Diesel prices climbed to $5.61 per gallon on August 28, nearing the record high set in 2022, just as farmers move into fall harvest. Several factors are contributing to the spike, including distillate fuel stocks at near 40-year lows, Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries that are limiting global diesel supply and lingering effects from the earlier closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest USDA weekly Crop Progress Report, released Monday, showed corn conditions holding firm while soybean ratings slipped slightly. Crop development for both corn and soybeans remains ahead of last year's pace, and harvest activity across small grains and other crops continues to gain ground.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Monday the Ranchers First Initiative, a set of new programs aimed at rebuilding the nation's cattle herd, which currently sits at its lowest level in 75 years. The plan leads with a new heifer retention insurance tool and also includes disaster recovery support, investment in local processing capacity and a push to prioritize American beef in federal spending.

A soybean disease that mimics sudden death syndrome (SDS) is turning up across the Midwest, and plant pathologists say a quick glance won't tell the two apart. Red crown rot has now been confirmed in at least eight Midwest states, including a new detection in Iowa. Estimated national losses jumped from roughly 121,000 bushels in 2024 to 7.7 million bushels in 2025 with potential to expand.

North Dakota is stepping up statewide drought relief for livestock producers as dry conditions tighten their grip across the state.…

The latest USDA weekly Crop Progress Report, released Monday, showed corn and soybean conditions continuing to slip over last year’s pace, while crop development staying ahead of the last year. As fall wheat harvest wrapped up, attention turns to spring wheat, which progressed 21 points in the top six states.

An executive order from President Trump, expected within the next two weeks, would ease tariffs for beef imports by 300,000 metric tons for 90 days. The order is designed to ease ground beef prices by up to 25%, welcomed news for consumers amid high food prices.

The USDA's latest export sales report, covering the week through Aug. 13, showed soybeans taking the lead after a sluggish stretch of China sales earlier this marketing year. Soybean exports posted 66.4 million bushels with combined old and new crop sales, landing at the high end of analyst estimates.

USDA reports this year's U.S. wheat crop is on track to be the smallest in decades, tightening the nation's wheat supply outlook heading into harvest season. According to USDA's Outlook Board, no changes were made to export or usage forecasts.

Unionized workers at Cargill's Fort Morgan, Colorado, beef processing plant voted to approve a new contract. The agreement resolves a labor dispute and clears the way for the facility to resume cattle slaughter after a pause since April. A new five-year contract raises base pay for workers by $1.40 per hour in year one.