AGP Executive Report

Ag Day in Schools: Port Dickinson’s first “Ag Day” brought Cornell Cooperative Extension into the classroom, letting students meet farm animals, learn seeds, and explore a tractor. Wheat Harvest Update: China says winter wheat harvest is nearing 70% nationwide, helped by favorable weather and mechanized operations. Invasive Pest Alert: Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper urged residents to report yellow-legged hornet embryo and primary nests to protect pollinators and crops. Dairy & Livestock Markets: Irish calf trade stayed strong in Kilmallock, with exporters active and prices ranging widely by quality; other mart managers noted some farmers weighing whether to sell reared calves now or hold for autumn. Weather Risk for Farmers: Delmarva growers are bracing for storms with lightning and damaging winds that could raise wildfire risk in dry fields. Policy & Support: Vermont secured $31.7M in USDA disaster aid for flood-hit farmers, while West Virginia tightened screwworm entry rules with permits and veterinary inspection requirements. Water Security Debate: A South Asia water-security OpEd spotlights concerns around the Ratle hydropower project and downstream impacts. Crop Management Tips: A pea and bean benchmarking guide aims to help growers track crop development and improve management decisions.

Fertilizer Crunch in India: Maharashtra farmers report urea scarcity and higher costs, with urea bag sizes shrinking and prices rising as global shipping and energy disruptions ripple into farm budgets. Labor Strain for Crops: Berry growers say labor shortages are hitting both seasonal berry-picking and tech-skilled farm roles, with fewer third-country workers arriving than in past years. Soil Health Push in Bangladesh: The agriculture minister warns that acidic soils (pH ~4.5) are dragging yields and calls for raising pH above 6.5 while cutting excessive pesticide use. Tenant Farmers in Telangana: Tenant-cultivator groups demand loan eligibility cards under the 2011 Act, arguing rising lease rates and weak credit access keep small farmers stuck. Livestock Disease Control in South Africa: eThekwini’s livestock vaccination and tagging drive reports strong early results, with thousands vaccinated and tagged across dip tanks. Farm Safety & Disasters: A Kansas farmer died after an industrial sprayer collided with a train, while wild elephant activity in India’s Kodlipete area has farmers demanding faster forest department action. Market & Policy Signals: The US House advances agriculture appropriations supporting grain inspection and export readiness, and Minnesota expands Farm to School grants to boost local food purchases. Local Food Resilience: A survey after Hurricane Helene finds many regional farms rebounded in sales to restaurants and farm stands.

Fertilizer Crackdown: The U.S. FTC has launched a major, industry-wide investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration after farmers warned input costs have surged since 2020. Animal Health & Trade: New Mexico confirmed its first New World screwworm case, triggering a 12-mile infested zone and expanded surveillance; Mexico then moved to halt most live-animal imports from the U.S. to protect its herd. Policy for Land Use: New Zealand’s government is backing “land use flexibility” with $143m across dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture, forestry, whenua Māori and aquaculture projects aimed at higher productivity with a smaller environmental footprint. Climate Politics in Farming: ACT says New Zealand shouldn’t be “forced” into Paris targets that treat methane like fossil carbon, proposing a “split-gas” approach and keeping agriculture out of emissions trading. Rural Resilience & Risk: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen requested USDA disaster designation for wildfire-impacted counties where hay losses are driving severe feed shortages. Local Food Systems: Farmers markets are kicking off across the U.S., including Tomahawk, Wisconsin and Pasadena, California, with vendors highlighting fresh produce and community support.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines: South Africa’s FMD Response SA urges the government to release millions of FMD vaccines directly to private veterinarians, warning only a small share of cattle have been vaccinated as outbreaks spread. Livestock Biosecurity: The U.S. confirms additional New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, raising risks for cattle and wildlife and prompting intensified inspections and sterile-fly plans. Food Security Diplomacy: BRICS agriculture talks kick off in Indore, focusing on food security, climate-resilient farming, trade, and farmer welfare through June 13. Regional Agriculture Push: Nigeria reports major food security gains, citing lower prices and expanded value chains from seeds and pest management to agribusiness support. Irrigation for Farmers: Gujarat’s CM approves early Narmada canal water release for irrigation starting June 11 to meet farmers’ crop needs. Market Access for Growers: Assam’s Tezpur litchi ships its first export consignment to Dubai, building on its GI tag to open new returns for growers. Renewables vs Farmland: Victoria’s Dookie community raises concerns over proposed renewable energy zones covering high-value cropping land. Heat at Work: Spain launches a summer heat surveillance plan, with extra inspections targeting agriculture and other outdoor sectors. Water & Farming Communities: Northeast Wisconsin farmers and partners continue runoff and habitat work to improve the Fox-Wolf watershed and protect local farms. Tech for Farming: Dubai’s GigaFarm moves ahead with a circular vertical farming system turning food waste into production, with first crops expected later this year.

