Wednesday July 16 Ag News - NE Farmland Value falls 2% - Ag Succession for Heirless Farms - OBBB Supports Ag - Omaha Company Chosen for Dairy Accelerator - Grassland CRP Sign-up - and more!

Nebraska Ag Land Values Fall 2% Amid Lower Crop Prices, Rising Costs According to Final Farm Real Estate Report

Nebraska’s average agricultural land value declined in 2025 for the first time in six years, reflecting the financial pressures facing the state’s producers as crop prices, input costs and interest rates reshape the land market.

The decline comes as Nebraska crop producers face growing financial pressures. Following years of rising farm income, the land market is beginning to reflect recent realities like lower crop revenues, elevated production costs and higher interest rates, according to Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension who coordinates the annual report.

“Crop producers are dealing with pressure on their margins,” said Jansen. “The combined effect of softer commodity markets and higher costs is being reflected in what people are willing to pay for different types of cropland.”

The report details how land values vary by region of the state and by land type. Grazing land showed modest gains, reflecting ongoing demand driven by higher livestock prices, while irrigated and dryland cropland experienced declines in many parts of the state. Jansen said that the differences in crop and livestock profitability may continue to be reflected in the market value of each industry’s land classes. 

“Higher cattle prices have helped support the value of grazing land, while lower crop prices and tighter margins are putting pressure on cropland values,” Jansen said. “We expect these market dynamics to continue influencing land values across different regions and land classes in Nebraska.”

2025 Average Value per Acre by District
Northeast Nebraska - $8305/acre - down 3% from last year
East Central - $9435/acre - down 3% from last year 
Statewide average - $3935/acre - down 2% from last year

Cropland vs. pasture rental rates
Cash rental rates for cropland trended lower across the state, down between 1% and 7% compared to last year. The productivity of rented cropland — including the type of soil, expected rainfall and local market — contributed to regional cash rental rates, according to survey panel members.

Pasture rental rates declined by 1% in the central region but saw modest gains across the rest of the state, increasing between 1% and 5% over the prior year. These rates were driven by stronger cattle markets and demand for grazing land. Cow-calf and stocker monthly rental rates also trended steady to higher across the state in 2025.

The financial pressures for many landowners and tenants from rising crop input expenses, combined with higher borrowing costs, are putting increased emphasis on risk management and lease flexibility. Jansen noted that clear communication between landowners and tenants, particularly about weather-related terms in a lease, is essential.

“Provisions regarding drought in grazing land leases need to be reviewed by the appropriate agency or organization providing disaster assistance for pasture or range to ensure the property remains eligible in the event of adverse weather patterns,” he said.

Hunting leases provide additional income
Each year, the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey Report provides a special feature section, analyzing topics related to new or emerging issues in the state’s agricultural land industry. This year’s report looks at the role of hunting leases as a growing source of income. Landowners who have not already granted hunting rights to their tenant(s) may lease exclusive rights to third parties to hunt certain types of wild game on their land.

Approximately 49% of wild game leases in Nebraska this year were for antelope or deer. Pheasants, turkey, waterfowl and other game constituted 17%, 13%, 19% and 2%, respectively.

Hunting Lease Comparison for Wild Game in 2025, by Agricultural Statistics District in Nebraska
Average Percent Distribution - by District
                        Antelope or Deer - Pheasants or Quail - Turkey - Waterfowl - Other Game
Northeast          53                                21                             6                 17                 3
East                   48                                17                            9                  24                 2
State                  49                                17                            13                19                 2

Survey panelists reported that hunting lease provisions, contract duration and the type of wild game found on a property all affect the value of a hunting lease. Different types of vegetation, conservation practices or topography features may also influence it. As for annual income, 62% of hunting leases in Nebraska were reported to generate up to $2,499 a year; 29% generated $2,500 to $4,999; 8% generated $5,000 to $9,999; and 1% generated over $10,000.

“Recreational leases continue to add value for many landowners, especially in areas with good wildlife habitat,” Jansen said. “These leases can help diversify income and offset some of the expenses associated with land ownership.”

About the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey
The final 2024-2025 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report was published June 30 by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at Nebraska. It features updated land values, cash rental rates and other detailed information important to land industry participants in the state. The report is the final product of an annual survey of land professionals, including appraisers, agricultural bankers and farm and ranch managers. 

The full report is available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website at https://cap.unl.edu/realestate. 



Agriculture Land Market Remains Resilient Amid Economic Uncertainty

Despite ongoing challenges in commodity markets and uncertain farm profitability, agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid-2025, according to Farmers National Company. This resilience is mainly driven by the basic economic principle of supply and demand; there are simply more motivated buyers than willing sellers. 

While producers remain the main buyers of ag land, interest from individual and institutional investors cannot be ignored, Farmers National Company noted. As land values stabilize after reaching peaks within the past five years, investors are increasingly attracted by both annual returns and long-term appreciation. According to Farm Credit Services of America, benchmark Midwest farmland values have increased 56.9% over the past five years and 38.3% over the past decade, reinforcing land’s appeal as a long-term asset. 

Inventory remains limited, with listings down 20–25 percent from the peak in 2020–2021. Many long-term landowners are choosing to hold onto their properties, recognizing the stability and value appreciation land offers compared to more volatile investments. 

According to Paul Schadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Farmers National Company, farm profitability will be a key factor affecting land values in the future.  

“The USDA forecasts 2025 net farm income to be the lowest since 2020. This will likely influence producer purchasing power and investor returns, especially as input costs, commodity prices, and interest rates fluctuate,” says Schadegg. “While balance sheets generally remain strong, any negative movements in the ag economy could quickly impact the land market.” 

Geopolitical developments also influence the market. Trade policies, tariffs, and global unrest create uncertainty, impacting both domestic and international markets. While renegotiated trade agreements may present future opportunities, current tariffs could decrease demand for U.S. agricultural exports as other countries expand their production and infrastructure. 

Looking into the second half of 2025, those with solid financial positions—both producers and investors—will be best equipped to pursue land purchase opportunities. During periods of volatility, Farmers National Company sees strong demand for real estate and management services as landowners seek answers in today’s market.    

Farmers National Company has successfully marketed more than $450 million in land value in the first half of 2025.  

“We have had a strong start to the year and will continue to adapt to the global elements that impact the land value market,” Schadegg says.

REGIONAL LAND VALUE REPORTS

Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa 
Chanda Scheuring, Area Sales Manager

Land values in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa have stayed fairly steady over the past couple of years, despite challenges from lower commodity prices and rising input costs. But the big question on everyone’s mind is whether this market can be sustained.

As the agricultural economy has less readily available cash than in previous years, some farmers are or already have started to feel pressure from their financial lenders. Discussions about tightening budgets and even selling a quarter of their land have been topics some local loan officers have suggested to a few of their clients.

Still, some top producers want to, and have the financial ability to, expand their operations over the coming year by buying more farmland. But that pool of buyers is shrinking. 

With the changing market, it’s important to partner with a local real estate professional to not only understand the current value of your farm property but also the best way to market it in a shifting economy. 



NEBRASKA TEAM DEMYSTIFIES AG SUCCESSION FOR HEIRLESS FARMS

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability has launched new resources to help farmers and ranchers without a family heir plan for their operation’s future. 

A series of informational articles written by Jessica Groskopf, an agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension, puts together a roadmap to help agricultural producers tackle the sometimes-difficult questions and processes of setting up a succession plan without a family heir. 

“While the absence (of a family member) can simplify parts of estate planning, it often creates deeper, more emotional challenges — especially when legacy and identity are tied to the land,” Groskopf wrote in an article.

Groskopf is also offering a webinar, “Succession Planning Without a Family Heir,” at noon July 17. The webinar will cover topics such as how to clarify goals, essential documents, choosing advisers, and building a plan that is legally and practically sound. Registration is available online, and all webinars from the Center for Agricultural Profitability are recorded and viewable in the archive.

Groskopf plans to offer more webinars that will delve further into succession planning, including the legal and tax tools needed.

“It gets really complicated really quickly, so breaking down the information into smaller chunks makes it easier to digest,” she said.

