tariff classification isn’t limited to dairy proteins, the commission estimates most exports were dairy-derived.

The commission’s report indicates these dairy products are coming into the United States from recently built and expanded processing facilities in British Columbia and Manitoba. The study states that “in addition to access to cost-competitive sources of [nonfat milk solids] components, these facilities received grants and loans from national and provincial governments.”

During July 2025 testimony before the commission as part of the investigation, representatives Jaime Castaneda and William Loux from the dairy organizations highlighted the harmful impact of Canada’s combined pricing and trade policies on American dairy farmers and processors. Castaneda stated, “it is absurd that Canadian dairy producers receive one of the highest farmgate milk prices in the world by a wide margin, yet their nonfat milk solids end up on the global market at prices below our cost of production.” Loux commented, “Canada’s actions distort markets and undermine fair competition … This information is critical to bring substantive results for U.S. dairy producers and processors, including during the upcoming USMCA review process.”

The testimony supported detailed written comments the organizations filed during the investigation and coordination efforts among members to showcase the scope of the problem. The groups plan to continue working with the U.S. Trade Representative to use the report’s findings and ensure Canadian efforts to bypass their dairy protein export obligations are fully addressed during the ongoing USMCA joint review process.

VIRGILINA—After recent rainfall brought some relief to Virginia’s parched farmland, agricultural producers are cautiously hopeful that this growing season might still be rescued, while state farming officials urge those hit by harsh spring weather conditions to explore federal disaster relief programs.

Farmers across numerous Virginia counties have been granted drought disaster designations through U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Farm Service Agency, as the entire state remains under severe-to-extreme drought conditions. Multiple disaster relief programs are now accessible to qualifying producers, featuring emergency lending and additional recovery assistance.

Carl Daniel, Halifax County Farm Bureau president who cultivates corn, soybean and tobacco while also raising beef cattle, described the recent precipitation as “a blessing.”

Although many farmers in Southside Virginia are delaying crop planting beyond typical schedules, “we think there is still hope,” Daniel explained. “The rain has been sporadic. Some areas only got an inch-and-a-half while others up to 5 inches. But any rain is good in a drought situation!”

Nevertheless, grasslands and grazing areas are “taking a beating,” according to Virginia Farm Bureau Federation state board member Bruce Slagle, who serves farmers throughout the region.

“Some farmers are still feeding their hay supplies from last fall, while not making more,” Slagle noted. “Normally, you’re rolling hay now for next winter. What little hay is out there—they might be feeding it already. But I think the rain is going to help them out a lot.”

VFBF Vice President Robert J. Mills Jr. has managed to cut some hay this season at Briar View Farms in Pittsylvania County.

“But our first cutting is less than 30% of our usual yield,” Mills reported. “The rest dried up.”

Dry pasture conditions have forced others into difficult financial decisions.

“We have cattle farmers in Halifax selling young calves, so there’s enough pasture for the others to have,” Daniel noted. “And people are already looking for hay to feed.”

However, farmers adapt when weather conditions turn unfavorable. Mills explained that tobacco planting schedules can be adjusted based on the variety selected.

“This is the first time in our career that we’ve ever planted tobacco in June,” Mills said. “If we have more rain and crop progresses throughout the season, we’ll be OK. But if we have another drought mid-season, it’s going to stall the crop. Delayed maturity puts it in the frost window.”

Mills reported that only approximately 25% of corn has been planted countywide due to drought conditions, including merely 12 acres of their 200-acre cornfield, while late frost forced some producers to completely replant their corn and soybean crops.

Producers affected by the late April freeze may qualify for FSA physical loss loans designed to help repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property. The farmers.gov Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Loan Assistance Tool can help determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center or call Virginia FSA at 804-287-1500.

BLACKSBURG—Safety experts are issuing warnings to outdoor enthusiasts planning to use utility terrain vehicles this spring and summer, emphasizing that these powerful machines can pose serious risks despite their rugged design and versatility.

While UTVs provide access to countless recreational activities including trail exploration, hunting expeditions, cargo transport, and camping adventures—offering automobile-like familiarity and protection—this sense of security can lead operators to become dangerously overconfident.

“UTVs can be dangerous machines,” warned Curt Porterfield, assistant director of facilities and safety for the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Many folks don’t respect the machine enough to know its dangerous capabilities.”

