Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - September 2026
Developments
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg has been appointed executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme. President Trump has nominated Greg Ibach to succeed Lindberg as USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Ibach previously served as USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs from 2017–2021 and as Nebraska Director of Agriculture from 2005–2017. His nomination requires Senate confirmation.
The 2026 Animal Health Summit, staged by the KC Animal Health Corridor, showcased animal health innovations during two days of panels and emerging company pitches. Malaysia-based Proton DX was awarded the Innovation Prize for its diagnostic developments aimed primarily at the swine market.
On September 16, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry reported the farm bill out of committee with a 12 to 11 vote. The bill will now head to the full Senate for a vote. Several agricultural groups applauded the movement of the bill. “We appreciate Sen. Boozman’s leadership in moving this legislation forward and we urge lawmakers in the House and Senate to advance a farm bill to President Trump’s desk,” stated American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall. The farm bill must clear a 60-vote threshold in the full Senate before the end of the year.
Kansas Sorghum has launched Sorghum State Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that will support the mission of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. The foundation will give Kansas sorghum producers access to expanded public and private financial resources to advance sorghum markets and resource conservation.
For the first time since June 2025, respondents in the August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey expect their operation to be better off financially rather than worse off a year from now. The improved outlook raised farmer sentiment from 126 in July to 135 in August. While the Index of Future Expectations increased 11 points, the Index of Current Conditions rose only 1 point. Optimism about export prospects over the next five years reached 140, the highest since December 2025. Higher input costs remained the biggest concern. The survey was conducted among 402 farmers across the nation from August 10–14.
On September 16, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins introduced the Stand-Up Program with up to $50 million in new funding to help states expand meat inspection partnerships with the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The move is part of President Trump’s recent executive order regarding market access for American meat producers. Thirty states operate State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs, and 11 participate in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. “Too many states have wanted a food inspection program of their own and could not get past the start-up costs,” Rollins said. “Now they can.”
EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are issuing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to gather public input on additional regulatory language for defining Waters of the U.S. The new language will be considered alongside the agencies’ 2025 proposed rule as they work toward a final definition that follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA, reduces regulatory uncertainty and recognizes states’ and Tribes’ roles in managing water resources.
USDA recently unveiled its $175 million Affordable Rural Cooperative Program to boost rural nuclear power and strengthen the reliability of America’s electric power transmission. ARC, administered through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, will offer loans and grants to help eligible electric cooperatives deploy advanced transmission infrastructure and nuclear power supply. For more information, visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
AFBF president Zippy Duvall commented on his meeting with President Trump and the executive orders signed on September 4 that address issues impacting America’s ranchers. “I shared with him that we have witnessed significant price drops for cattle across the country. It has caused a setback to rebuilding the U.S. herd. We’ll continue to urge the administration to reverse the decision to increase imports before cattle prices fall further.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the FY27 Crop & Livestock Research Grant Program. Funded by the State Water Plan Fund, the program supports research promoting water conservation and agricultural productivity, with an emphasis on the long-term sustainability of agriculture over the High Plains aquifer. Areas of interest include improving the performance and marketability of drought-tolerant crops; increasing nutrient uptake and reducing nutrient runoff; maximizing water-use efficiency; and improving drought resilience in areas with limited water resources. Applications are due to KDA by 5:00 p.m. on October 23, 2026. For more information, download the Request for Applications at agriculture.ks.gov/grants.
In August, Purdue University’s Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rose 8 points to 127. The survey identified alternative investments, interest rates and inflation as the top three influences on farmland values. Among respondents, 65% viewed farmland as a good investment, 17% as medium and 18% as poor. Since July 2025, producers have been asked whether they believe the U.S. is moving in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” The average “right direction” response was 71% in the final six months of 2025 and 62% in the first quarter of 2026. Since April, the percentage has fluctuated between 51% and 57%. In August, 51% of respondents said the U.S. was moving in the right direction.
Grain growers in western Kansas who plan to campaign for a seat on one of the state’s five grain commodity commissions—corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, wheat or sunflowers—should gather petition signatures to meet the November 30, 2026, filing deadline. Voting will take place in January–February 2027. The election will cover districts I, II and III, the western third of Kansas. Candidates may collect signatures on paper, online or both. The online petition portal is available here.
The Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Kansas Livestock Association said recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma have prompted delays in the shipment of thousands of cattle, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue. The groups say ICE operations have disrupted feedlots, dairy processors, feed and grain companies, and transportation hubs. Members of the Kansas Livestock Association are urging federal officials to conduct more targeted enforcement actions and provide more transparency.
Progressive Farmer reported September 29 that the U.S. and China extended the Busan Agreement, the trade truce between the two countries, to January 10, 2027. The extension identifies more than 1,600 products, including agricultural commodities, for potential tariff reductions. “But soybeans for food and crushing were excluded from the list, and negotiators did not announce new agricultural trade commitments or a timeline for implementing the potential tariff reductions,” said the publication.
People
Tel Wittmer has joined the Kansas Bankers Association as vice president of government relations. Most recently, Wittmer served as district director for Kansas Rep. Tracey Mann.
Missouri Soybeans welcomes Abby Shaffer as its new full-time communications coordinator. Shaffer will help communicate Missouri soybean farmers’ investments in research, agronomy and innovation.
George Fountas, AgriThority® global director, regulatory affairs, will present at the Biostimulants World Congress on December 1 in Sacramento, Calif. Fountas’ presentation, “Strain is Key in Biostimulant Development, Registration and Commercial Performance,” will focus on the impact of different strains or cultures of the same species.
Ray Gaesser, an agricultural leader and conservationist who farmed near Corning, Iowa, died following a farm accident. He was the former president of both the Iowa Soybean Association and the American Soybean Association. He also served in leadership roles with Iowa’s Conservation Infrastructure Initiative, Solutions from the Land and the North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance.
Four Kansans have been appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam to serve on the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Advisory Board beginning September 18. The board provides feedback on agricultural business development, international trade, the From the Land of Kansas trademark program, local foods, workforce development and agricultural education. Newly appointed members include Samantha Fischer, director of quality and food safety, Nu Life Market, Scott City; Karl Dawn Hobbs, agriculture education at Ellsworth High School, Beloit; Justine Staten, executive director, Kansas Horse Council, Olsburg; and Anna Tucker, Diamond T Livestock Co., Gypsum.
Events
The 46th Annual American Royal BBQ gets under way September 30, running through October 4, 2026. Hundreds of championship pitmaster teams will compete in brisket, ribs, chicken and sauce categories.
Missouri State Fair director Jason Moore announced that 333,489 people attended the 2026 Missouri State Fair, held last month in Sedalia, with the theme Show-Me Stars & Stripes. A highlight was the opening of the Governor Michael L. Parson Arena. The Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions and Best of Missouri Sale raised more than $385,000 for youth in agriculture. More than 29,000 entries in livestock and competitive exhibits were showcased, with substantial increases in sheep, Boer goats, draft ponies and poultry. Missouri 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors totaled more than 3,000.
The Kansas Rural Center has announced that the 2027 Food and Farm Conference will take place in Pittsburg, Kansas, on Saturday, February 20, 2027. The conference focuses on three tracks: Farm Transition, Regenerative Farming and Community Building. Keynote speaker Candy Thomas will discuss the evolving definition of “regenerative agriculture” and why soil health remains key.