Anecdotally, Groskopf, who works in the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff, noticed a trend among conversations she’s had with local agricultural producers. Many don’t have a succession plan in place because they don’t have a family member interested in taking over the operations of the farm or ranch business.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture bears this out and suggests it’s an increasingly relevant issue as the average American ag producer is getting older. About 37% of Nebraska’s ag producers are aged 65 and older, according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, and the average age of producers across the United States is 58. Questions about transition and estate planning were included in the 2017 Census of Agriculture, which showed only slightly more than half (56%) have made any succession plans.

“We are seeing more and more farmers and ranchers who have not identified an heir or person they’re expecting to pass the farm or ranch onto,” Groskopf said. “A lot of resources for succession focus on the next generation, but the reality is that for many of these folks that doesn’t apply, so that’s why we started the series.”

Groskopf is part of a team within the Center for Agricultural Profitability who are trained by the International Farm Transition Network to help producers with succession planning and is leaning on that training to disseminate the information, but she’s also listening to Nebraska’s producers and their concerns.

“I want to keep the series going, and I'm hoping to get feedback from Nebraskans about what else they would like to know about related to this topic,” she said.

For more information or to contact a member of the team to help with succession planning, email the center at cap@unl.edu.



Rep. Flood Highlights Ag Wins in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ with Senator Ricketts and Nebraska Ag Leaders 

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood was joined by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts in Norfolk last Friday to highlight key agricultural policy wins for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers included in the recently passed reconciliation bill, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

“Whether it was providing certainty to our state’s great farmers and ranchers by extending tax deductions or adding nearly $66 billion to Farm Bill and rural provisions, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act helps the very people who feed and grow our economy,” said Congressman Flood. “Now that President Trump has signed this historic investment in rural America, it's time to continue our hard work to deliver an updated Farm Bill. I am also glad to have Senator Ricketts and ag leaders join me in discussing these commonsense wins on behalf of our state’s farmers and ranchers.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes the standard deduction permanent at $15,750 per tax year. It also extends and expands the child tax credit to $2,200 annually. Additionally, it makes the 20% qualified business income deduction permanent, preserves the individual estate tax exemption at $15 million, and makes permanent Section 179 expensing at $2.5 million. Bonus depreciation is also made permanent at 100%.

Farm programs receive a significant boost with $65.6 billion in new funding. Additional funding includes a $59 billion increase for certain agricultural programs- such as Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Crop Insurance- $2.19 billion for trade programs, $2.78 billion for disaster assistance, and more.



Midwest Dairy Accelerator aims to turn fresh ideas into real sales

Midwest Dairy, in partnership with VentureFuel, today announced the four companies selected for the inaugural cohort for the Midwest Dairy Accelerator—an intensive 8-week virtual initiative designed to accelerate the next generation of dairy-forward food and beverage entrepreneurs in the Midwest.

This initiative builds on Midwest Dairy’s previous partnerships with The Hatchery and No More Empty Pots, expanding the program from pitch events to a full accelerator experience, while keeping the same goal: supporting innovative businesses that incorporate dairy ingredients into their products. Midwest Dairy is proud to offer this structured accelerator experience with greater support and long-term impact for participating founders.

In early Spring, Midwest Dairy called for accelerator applicants. Chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool across the Midwest, the four selected startups for the cohort include:
● Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding (Chicago, IL) - Gourmet, locally-sourced frozen pudding offering various flavors and the only frozen banana pudding CPG product worldwide.
● Rosebud Ice Cream (Glen Ellyn, IL) - Delicious premium soft serve ice cream pouches offering mess-free indulgence designed to be enjoyed from anywhere.
● Sugar Witch (St. Louis, MO) - Small batch, from-scratch ice cream sandwiches featuring premium
ingredients and innovative flavors. Sugar Witch ‘witches are precise "squares" cut from batch-size,
individually-wrapped and ready-to-go.
● ZOGURI (Omaha, NE) - The first-ever yogurt-based probiotic supplement that restores critically important gut bacteria with two science-backed keystone strains of L. reuteri.