Rural Labor Policy: ACT unveiled a Rural Workforce Visa for New Zealand, aiming to keep year-round farm jobs filled and exempt the plan from an infrastructure levy after farmers flagged ongoing labour shortages. Animal Health Crisis: USDA confirmed New World screwworm spread beyond Texas, adding cases in a calf (La Salle County), a goat (Gillespie County) and a dog in New Mexico, triggering tighter movement rules and Canada’s livestock import ban from Texas. Farm Finance: BNZ launched a First Farm Funding Boost with lower interest on early borrowing plus short-term working capital to help first-time dairy, sheep and beef buyers into ownership. Local Food Systems: Minnesota awarded $1.3M for Farm to School grants to expand purchases of Minnesota-grown foods, while Pennsylvania’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers open for eligible seniors. Market & Training Boosts: Canada’s International Rural Exchange is matching workers to farms to close labour gaps, and a vocational hub in Fiji is planned to train school dropouts for commercial agriculture. Climate & Commodities: Ghana’s $3.5bn AgriConnect Compact targets 2.6M jobs, as Proforest warns climate change is already cutting cocoa incomes.

Biosecurity Alert: USDA confirmed two more New World screwworm cases in Texas (a calf and a dog), bringing detections to four and raising pressure on ranchers to report and contain suspected wounds. Trade & Access: China approved fresh Belgian apples for import after phytosanitary talks, opening a new market channel for European growers. Input Costs & Fertility: India says fertilizer stocks are comfortable despite West Asia tensions, while Nagapattinam urged farmers to use soil testing and soil-health cards to cut wasteful chemical use. Farmer Support & Payments: Tamil Nadu farmers protested delayed paddy procurement reimbursements, and Maharashtra signaled it may tweak farm-loan waiver conditions after criticism of exclusions. Policy & Planning: Vietnam targets 5,000 new agricultural enterprises by 2031 as it pushes digital agriculture and certified food-safety standards. Market Watch: Zimbabwe tobacco sales volumes rose sharply, but prices fell, squeezing earnings for growers. Agribusiness & Modernization: A Dairy Processor Modernization Grant opens pre-applications June 25, backing equipment for processing and packaging. Weather Risk: Experts warned Tanzania to prepare for El Niño-linked rainfall boosts alongside flood and disease risks.

