Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - December 2025

DEVELOPMENTS

Dairy Farmers of America commended the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The legislation restores whole and reduced-fat milk as options on school menus. “Common sense has prevailed with Congress and the Senate recognizing the importance of giving kids access to more complete nutrient-rich and delicious beverage options that support growth and overall health," said Dennis Rodenbaugh, DFA's President and CEO. "This legislation is a win for children's health and for America's dairy farm families who work tirelessly to produce wholesome, high-quality and delicious milk. We're proud to see whole milk back on school menus, where it belongs."

President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion farm aid package on December 8 – a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised tariffs on China as part of a broader trade war. He unveiled the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers who raise cattle and grow corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, wheat, and potatoes. “$12 billion is a lot of money,” President Trump said, adding that the additional aid will help provide certainty for farmers. The money is coming from tariff revenue, he said. Secretary Rollins said that $11 billion is being announced on Monday, while another $1 billion is being held back for specialty crops.  Source: Associated Press, December 8, 2025.

China is on pace to meet its pledge to buy 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of February, said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier this month—but the announcement appeared to extend an earlier deadline for Beijing’s purchases. The Trump administration has said that China had agreed to buy the shipments during the last two months of 2025. “China is on track to keep every part of the deal, every part of the deal,” Bessent told the New York Times event and as reported by Bloomberg. Asked about the pace of soy purchases and the time left before the end of the year, he clarified that the target was “the end of the season, so I think that’ll be Feb. 28.” Source: Pro Farmer, December, 2025.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture partnered with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to host a beef cattle genetics trade team from Mexico for a multi-state inbound trade mission in mid-November. A delegation of seven Mexican cattle producers traveled through New Mexico and Kansas to strengthen commercial ties and explore the importation of U.S. beef cattle genetics. The mission was made possible through KDA’s membership in U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., with funding from the USDA Market Access Program. For more information, contact KDA international trade director Katheryn Wessel at Katheryn.Wessel@ks.gov or 785-564-7466.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has begun gathering information about farm economics from farmers and ranchers throughout the United States, as the agency conducts the third and final phase of the 2025 Agricultural Resource Management Survey. To obtain the most accurate data, NASS is reaching out to nearly 40,000 producers nationwide. The 2025 ARMS survey includes a version of the questionnaire focused on farm costs of production and expenditures for cotton, hogs and broiler producers. “The data will help inform decisions on local and federal policies and programs that affect farms and farm families,” said Agricultural Statistics Board Chair Lance Honig. The expense data gathered in ARMS will be published in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on July 24, 2026. That report and others are available at nass.usda.gov/publications.

Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that 19 projects will receive funding through the Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant Program. The competitive grant program will provide up to $50,000 per project to address food insecurity for 13 projects in urban areas, and six projects in rural areas. “Food insecurity is a problem for thousands of people across Missouri,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “The issue is not exclusive to urban or rural citizens, but rather a challenge in all areas of our state. I appreciate these groups for standing in the gap to meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.” Grant funds may be used to increase food production and availability within urban and rural areas; demonstrate growth of local economic communities; increase local economic impact; increase availability of food to local residents; or enhance already established areas within a community and provide assistance to the community.

Pearson Fuels, based in San Diego, recently announced the opening of its 450th E85 ethanol station in California. The Kansas Corn Commission works with corn checkoffs in Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa to help Pearson Fuels build infrastructure to offer the E85.  “The Kansas Corn Commission is part of a coalition that supports the efforts of Pearson Fuels to build ethanol demand, and it is paying off for Kansas corn and ethanol producers,” said Kansas Corn CEO Josh Roe. “Over a third of Kansas ethanol is sold to California. One Pearson Fuels station that we have visited sells 90,000 gallons of E85 per month – that’s over a million gallons of ethanol per year – equal to 2,900 acres of Kansas corn production. That station is one of 450 that are creating significant demand for corn and ethanol.”

Collaboration across state lines is helping strengthen the U.S. beef industry as organizations navigate higher costs, workforce changes and evolving consumer expectations, according to Dave Maples, executive director of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, and Kansas State University’s beef cattle experts. One example of that cooperation is a joint effort between Kansas and Kentucky to share a nutritionist who works with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association team. Maples said that at Kentucky’s Eden Shale Farm, the team has been able to provide hands-on learning experiences for their nutritionist, allowing her to better connect with producers while working cattle and understanding their operations firsthand.  K-State veterinarian Scott Fritz highlighted the role of social media in that effort, noting that younger generations increasingly turn to online platforms to learn about farming and ranching. “That’s an opportunity for producers to show what they do,” he said. Source: Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Extension News Service.

