The USDA August WASDE report brought a few notable revisions across the major row crops. Corn production was raised slightly to 16.01 billion bushels (16 billion in the July report) on a projected yield of 180.7 bushels per acre (down from 183 in the July report).

Announced in a release this past week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) outlined its steps to support America’s farmers in response to ongoing challenges across the agricultural sector. To ease financial pressures and strengthen risk management options for American farmers, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is announcing temporary premium payment flexibilities and the reinstatement of the option to purchase additional 5% prevented planting coverage.

The USDA weekly Crop Progress Report, released Monday, showed corn conditions holding steady week-over-week while soybean ratings slipped slightly, with both pacing behind last year’s conditions. Crop development for both corn and soybeans remains ahead of last year's pace and the five-year average as the growing season pushes toward late-summer maturity stages.

StoneX's first crop survey points to another year of strong U.S. corn and soybean production, but the analysis suggests supply may not be the biggest factor shaping markets. Instead, the article highlights growing demand in domestic processing and export opportunities as a key variable that could influence price direction despite expectations for a large harvest.

The Senate Agriculture Committee did not advance Farm Bill 2.0 on Thursday, August 6, after the committee markup concluded without enough support to move the legislation forward. The vote failed 10-11 after members split over proposed changes to SNAP funding.

A new farmdoc analysis suggests farmers can improve future Agriculture Risk Coverage - County (ARC-CO) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program elections by using a straightforward decision framework based on historical payment outcomes. Researchers evaluated enrollment decisions made between 2021 and 2024 and found many farmers did not select the program that ultimately generated the highest payment, creating opportunities to improve future farm program elections.

Congress, the USDA, and farm organizations kicked off August with several developments that could influence farm policy, livestock health, market outlooks, and producer support programs. From renewed momentum on the Senate farm bill to upcoming USDA deadlines and fresh cattle market data, here are seven stories worth keeping on your radar.

Old-crop corn stocks remain elevated heading into fall 2026, and with permanent grain storage construction slowing, growers and grain handlers are eyeing temporary storage as a short-term fix. The USDA's June 1 Grain Stocks report showed on-farm corn inventories up 16% from a year ago, while soft commodity prices have kept old-crop movement sluggish.

Dangerous heat and humidity are taking a serious toll on cattle across feedlots and pastures, with losses mounting from north to south despite stepped-up efforts to keep cattle cool. Heat index readings have climbed as high as 110 to 130 degrees in parts of Oklahoma and Nebraska this week, as Oklahoma State University livestock marketing specialist Dr. Derrell Peel noted the heat came on suddenly, giving cattle little time to adjust.

The USDA announced this past week that it will reopen ports of entry for Mexican cattle imports starting August 24, ending a yearlong suspension tied to concerns over New World screwworm. Industry groups have been largely supportive of the phased approach, which begins with Douglas, Arizona, followed by potential reopenings in Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico.