Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - January 2026
/DEVELOPMENTS
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran noted USDA recently made the decision to exempt the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan from the federal hiring freeze. Last November, he called on USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to pursue an exemption and expedite the recruitment and hiring of staff at NBAF. “I recently hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden in Manhattan for a tour of the facility. This decision will help make certain NBAF can hire the necessary staff in both science and operational roles to bolster NBAF’s function and mission, strengthening national food and agriculture security.”
From its Olathe, Kansas offices, John Deere recently announced a series of updates to its Model Year 2027 (MY27) application portfolio, delivering advancements in maneuverability, visibility, and precision agriculture. Highlights include Four-Wheel Steering for improved handling and enhanced precision ag tools and insights to streamline logistics and data analysis. The company also introduced the next generation of its See & Spray™ technology, building on a proven foundation to expand targeted application across more crops and more operating conditions, allowing for more passes throughout the season. The updated See & Spray Gen 2 solution is designed to support operations of all sizes, helping farmers manage rising input costs, tighter application windows, and increasing weed pressure with greater confidence and flexibility at any time of day throughout the season.
The rural U.S. population is growing, but not as fast as the nationʼs overall population. A net 134,000 people were added to non-metro areas between July 2023 and July 2024, bringing the rural population to 46.2 million, but the rural share of the nationʼs total population slipped from 13.7% to 13.6% over that time, according to USDAʼs Economic Research Service. The metro U.S. population increased by 1.08% over the same period, ERS reported Tuesday. “The total nonmetro population increased each year from 2020 to 2024 (figure 1), driven by positive net migration (more people moving in than moving out). However, net migration from 2022 to 2024 has remained relatively stable,” ERS said. Metro areas have consistently grown faster both because of net migration and because of net number of births and deaths. Source: www.agri-pulse.com
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from Bayer Animal Health to block thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weed killer could cause cancer. The justices will consider whether EPA’s approval of the Roundup weed killer without a cancer warning should rule out the state court claims. The Trump administration has weighed in on Bayer’s behalf, reversing the Biden administration’s position and putting it at odds with some supporters of the Make America Healthy Again agenda who oppose giving the company the legal immunity it seeks. Some studies associate Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, with cancer, although the EPA has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. The high court will take up a case from Missouri, in which a jury awarded $1.25 million to a man who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after spraying Roundup on a community garden in St. Louis.
Agriculture groups across the nation have warned the economic crisis in rural America is a serious situation. Fifty-six organizations representing a cross-section of agriculture signed a letter that was sent to Congress on January 15. The letter describes an existential threat looming over many farms, stating, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and growers are facing extreme economic pressures that threaten the long-term viability of the U.S. agriculture sector. An alarming number of farmers are financially underwater, farm bankruptcies continue to climb, and many farmers may have difficulty securing financing to grow their next crop.” The letter, organized by the American Farm Bureau Federation, acknowledges—and expresses appreciation for—the significant investments over the past year in farm programs, such as the bridge assistance program, and other aid to support farmers. It also notes that losses for commodity crops and specialty crops remain deep and the gap needs to be closed, saying, “In addition to continuing to pursue federal policies to increase long-term domestic demand for U.S agricultural commodities, we urge Congress to provide immediate economic support to fill in the gap of remaining losses for both field and specialty crop farmers.”
A set of amendments introduced by Missouri Farm Bureau at its annual meeting last month attracted the attention of Amazon and other big data center investors. Delegates approved language for the “responsible development of data centers, server facilities, and other similar facilities in rural communities, recognizing their potential economic benefits while prioritizing responsible stewardship of local resources and respect for private property rights.” Missouri Farm Bureau president Garrett Hawkins said that the proliferation of data centers across the country is evident from the regular news coverage and is concerning, especially from a property rights perspective.
Grocery prices are expected to rise just 1.7% this year, well below the 20-year average increase, despite another sharp rise in beef prices, according to the Agriculture Departmentʼs latest forecast of food costs. The cost of eating at home rose 1.2% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2025. The average annual increase for the past 20 years is 2.6%. The cost of eating away from home rose 4.1% in 2024, 3.8% in 2025, and is expected to increase 4.6% this year, USDA says. Beef prices are expected to increase another 9.4% this year, but that will be offset by expected declines in prices for pork, poultry, and eggs. Beef cost 16.4% more in December than it did at the end of 2024. The average price of eggs is expected to drop more than 22% this year. Prices for fresh vegetables are expected to increase 2% this year, but fresh fruit prices are expected to rise just 0.2%. Grocery prices increased 0.7% in December, driven by the continued surge in beef prices and increases in a broad range of other foods, including dairy products, cereal and baked goods, and fruits and vegetables, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. Beef prices increased 1% in December. Source: Philip Brasher, Agri-Pulse Communications, January 28, 2026
Earlier this month USDA released its World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate projecting a 17-billion-bushel corn supply in 2025-2026, raising alarms among the nation’s corn growers and triggering an immediate market reaction. If the projections prove accurate, this year’s crop will be the largest on record by far. The surplus supply promises to keep corn prices low as farmers struggle to pay high input costs. “We need long-term market solutions, and we need them quickly, or this is going to deepen the economic crisis in the countryside,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower, adding that “the urgency for Congress and the president to open new markets abroad and expand consumer access to ethanol just increased exponentially.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback from Kansans for the 2026 Kansas Custom Rates Survey to collect information on rates paid for agricultural custom work. The survey is administered through the Kansas State University Land Use Survey Office and will be open through March 31, 2026. This survey collects data on charges for custom harvesting, land work, haying, feed preparation, and machinery rental. Whether you provide custom services or you hire custom services, knowing accurate, competitive prices can be crucial for the sustainability of agricultural operations. Completion of the survey should take about 15 minutes. The 2026 Kansas Custom Rates Survey is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. To complete the survey, visit www.tinyurl.com/custom26.
At the 107th AFBF Convention, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced expanded enrollment for the 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage program and new Section 32 commodity purchases that will result in putting more healthy, U.S.-grown food in the hands of Americans. Following the convention, Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
The Agriculture Future of America Ambassador Program equips ambitious students to shape the future of the agriculture industry. This year, 41 student leaders representing campuses nationwide were selected to serve as a bridge between AFA and the next generation of agricultural professionals. As Ambassadors, students work with AFA to set goals and get personalized coaching to develop creative outreach strategies to achieve these goals. Designed for student leaders who believe in the power of connection, the AFA Ambassador Program empowers real-world leadership, marketing mindsets, and industry engagement. The Program is made possible through the continued partnership of the CHS Foundation, which has invested nearly $2 million since 2011 to expand the Ambassador experience.
Consumer expectations, shopping behavior, and market pressures are ever-evolving. To help the meat and dairy industries prepare for 2026, Midan Marketing, which was just acquired by Kansas City-based Trozzolo Communications Group, released its annual forecast of the top 10 trends to watch for in the new year. “These trends reflect where shoppers are headed and what will matter most as they choose their proteins,” said Kerry Beauchemin, director of brand strategy and insights at Midan. “Companies that listen closely and move with clarity are best positioned to succeed in 2026.” The 2026 outlook draws on continuous consumer tracking, marketplace evaluation, and year-round analysis to identify the forces most likely to shape growth in the new year. Midan reported the following top 10 trends for meat and dairy industries:
Sustainability Moves from Differentiator to Expectation
Food as Medicine: Protein Powers America’s Health Revival.
Dairy Production Increases as Consumer Demand Grows for Hybrid Products
Beef Prices Surge as Supply Shrinks, Creating Opportunities Across the Meat Case
Despite Tight Budgets, Consumers Still Want Affordable Indulgences
Brands Bolster Marketing to Defend Against Private Label’s Rise in Popularity
By-Product Premiumization: From Commodity to Curated
Time-starved Shoppers Embrace Easy Meal Solutions
Social Commerce Increases and E-commerce Goes Mainstream.
Goodbye Google, The Consumer Journey Starts with AI
“National Milk Producers Federation,” said NMPF CEO Gregg Doud, “thanks HHS and USDA for recognizing dairy’s critical role in a healthy diet in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as shown by its continued recommendation of three servings of dairy for Americans, its recognition of dairy’s benefits at all fat levels, and dairy’s prominence in diverse diets.” These guidelines encourage consumption of dairy nutrients critical to human health, he added. “We look forward to working with the entire nutrition community to ensure that dairy is best used to generate positive health outcomes for families across America.”
In late December, a confirmed case of New World Screwworm in northern Mexico has renewed concern among U.S. cattle producers and policymakers, as the parasitic fly continues to inch closer to the U.S.-Mexico border. Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality reported a case of NWS in a 6-day-old calf with an umbilical lesion in the municipality of Llera, located in the state of Tamaulipas. The location is approximately 197 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border, and a reminder that NWS is still a high threat to the U.S., notes Seth Meyer, director of the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute and former chief economist for USDA. He says the new case raises a tremendous amount of concern as USDA remains vigilant on keeping NWS out of the U.S. But Meyer says the growing proximity of NWS complicates already difficult decisions for cattle producers at calving season, which is a critical time of the year. There are concerns not just from a consumer standpoint, but also about whether southern producers are willing to retain heifers during calving season if there’s a risk of fly exposure,” he says. “Calving is a point of access for these animals, and that risk matters.”
University of Missouri Extension recently released updated Missouri Beef Cattle Enterprise Budgets, which provide new estimates of income and expenses for 2026. “Budgets look favorable for cow-calf producers in the coming year, but as we’ve seen, markets can change quickly,” says Jacob Hefley, MU Extension field specialist in agricultural business. “Operations that buy animals or retain calves past weaning will still face tight margins as the purchase price of cattle and interest expenses remain high.” All beef cattle budgets are available at https://mizzou.us/BeefBudgets. Updates include sensitivity analysis tables that show how changes in calf prices, feed costs or pasture rent can affect profitability. Budgets now also report income over cash costs alongside operating and total costs, giving producers a clearer picture of short-term cash flow. In addition, pasture costs are reported per acre rather than per animal unit month (AUM), making cost calculations simpler and easier to estimate.
Kansas Farmers Union, Missouri Farmers Union, Common Ground Producers & Growers, and NCBA CLUSA have announced that they have received support to launch the Homegrown Prosperity initiative, a two-year effort focused on expanding cooperative education, readiness, and early-stage development opportunities for rural communities in Kansas and Missouri. This project is supported in part by a 2025 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. “With support from The Patterson Family Foundation, the Homegrown Prosperity initiative will expand access to cooperative education, helping rural Americans explore community-owned solutions that strengthen resilience, create opportunity and keep wealth rooted locally,” said Cristine Nardi, director of U.S. Cooperatives and Economic Development at NCBA CLUSA
PEOPLE
The Kansas Beef Council has named Weston Schrader as the new Manager of Industry Relations to continue efforts in serving Kansas beef producers and strengthening relationships across the beef industry. Schrader will be responsible for coordinating Beef Checkoff collections and compliance efforts for KBC and will lead producer outreach programming, including the Beef Quality Assurance program. “Weston brings a strong understanding of the beef industry, a proven record of leadership, and genuine passion for connecting with producers,” KBC Executive Director Scott Stebner said. “His background and experience make him a great fit for this role, and we are excited to have him on our team.”
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recently congratulated Dr. Seth Meyer for his years of service as the department’s chief economist. She also introduced Dr. Justin Benavidez as USDA’s new chief economist. “Seth Meyer has been a trusted and steady leader at USDA, providing rigorous, objective economic analysis that has helped guide USDA and America’s farmers’ and ranchers’ insights into complex commodity markets,” she said. In welcoming Dr. Benavidez to USDA, she noted that “Justin brings strong policy experience, deep roots in production agriculture, and a clear understanding of the economic realities facing farmers and ranchers.”
Monica Smith joins Kansas State University Olathe as Recruitment Consultant. She will lead recruitment, classification and hiring activities for the campus, as well as providing guidance on HR position development and recruitment management. Smith has more than 16 years of management and leadership experience, including extensive expertise in employee relations, workforce development, and organizational communication. Before joining K-State Olathe, she served as a Human Resources and Operations Specialist at Walmart, supporting large, multi-site operations and high-volume hiring.
Natalie Turner is now communications director for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan. A graduate of the University of Kansas, she was previously communications director for Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. Earlier, she was deputy press secretary for Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
The Missouri Dairy Growth Council announced that Missouri Dairy has been selected as the council's management organization. Additionally, Alfred Brandt has been tapped to serve as the Executive Director of MDGC. Brandt brings decades of dairy experience to the organization, having spent his career working directly with dairy producers, industry organizations, and agricultural leaders. His deep understanding of dairy operations, policy, and producer needs positions MDGC for continued success as it works to grow and strengthen the state’s dairy industry.
Kansas Farm Bureau member Lindy McMillen, Lane County, is the winner of the 2026 American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. The contest was held as part of the 107th American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California. The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues, and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. As champion of the national contest, McMillen received a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford vehicle and paid registration to the 2026 AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Portland, Oregon. Four Kansas counties were recognized with AFBF County Activities of Excellence Awards for successful county programs and activities at the national level.
Twenty-nine members of the Kansas Livestock Association were honored during the group’s convention late last year for their longtime commitment to the association. The total number of members who have remained loyal to KLA for five decades or more now stands at 197. Those who joined KLA in 1975 and reached the half-century mark this year were Lee Borck, Great Bend; E.C. Brookover Jr., Garden City; Robert Cross, Lewis; Michael Dikeman, Manhattan; the late Richard Gfeller, Junction City; Virginia Gfeller, Junction City; Wayne Gfeller, Junction City; Dana Hauck, Manhattan; Leon Holthaus, Seneca; Lee Isaac, Hesston; KanEquip Inc., Wamego; Lynn Kirkham, Sharon Springs; Lee Mackey, Alva, OK; Chris Meyer, Sylvan Grove; Nunemaker-Ross Inc., Lawrence; Bill Pannbacker, Washington; Tom Peine, Greeley; Jim Phillips, Valley Falls; Roy Soukup, Ellsworth; Richard Theurer, Wellington; Tri Stone Farms Inc., Garden City; Thomas Weinhold, Wilson; Winter Livestock Inc., Dodge City; and Woods Cattle Company, Girard. Joining KLA in 1965 and reaching the 60-year membership mark were Maurice Erickson, Eureka; Jack Frick, Topeka; Paula Radcliff, Dexter; and Clinton Stalker Jr., Satanta. Celebrating 70 years of membership was Barbara Netherland of Ottawa. KLA is a 5,500-member trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory, and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.
EVENTS
Hot sauce market sales are projected to reach $7.66 billion by 2034, propelled by global demand shaped by social media influence, international cuisines, and increasingly creative flavor innovations. This condiment has captivated millions and has become a cultural sensation, inspiring viral social media challenges and adventurous flavor combinations. National Hot Sauce Day, January 22, celebrated not just the heat, but the culture, creativity, and bold tastes that keep fans coming back for more. From ancient Aztec kitchens to today’s billion-dollar marketplace, hot sauce has come a long way. Its origins trace back to around 7,000 B.C., when early civilizations blended ground chili peppers with water to create a fiery condiment. Over time, that simple recipe has evolved into a global staple, defined by unique flavors and diverse pepper varieties. As consumer appetite for spice continues to grow, National Hot Sauce Day has become a tribute to this timeless obsession. Who knew!
University of Missouri Extension, with support by Missouri Corn Producers and their checkoff, is offering corn and soybean producers an opportunity to strengthen their marketing skills through the “Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop,” set for Feb. 18-19 at the Boone County Electric Cooperative in Columbia. This two-day workshop is designed for growers who want to build a more confident, disciplined and informed approach to grain marketing, said Ben Brown, a specialist with MU Extension’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. Brown will be the primary instructor for the workshop. Participants will learn the essential components of a successful marketing plan, including basis, market carry, margins and cash market dynamics, which Brown says are “core concepts that help producers navigate volatile markets and protect farm income.” Registration is limited to 50 participants. Those who attend will also receive access to quarterly follow-up Zoom sessions throughout the year to reinforce key concepts and support ongoing decision-making. Register here.
The Kansas Rural Center’s Food and Farm Conference, a gathering dedicated to strengthening the health of the land and its people for 47 years, takes place February 14 at the Springhill Suites in Lawrence, Kansas. Every year the Food and Farm Conference brings together farmers, organizations, advocates, and community members motivated to build food and farm systems that are economically viable, ecologically sound and socially just. This year’s program will explore how Kansans can strengthen their communities and support one another in changing times. Alex Stone, executive director of CooperationWorks!, will be the keynote speaker.
The American Boer Goat Foundation in partnership with the American Boer Goat Association is holding its annual ABGF Educational Summit, July 24–25, 2026, in Kansas City. This premier industry event is meticulously designed to empower Boer goat producers through cutting edge education, strategic networking, and a shared vision for the future of the American meat goat industry. The 2026 Summit serves as a critical platform for producers to gain insights from industry experts on factors driving market change. Attendees will explore innovative production techniques aimed at increasing profitability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of their operations for future generations. “The Boer Goat Summit is a purpose-driven event fueled by progress,” said Paige Gunderson, ABGF Vice President. “By gathering producers and industry leaders in one facility, we foster a unique environment for direct feedback and community building that strengthens the entire Boer goat sector.” More information is available here.
Pearls of Production kicks off its celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer with a February 22 keynote webinar featuring Carey Portell. Portell is a resilient force in the agricultural world who has overcome the physical limitations imposed by a serious car crash to become a successful cattle farmer, author, and speaker. Heather Conrow, University of Missouri Extension livestock and statewide poultry specialist, says, “Carey Portell’s keynote will inspire participants to see challenges as opportunities.” For more information, contact Heather Conrow at hconrow@missouri.edu or 660-248-2272. Register at https://pears.io/events/mu/3344/.