U.S. farmer sentiment reached its highest level since June, according to the November Purdue University–CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The index climbed to 139, up 10 points from October. The increase was driven largely by a 15-point jump in the Future Expectations Index, which climbed to 144. The rise was attributed to higher crop prices and improved export prospects. Producer optimism about their farm's financial performance also increased. That index rose to 92, up 14 points from October. Optimism outweighed growing pessimism among livestock producers, who saw cattle prices fall over the past month. But sentiment about current conditions and investment slipped. The Current Conditions Index fell 2 points to 128, and the Farm Capital Investment Index dropped 6 points to 56. The survey also asked producers about their outlook on trade. Only 7% said they expect U.S. agricultural exports to weaken in the next five years, down nearly 23% from March and 7% from October. When asked whether farmers would likely receive compensation similar to the 2019 Market Facilitation Program, 60% said it was likely. Of those respondents, 58% said they would use the payments to pay down debt. The barometer is based on survey results gathered Nov. 10–14.

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the Abuse of the Equal Access to Justice Act earlier this month. Todd Wilkinson, South Dakota cattle producer and NCBA past president, testified on the rampant EAJA abuse by environmental groups that have become repeat litigants as soon as Congress discontinued reporting requirements in 1995. “EAJA was created with the best intentions,” said Wilkinson, “to allow Americans to challenge government actions without facing crushing legal costs. Unfortunately, like so many well-intentioned programs, it became vulnerable to abuse when oversight faded.” In 2013, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that 71 sue-and-settle cases resulted in more than 100 new regulations and more than $100 million in new annual compliance costs for federal agencies. Since that time, costs have continued to stack up, straining already tight budgets and greatly reducing government efficiency. Source: Kansas Livestock Association.

PEOPLE

Seth Meyer, USDA's chief economist for nearly five years, will lead the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute effective Jan. 1. He will succeed Pat Westhoff, who has held the position since 2011 and is retiring March 1, the university said in a statement Tuesday. Prior to Meyerʼs appointment as the USDA's top economist, he served as associate director for FAPRI and also headed USDAʼs World Agricultural Outlook Board, a key office in assessing supply and demand for domestic and global crops.

The United Soybean Board, St. Charles, Missouri, elected Brent Gatton from Bremen, Kentucky as the new chair during the organization’s December board meeting in St. Charles. In the coming year, he will focus on increasing communication and education efforts to strengthen the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplify checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers, and enhance partnerships with 30+ state soybean boards on research, outreach and demand generation. “Farmers have weathered a year marked by real economic uncertainty, and I’m privileged to step into this role at such a pivotal moment,” said Gatton. “I’m focused on pushing forward investments that move volume while also promoting our sustainability to keep U.S. soybean farmers competitive in the global marketplace.”

Agriculture Future of America selected 12 college students from across the country to serve on the 2026 Student Advisory Team. They are dedicating a year to supporting their peers, creating safe environments and empowering industry growth to ensure AFA continues developing the kind of talent agriculture needs to thrive. “Serving as an SAT member will allow me to expose other college students to the valuable connections and experiences that AFA has to offer,” said Adrianna Meyer, an Agricultural and Extension Education major at The Ohio State University. “For me, this role is all about getting others excited to be a part of the agriculture industry and community.” Michael Curry, AFA Program Manager, Student Leaders and Selection, said, "These students represent the very best in food and agriculture. They were selected because they consistently demonstrate character, curiosity and a servant-leader mindset.” For more information about AFA, visit agfuture.org. Source: Savannah Nichols, Marketing Specialist, AFA

EVENTS

The Kansas Corn and Soybean Agronomy Series is coming in January to Hiawatha, Newton, Iola and Dodge City, sponsored by Kansas Soybean and Kansas Corn. With input from growers, the traditional corn and soybean schools have been retooled into a fresh, fast-paced agronomy series designed to prepare growers to meet today’s challenges and opportunities. Each session of the Kansas Corn and Soybean Agronomy Series features a powerful lineup with top private sector and university experts who will share insights on managing crop diseases, fertility management, herbicide strategies, markets, crop insurance and ag programs. “Using input from growers, we focused on putting together the best lineup of industry and university experts to cover a variety of topics that can help farmers have a successful growing season in 2026,” according to Connie Fischer, Kansas Corn Vice President of Market Development and Grower Services. These sessions are offered at no cost to growers and begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. with morning refreshments, and a hot lunch. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. and will wrap up mid-afternoon. Certified Crop Advisor and Commercial Pesticide Applicator credits will be available. More information is available at https://kscorn.com/agronomyseries/.