Agriculture Today Presented by CHS Ag Services

This episode of Red River Farm Network, presented by CHS Ag Services, delivers a comprehensive update on current agricultural conditions, policy developments, and market trends. The broadcast begins with a weather report highlighting a major snowstorm affecting the Dakotas and Minnesota, with significant impacts expected through the weekend and into early next week. Farmers are closely monitoring conditions as they finalize planting plans, concerned about how delayed fieldwork could disrupt crop rotations. The discussion then shifts to federal policy, covering the White House's 2027 budget proposal, which includes a 19% cut to USDA discretionary funding and proposed eliminations of programs like McGovern-Dole and certain AMS carve-outs. Meanwhile, the House Farm Bill remains on hold due to congressional recess and competing priorities like the war supplemental and DHS funding. Bridge assistance payments are rolling out smoothly, with a deadline of April 17th, and there's growing momentum to expand disaster aid beyond the current framework. On trade, U.S. ag negotiator Julie Callahan outlines a continued focus on America First policies, including USMCA reviews and ongoing talks with China to stabilize agricultural exports. The episode also examines rising fuel costs, driven by geopolitical tensions with Iran, with Kansas State University projecting that $90 oil could add over $10,000 in annual diesel costs for grain farms. A new survey shows strong public support—8-to-1—for year-round E15 fuel access, which could boost corn demand and lower fuel prices. Finally, the right-to-repair debate intensifies as evidence emerges that John Deere’s ProService software lacks critical data available to dealers, raising concerns about data ownership and corporate control over farm equipment. The episode closes with market updates and a reminder of the Good Friday holiday market closure.