Statistics reveal a troubling trend: fatalities involving off-highway vehicles nationwide rose 32% between 2018 and 2020, with Virginia recording 37 deaths from OHV-related accidents. Emergency departments across the country treated approximately 100,900 injuries linked to OHVs each year from 2018-2022, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to Porterfield, the primary factors behind UTV accidents and injuries include excessive speed, steep terrain, “too much weight in the wrong place at the wrong time,” and poor machine maintenance.

The growing market for affordable used UTVs is contributing to rising accident rates.

“These private sale machines are often repaired to operate mechanically but may not be brought up to the necessary safety standards,” he explained. “Not addressing essential safety repairs in a used machine and accepting the risk is a common mistake.”

Additional frequent errors include allowing operators under 16 years old to drive UTVs, or operating these vehicles while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

When shopping for a UTV, buyers should carefully evaluate the vehicle’s capabilities and intended applications, considering who will operate it and where it will be used.

The majority of UTV models come with rollover protective structures installed. Owners should refrain from removing ROPS and other built-in safety equipment unless specifically designed for removal.

“Read the operator’s manual in its entirety, establish a relationship with your dealer and ask questions about your machine,” Porterfield recommended.

Pre-ride preparations:

• Conduct thorough equipment checks. Regular cleaning and upkeep help identify potential mechanical problems.
• Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to confirm any recalls have been resolved.
• Review the operator’s manual for cargo capacity limits.
• Verify all passengers have appropriate clothing and safety gear.
• Stock emergency supplies including first aid and trauma kits, warning devices, backup communication equipment, and recovery straps.
• Research local and state regulations for land and roadway usage.

During UTV operation:

• Use seatbelts and limit passengers to available restraint systems. Minimize young children as passengers when possible and avoid transporting infants.
• Survey riding locations at reduced speeds to identify hazardous areas.
• Stick to established paths and trails, avoiding paved roadways.
• Maintain regular contact with others when riding solo.
• Assess ground conditions, load weight, passenger count, and velocity when navigating slopes. Generally, target inclines below 15 degrees.
• When using UTVs without ROPS, avoid seatbelt use to enable quick exit during potential rollover situations.
• Restrict towing activities and hitch usage, understanding weight restrictions for any attachments.

Porterfield recommends comprehensive training for all UTV operators and suggests utilizing educational materials from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association at rohva.org/learn-to-drive.

Additional information appears in Virginia Farm Bureau’s Cultivate magazine. Media inquiries can be directed to Porterfield at 540-231-8759.

BEDFORD—A Bedford County farmer has discovered a natural farming technique that transforms decomposing organic materials into what he calls liquid gold for his crops.

In February, Jay Faucher opened four large 60-gallon containers filled with fermenting organic matter on his 38-acre farm. The mixture slowly breaks down into a potent liquid fertilizer known as JADAM, which gets diluted and sprayed across his vegetables and pastures.

JADAM, which translates to “people that resemble nature” in Korean, was developed by Dr. Youngsang Cho in 1991. The natural farming approach transforms organic materials like compost, forest fungi, weeds, straw and plant clippings into a concentrated fertilizing solution and natural crop protection.

The fermented liquid gives off a distinctive aroma that combines beer, damp hay and wild mushrooms.

“That smell means it’s ready,” Faucher explained. “See the bubbles? That is alive, baby! This tub was a real thick goo last fall. Now it’s full of liquid.”

The process uses sealed containers where microorganisms work without oxygen. Once exposed to air, these microbes die off and make way for beneficial soil organisms to flourish.

Faucher creates two different versions of the nutrient-dense mixture.

The first type serves as a liquid fertilizer made from aged plant materials fermented in water, designed to feed soil and plants while mimicking natural soil development.

“It’s like you’re creating a soil biome,” Faucher described.

The second variety combines cooked potatoes, sea salt and forest soil to produce a powerful blend of native microorganisms that improves soil health while providing natural pest and disease control.

According to Cho’s 2017 presentation, rising costs for fuel, energy, chemicals and labor are pressuring farms everywhere. He believes JADAM can cut chemical expenses down to “pennies an acre.”

“I don’t care what you plant in the ground,” Faucher said. “With JADAM, it’ll pop up. But I wish I would have known how to control it better last season.”

Faucher treated his entire property with diluted JADAM, covering rows of beans, chiles, corn, peppers, pumpkins and tomatoes.

“I could not believe the size of my golden russet potatoes!” he exclaimed.