USDA Reorganization: FSIS employees face a June 30 deadline to choose relocation or separation, with potential job removal if they don’t report to new duty stations. Ag Exports: Yemen’s Agriculture Marketing Sector has started exporting surplus potatoes after seed self-sufficiency boosted production. Farm Finance Politics: Maharashtra’s farm loan waiver is under fire over eligibility rules, even as a cabinet note says restrictions could lower the state’s payout. Rural Innovation: China’s “science and technology backyards” are expanding to link students and researchers with farmers and agribusinesses for practical problem-solving. Crop Losses: Kashmir’s Shopian apple belt reports 30–35% yield drops after last year’s hailstorms damaged buds. Market Access & Community: Lane County Farmers Market expands to Springfield, adding local vendors and running weekly through late October. Food Security Infrastructure: Bangladesh’s Padma Barrage project is pitched as a game-changer for irrigation and groundwater protection in Rajshahi. Pest Pressure: NSW farmers report feral pigs tearing up hay paddocks, worsening feed shortages and pasture damage. Trade Shock: Thailand scrambles to find alternative markets for shrimp after Malaysia suspended imports of several species. Livestock & Safety: Virginia urges farmers to prepare for Atlantic hurricane season with animal protection, supplies, and backup power. Local Ag Economy: Fiji’s new recycling hub in Ba aims to divert waste from landfill and improve access for residents, farmers, and businesses.

Farm Infrastructure Boost: Zamboanga del Sur signed P345M farm-to-market road deals with the Department of Agriculture to cut transport costs and link farms to markets. Aquaculture Support: BFAR-1 distributed 80,000 bangus fry and 1,000 siganid fry to Pangasinan’s SAMAPA, helping fishers recover from weather-related losses. Water-Smart Farming Push: A lawmaker urged faster farmland leveling and water-saving practices as El Niño fears rise, alongside irrigation rehab and rainwater harvesting plans. Crop Decisions Under Weather Pressure: Maharashtra officials expect cotton acreage to jump 10–15% this kharif as farmers shift from soybean amid erratic rains and price swings. Procurement Readiness: Tamil Nadu’s agriculture minister made surprise checks at paddy procurement centers in Kumbakonam, ordering extra storage and steps to prevent grain loss. Biosecurity & Animal Health: California NRCS says it’s ready to help ranchers respond to New World screwworm risks with conservation and monitoring support. Rural Insecurity: Bandits killed farmers preparing fields in Zamfara, raising fears of reduced planting and higher food prices. Renewables for Farmers: Odisha plans an AgriPV policy by 2027 to let farmers earn from solar while keeping farmland productive. Food Safety Spotlight: World Food Safety Day highlights WHO/FAO estimates of unsafe food causing 866M illnesses and 1.52M deaths yearly, with new hazard tracking. Market Access for Producers: Kyrgyz honey producers entered the EU TRACES system, opening a path to export markets.

Wisconsin Dairy Kickoff: “Cows on the Concourse” brought live cows, grilled cheese, and hands-on learning to Capitol Square as National Dairy Month got underway. U.S. Farm Policy Politics: President Trump used a Wisconsin farmer roundtable to argue fertilizer and energy costs will fall, while Democrats criticized his approach. Ag Data Privacy Law: Nebraska enacted LB 525, creating specific rules to protect farm and ranch digital data. Specialty Crops Funding Push: A Washington-focused farm bill proposal would add $1 billion for specialty crops, aiming to keep fruit and berry growers from being overlooked. Livestock Health Rules: Delaware tightened import requirements for warm-blooded animals from Texas after a New World Screwworm detection. Drone Spraying Expansion: Texas AgriDrone Services expanded Central Texas coverage, using drones for pasture weed and brush control. Weather Stress on Fruit: Texas researchers warned last winter’s low “chill hours” could reduce yields for peaches and berries. Crop Damage From Storms: Maharashtra officials assessed rain-and-hail damage across nearly one lakh acres. Food Safety Call: Pakistan’s PM urged everyone to help build a safe, resilient food system on World Food Safety Day.