Kicking off this week, participants will take part in workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and collaborative sessions with experts across the dairy value chain. The curriculum will span consumer insights, ingredients & innovation, co-packing & manufacturing, distribution & retail, marketing, business pitching, and more. Contributors include leaders from top brands, co-ops, universities, and more.

The program will culminate in a live pitch event on September 3, 2025, at The Hatchery, a non-profit food and beverage business incubator in Chicago. Finalists will pitch to a panel of industry experts and judges, with a $20,000 prize awarded to the winner and $10,000 to the runner-up.

“At Midwest Dairy, we believe that true innovation comes from entrepreneurs who challenge the status quo—and who harness the nutritional power and delicious indulgence of real dairy,” Beth Bruck-Upton, Vice President of Research and Innovation at Midwest Dairy. “By supporting food and beverage startups, we’re not only championing new products—we’re advancing an industry that has nourished communities for generations and has untapped potential to do more.”

Midwest Dairy’s ongoing commitment to innovation supports the continued evolution of dairy in the U.S., with research and pilot initiatives driving economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The Accelerator aims to help early-stage entrepreneurs meet rising consumer demand for dairy-based products that deliver on flavor, function, and convenience.

“Innovation fuels growth, and startups bring the fresh thinking needed to meet evolving consumer demands,” said Fred Schonenberg, Founder and CEO of VentureFuel. “We’re excited to partner with Midwest Dairy on this accelerator to help visionary founders rapidly turn their bold ideas into tangible, market-ready solutions that scale.”

For more information or to stay updated on the Accelerator journey, visit  www.midwestdairyaccelerator.com.




Producers and Landowners Can Now Enroll in USDA's Grassland Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that agricultural producers and private landowners can now enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP). The sign-up runs from today, July 14, to Aug. 8, 2025. Grassland CRP, offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.  

Grassland CRP emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity, and grasslands and land with shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion.  

“Through the conservation of America’s essential grasslands, Grassland CRP supports continued agricultural productivity while at the same time prioritizing private lands stewardship,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “By offering landowners the best of both worlds — economic viability and working lands preservation — Grassland CRP provisions support USDA’s commitment to Farmers First.” 

CRP, USDA’s flagship conservation program, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. For four decades, CRP has provided financial and technical support to agricultural producers and landowners whose accepted acres are placed under contract for 10-15 years and who agree to voluntarily convert the land to beneficial vegetative cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat. The American Relief Act, 2025, extended provisions for CRP through Sept. 30, 2025. 

Currently, more than 25.8 million acres are enrolled in CRP, with nearly 9.7 million acres in Grassland CRP.  On May 12, FSA opened General and Continuous CRP enrollment for 2025. FSA is currently reviewing submitted offers and will announce accepted offers at a later date. Due to the 27-million-acre statutory cap, only 1.8 million acres are available for all CRP enrollment this fiscal year.    

Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or apply for the program before the Aug. 8 deadline.      

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov. 



National Farmers Union Endorses Farmers First Act 

National Farmers Union (NFU) today endorsed the Farmers First Act, a bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes and increases funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).

“Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “The Farmers First Act will help connect our farmers and ranchers with essential resources to address farm stress and improve well-being.”

FRSAN supports those in farming, ranching and other agriculture-adjacent jobs by connecting them to assistance programs that help manage stress and mental health. According to recent data, the farmer suicide rate is more than double the national average. FRSAN is an essential tool for rural and farming communities to receive crucial mental healthcare, often in areas with little to no access.

“We thank Senators Baldwin and Ernst and Representatives Craig and Feenstra for leading the charge on this important topic and urge Congress to support this legislation,” added Larew.



House Natural Resources Committee Advances the Black Vulture Relief Act

The House Natural Resources Committee Tuesday held a full committee markup of several bills, including the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) commends the House Natural Resources Committee for reporting this legislation out of committee favorably. This legislation addresses an issue that NCBA members have faced for years, as they have dealt with the devastating attacks on their livestock without the ability to protect their cattle from these predators.