But he discovered that applying JADAM everywhere created unexpected problems.

“The vegetation took over everything,” he admitted. “I was killing myself with the weed eater! So, this season I’m just going to spray each individual row.”

JADAM practitioners exchange advice and experiences through various social media communities. The complete article appears in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s spring Cultivate magazine.

For more information, contact Faucher at 540-425-4203.

DELMARVA — Crop insurance deadlines are approaching for corn and soybean producers as wet weather continues to slow planting across the Midwest. According to Williamson Crop Insurance, farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan face a June 5 final plant date for corn and June 20 for soybeans. Missing those windows means reduced coverage for each day planted late. On Delmarva, most planting wrapped up weeks ago, but the insurance clock matters for anyone with delayed acres.

Markets

Soybeans showed mixed results Wednesday with July contracts closing at $11.85¼, down ¾¢. Soybean meal and oil held gains despite falling crude prices. USDA reports soybean planting nationwide is now 79% complete, ahead of the average pace.

Locally, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is offering $5.01/bu for July corn and $11.33 for July soybeans. Triple-M Farms in Lebanon, Pennsylvania is bringing $5.31 for July corn.

Forecast

Sunny skies are expected Thursday with a high near 78°F and northwest winds 5-15 mph. Tonight stays mostly clear with lows around 57°F. Friday brings more sunshine with highs around 77°F and light west winds. Perfect weather for fieldwork across the peninsula.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, May 28, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.

A family-owned Iowa seed company has filed a federal lawsuit claiming Bayer engaged in illegal tactics to dominate the American market for genetically modified corn seeds, allegedly earning “hundreds of millions, if not billions, of ill-gotten dollars.”

The legal action by Latham Quality targets the concentrated U.S. seed industry as the current administration examines anti-competitive practices in agricultural supply chains. The Germany-based pharmaceutical and agricultural giant already faces thousands of separate lawsuits claiming its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer.

According to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri last month and made public Tuesday, Bayer artificially inflated costs for farmers and independent seed companies by dominating the market for corn seeds engineered to withstand Roundup.

“Bayer has the power to control market prices and exclude competition,” the lawsuit stated. “In fact, it does so.”

The civil case seeks class-action status and requests triple damages for losses allegedly suffered by Latham and similar companies. American crop producers have been grappling with elevated expenses for seeds, fuel and fertilizer while confronting a fourth consecutive year of declining profit margins.

Bayer, which purchased American seed manufacturer Monsanto in 2018, responded Wednesday that it considers the claims without merit and will address them through the court system. The company maintained it operates fairly across all areas of its agricultural operations while following applicable regulations.

“The crop input and corn seed markets are competitive, fair and diverse,” Bayer stated.

The Department of Justice announced last week that Bayer eliminated potentially anti-competitive elements from a loyalty program designed for independent seed companies that license its technology for seed production.

The lawsuit centers on corn seeds called NK603, which Bayer controls. Nearly all genetically engineered hybrid corn seeds distributed in America contain the NK603 characteristic that provides Roundup resistance, the complaint noted. Federal estimates indicate approximately 92% of corn acreage utilizes herbicide-tolerant seeds.

Despite Bayer’s final patent on NK603 expiring in 2022, demand has remained strong while no meaningful competition has developed, according to the filing.

“This is the direct result of Bayer’s anti-competitive conduct to maintain its monopoly,” the complaint alleged.

The lawsuit claims Bayer blocked independent seed companies from utilizing its genetic seed material to create competing generic corn products even after the NK603 patent lapsed. The company also continued collecting royalties on seeds grown from its genetic material and increased licensing costs for companies like Latham.

Latham had licensed rights from Bayer or Monsanto to incorporate NK603 into corn seeds that Latham manufactured and sold to farmers. When Latham began developing its own corn seeds that would compete with Bayer’s offerings, a Bayer representative allegedly warned the company to “stay 100% loyal to Bayer.”

After Latham continued its competitive efforts, Bayer brand sales representatives retaliated by using confidential information to steal the company’s customers, pushing Latham toward bankruptcy, the lawsuit claimed.

“Unfortunately, many independent companies are going out of business as these multinational companies have become more powerful and frankly predatory,” John Latham, president of Latham Quality, testified to a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on competition in the seed and fertilizer sectors in October.

Bayer’s Crop Science division, which encompasses seeds, reported first-quarter earnings that increased 17.9% to 3 billion euros ($3.49 billion).