Fertilizer squeeze and politics: In Wisconsin, President Trump told farmers fertilizer prices will “come way down” as attacks near the Strait of Hormuz continue, tying costs to the Iran conflict and promising a faster turnaround. Input-cost pressure: An Iowa farmer op-ed argues fertilizer market consolidation is crushing growers, with bushels needed to buy common inputs rising sharply over the past five years. Extreme weather hits crops: Violent hailstorms and intense rain in northern and central Italy have damaged cereals, vegetables, fruit, and vineyards, with losses potentially running into the millions of euros. Pest and plant-health alerts: California’s CDFA urged anyone who bought Costco grapevines in Northern California (Apr 21–May 21) to contact local officials after detection of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Biosecurity and disease control: Namibia’s livestock producers were urged to tighten foot-and-mouth biosecurity and report suspicious symptoms; Cyprus also completed culling of 6,650 animals to eradicate FMD. Farmer support and market access: FAO launched farmer field schools in Moldova to help small vegetable producers use climate-resilient practices and improve market access; Kenya’s KMSA advised moisture-conservation steps for a June outlook with near-average to below-average rainfall. Local agri-economy boosts: Farm-to-market road projects in Catanauan, Quezon (P120m) are nearing completion to speed transport of agricultural products to markets. Community and markets: Slinger Farmers Market opens Sunday, while multiple regional farmers markets are gearing up for the season. Land and conflict: Farmers in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli temporarily halted protests after assurances on land acquisition for a proposed airport, while opposition to India’s Third Mumbai project is set to escalate with a June 7 convention.

Farm Infrastructure: DAR inspections are nearing completion on P120m farm-to-market roads in Catanauan, Quezon, aimed at speeding up farmers’ access to markets. Community & Markets: Overland Park’s new Clock Tower Landing opens to expand its farmers market footprint, while West Salem’s June Dairy Days kicks off with parade, music and fireworks. Farmer Support & Finance: Pakistan’s Askari Bank and Verdora Ventures signed a Rs250m facility to fund high-value crops like tomatoes, turmeric and chillies; Ghana’s MoFA and Finance Ministry clash over whether GH¢1.677bn was actually released. Risk & Resilience: Louisiana tightened New World screwworm interstate movement rules; Canada’s Fraser Valley poultry gets $1.4m for avian influenza protection tech; Wisconsin farmers juggle drought relief as rain returns after extreme swings. Policy & Politics: Trump’s Wisconsin farm roundtable mixed job-growth messaging with tariff and input-cost claims; Georgia WIC Farmers Market programs expand access to free produce for eligible families. On-the-Ground Stories: A lightning strike killed a Chandpur farmer; farmers in Western Australia face opposition to a youth “night space” plan near an agricultural precinct.

Pest Watch: Missouri’s Pest Monitoring Network reports the first Japanese beetle captures of 2026, urging growers to scout soybean and corn now as peak activity may hit in 2–4 weeks. Livestock Health Alert: Texas confirmed a New World screwworm case, triggering a quarantine zone and tighter movement rules plus calls for farmers to monitor wounds and newborn calves. Input Costs & Policy: Benue State (Nigeria) announced subsidized fertilizer at N28,000 per bag, with government paying the balance to protect farmers from price spikes. Farmer Support Programs: Scotland’s pig sector faces mounting losses and calls for government help as producers exit the industry. Food Security Funding: The African Development Bank and WFP signed an $87m Sudan project to cut post-harvest losses, restore production, and support rainfed wheat and sorghum farmers. Market & Community: Multiple regions kick off farmers market seasons, including a June 6 opening in Forrest City and ongoing SNAP/EBT matching at Genesee Country Farmers Market. Rural Risk & Safety: A farmer in Isabela was reportedly stabbed to death after a dispute over Wi‑Fi, highlighting how tensions can turn deadly.

EU Legal Pressure on Peat: The European Commission will refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice over continued failures to properly apply environmental impact rules for large-scale peat extraction. Budget Boost for Farmers: Ghana released 85% of its 2026 Agriculture Ministry budget (GH¢1.677bn) to back mechanisation, irrigation, certified seeds and fertiliser supply, plus poultry and food buffer stock support. El Niño Hits Crops: Dry weather across Asia is disrupting planting and raising food-price risks as a strong El Niño pattern is expected to intensify heat and drought. Livestock Health Alarm (US): New World screwworm has been confirmed in a Texas calf, prompting quarantines and movement controls; officials stress vigilance rather than panic, while Nebraska ranchers weigh impacts. Dairy Effluent Case (NZ): A Waikato dairy farmer was fined after effluent breaches tied to missing/unused storage infrastructure. Feed Crisis (Barbados): Pasture fires are driving a severe feed-and-forage shortage, pushing hay prices sharply higher. Farmers’ Wellbeing Snapshot (NZ): Stats NZ reports farmers make up 1.8% of employment, with most reporting job satisfaction and rising numbers of older farmers.

RUAS Leadership: A Maguiresbridge dairy and beef cattle farmer has been named Deputy President of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, highlighting long-running livestock breeding and show-ring experience. Trade & Compliance: The U.S. says new forced-labor tariffs match an EU timeline, while an ag economist warns equipment tariff cuts may not lower prices for farmers. Farm Safety & Crime: Farmers in Faridkot, India are offering UPI payments to thieves to stop repeated tubewell motor thefts; in Pretoria, a farmer was shot during a robbery with no arrests yet. Market Pressure: Rajshahi mango prices are sliding after Eid demand cooled; Maharashtra onion growers urge vigilance against fertiliser and seed dealers charging above MRP. Policy & Funding: Ghana released GH¢1.677bn (85% of its 2026 MoFA budget) for seeds, fertiliser, irrigation and farmer service centres; USDA issued a second supplemental disaster payment for eligible producers. Climate Risk & Support: Britam paid Ksh97.3m to 402,681 farmers and pastoralists via parametric insurance after weather shocks. Research & Tech: Next-gen ag robots are moving toward plant-by-plant crop management, and a study finds women farmers face higher mental health strain from extra unpaid work. Pest Watch: Locust numbers are surging in north-west Victoria, with authorities urging early reporting and targeted treatment.

Policy & Payments: Ireland’s CAP beneficiary database for 2025 is published, with analysis arguing the biggest BISS payouts don’t follow the “20% take 80%” narrative. Environmental Compliance: A Waihi dairy farmer was fined about $39,000 after unlawful cow-waste discharges, with regulators citing inadequate storage. Rural Economy: A U.S. rural bank CEO survey shows the Rural Mainstreet Index slipping below growth-neutral again as farm income and credit tighten. Climate Risk & Food Security: El Niño fears are driving government moves to shield crops, while drought worries in Utah push ranchers to plan for a “new normal.” Biosecurity Threat: Texas officials and USDA respond to a suspected New World screwworm case near the border, with calls for faster adult-suppression action. Local Markets & Community: Farmers markets expand and relaunch across the U.S. (Idaho, Maryland, Colorado-area listings), boosting local growers and fresh produce access. Tech for Farmers: Michigan’s EnviroWeather goes mobile for on-the-go frost and pest protection. Regenerative & Soil Health: A Michigan livestock farm partnership tests regenerative practices, linking soil biology to pasture and animal health. Development Finance: Bangladesh signs a $70m IFAD-backed GREEN project to fund climate-resilient farming and nutrition through 2031.

Precision Farming & Extension: Missouri’s Hundley-Whaley Center is upgrading soil sampling and precision ag tools to give farmers more accurate nutrient and fertility guidance. Farm Labor Policy: California growers may cut H-2A wages under a new calculation rule, with potential savings up to $100M—if legal challenges don’t stop it. Animal Health Alerts: Texas confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy herd, while USDA says the New World screwworm is creeping toward the U.S. border, triggering heightened prevention steps. Input Costs & Permits: Malaysia’s Kedah will help farmers get special permits to buy more fuel for machinery, with hundreds approved since Jan. Weather & Planting: Ohio farmers are finally getting workable conditions after a very wet May, and Illinois Valley reports planting is catching up as warmer weather arrives. EU Farm Governance: Slovakia’s subsidy changes drew an EPPO warning that they may weaken protection of EU financial interests. Food Security Investment: Oman is pushing a $4.2B agriculture development plan in Batinah to boost local production and cut import dependence.