“Cattle producers across much of the nation are facing the financial and emotional strain of livestock depredations due to overabundant black vultures. Populations have skyrocketed into the millions in recent years. The current take permit numbers are just not enough to properly manage the population while also protecting newborn calves that make easy targets for these predators,” said NCBA President-Elect and Virginia cattleman Gene Copenhaver. “We are seeing the lowest cattle inventory numbers since the 1950s. As cattle producers, we cannot afford to risk newborn calves to predators, like black vultures, if we are going to begin rebuilding the herd. We are thankful for the work of Congressman John Rose for introducing this legislation and for Chairman Bruce Westerman’s continued support by advancing this bill through the House Natural Resources Committee.”

Black vulture depredation rates have increased across the Southeast in recent years, surpassing 30% in some states like Florida. The bill would allow a cattle producer to “take” (capture, kill, disperse, or transport) black vultures that pose a risk to livestock. Additionally, the bill reduces permitting burdens and red tape by instituting a simple report that producers submit once per year detailing the number of black vultures they took. Streamlining the system and lifting the cap on the number of black vultures that producers can take is a commonsense approach to managing a fully recovered, aggressive predator species. 



Growth Energy Statement on USTR’s Section 301 Investigation into Brazil’s Unfair Trading Practices

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed news that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Tuesday initiated an investigation into Brazil’s unfair trading practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

“Today’s action by USTR is a sign that the old days of Brazil enjoying unfettered access to the U.S. ethanol market while unfairly putting a tariff on American ethanol imports could soon come to an end. On behalf of U.S. ethanol producers across the heartland, we say it’s about time,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud USTR for taking this concrete step to dig further into Brazil’s unfair treatment of American ethanol and hope that it ultimately leads to a more level playing field for U.S. farmers and biofuel producers."

Earlier this year Growth Energy urged USTR to take action against Brazil in response to the country's unfair treatment of American ethanol. 



Secretary Rollins Announces New Plan to Bolster Meat and Poultry Safety

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins Tuesday at the opening of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new, modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory, launched a  comprehensive plan to bolster USDA’s efforts to combat foodborne illness. This plan better positions USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is responsible for ensuring meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled, to protect the nation’s food supply. FSIS will continue to work in close collaboration with partners like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety of the entire food supply chain. 

“President Trump is committed to ensuring American consumers have the safest, most abundant, and affordable food supply in the world. When it comes to food safety, USDA is charting a bold new course in giving consumers confidence their meat, poultry, and egg products meet our best-in-class food safety standards,” said Secretary Rollins. “I look forward to continued collaboration across the Trump administration, with states, and with food producers from farm to table, to reduce foodborne illness and protect public health.”   

USDA’s Plan to Bolster Food Safety 

1. Enhancing Microbiological Testing and Inspection Oversight 
USDA is making continued enhancements to its Listeria testing method to provide quicker results to industry and to detect a broader set of Listeria species. These additional results highlight conditions where Listeria monocytogenes can thrive in facilities producing ready-to-eat (RTE) products and help industry and FSIS identify potential sanitation problems. In 2025, FSIS has tested over 23,000 samples for Listeria, a more than 200 percent increase in samples from 2024.  

To support these enhanced testing efforts, FSIS is opening its new, modernized Midwestern Laboratory in Normandy, Missouri. During President Trump’s first term, FSIS collaborated across the Trump administration and with Congressional leaders to secure funding for a 70,000 square foot, state-of-the-art laboratory to replace the current outdated laboratory in St. Louis. This new facility will play a critical role in analyzing verification samples for foodborne pathogens and chemical residues and will also support efforts to streamline the FSIS laboratory system.  

FSIS is also mobilizing its resources to perform more robust, in-person Food Safety Assessments (FSAs), prioritizing RTE meat and poultry establishments. In 2025, the agency completed 440 FSAs, a 52 percent increase from the same time period in 2024. These reviews proactively identify and address potential food safety concerns.   

2. Equipping FSIS Inspectors with Updated Training and Tools  
This year, FSIS implemented a new weekly questionnaire for frontline inspectors to collect data on specific Listeria monocytogenes-related risk factors at all RTE establishments. This new tool collects important data to identify developing food safety concerns, allowing FSIS inspectors and their supervisors to take timely action to protect consumers. To date, approximately 53,000 weekly questionnaires with over 840,000 new data points have been collected on these risk factors.  

To complement this, FSIS continues to enhance its instructions and related training for inspectors to help them recognize and elevate problems with an establishment’s food safety system. New instructions aid inspectors in recognizing how to look beyond individual noncompliances and determine when an establishment has systemic problems that should be elevated and addressed. Since January, the agency also updated its Listeria-specific training and administered it to over 5,200 frontline inspection personnel. This training will strengthen inspectors’ understanding of the regulatory requirements in FSIS’ Listeria Rule and how to verify establishments have designed and implemented food safety systems that comply with those requirements.  

3. Charging Ahead to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses 
Secretary Rollins has charged FSIS to find a more effective and achievable approach to address Salmonella in poultry products. FSIS withdrew President Biden’s proposed Salmonella Framework in April in light of significant concerns raised by stakeholders about the regulatory burden and costly impacts it would have had on small poultry growers and processors. The Trump administration is pursuing a new, common-sense strategy on Salmonella to protect public health while preventing unnecessary regulatory overreach, which will begin by convening listening sessions with key stakeholders to collaborate on best approaches moving forward.  

4. Strengthening State Partnerships 
States are crucial partners in ensuring a safe and strong food supply and provide a vital service in bringing nutritious, affordable American food products to dinner tables across the country. In May, Secretary Rollins announced an additional $14.5 million in funding to reimburse states for their meat and poultry inspection programs and called on Congress to more sustainably fund these critical programs moving forward. This funding is needed to support more than 1,500 American businesses that rely on state inspection, including small and very small meat and poultry processors. The Secretary also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture in May to improve collaboration between USDA and states moving forward. 

Additionally, this year, FSIS signed updated, comprehensive cooperative agreements with all 29 states that operate state meat and poultry programs. These agreements clarify expectations for oversight and enforcement of food safety laws, provide comprehensive training for inspectors, and ensure regular coordination with FSIS. As part of its enhanced oversight of Talmadge-Aiken (TA) state cooperative programs, FSIS has completed in-person reviews at 77 percent (320 of 414) of TA establishments in the first six months of 2025.  

5. Empowering FSIS Inspectors to Take Action to Drive Compliance 
FSIS is exercising its enforcement authorities and issuing notices of intended enforcement or suspending operations at establishments to address recurring noncompliance and ensure safe food production. The agency has taken 103 enforcement actions in 2025 to protect consumers, an increase of 36 percent over the same period in 2024. Additionally, FSIS has instructed its field supervisors to conduct in-person, follow-up visits when systemic issues are identified during a Food Safety Assessment. Follow-up visits by FSIS field supervisors bolster oversight to ensure an establishment fully addresses issues identified during a Food Safety Assessment and could inform enforcement action by FSIS.  



Secretary Rollins Terminates COVID-era Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the termination of the Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) program. This pandemic-era, Biden program was created using one-time, temporary funding from Congress. The Department is terminating this program that should not have been established in this manner in the first place, but are doing so in a way to honor commitments made to farmers.

“The Biden Administration created multiple, massive programs without any long-term way to finance them. This is not sustainable for farmers who rely on these programs, and it flies in the face of Congressional intent,” said Secretary Rollins. “USDA will honor existing commitments for over 450 grants to farmers and food businesses to ensure planning decisions on the farm can continue as normal, however stakeholders should not plan on this program continuing. Any remaining funds will be repurposed to better support American agriculture.”

Out of the 12 RFBC’s, only 8 have selected or issued Business Builder grants. USDA will honor current and pending commitments to producers and food businesses through the Business Builder subaward program. Due to the broad scope of the program, and a long process of setting up partnerships and conducting work planning, a relatively small number of those Business Builder grants have been awarded to date. RFBC’s that have executed or announced Business Builder subawards will have the option to continue managing those existing commitments through May 2026. Centers that have not yet made Business Builder commitments will be terminated; these include the Great Lakes Midwest RFBC, Southeast RFBC, Delta RFBC, and Islands and Remote Areas RFBC.