This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, ranchers and their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

USDA APHIS Deregulates MON 95275 Maize for Corn Rootworm Resistance

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has conferred nonregulated status to Bayer CropScience’s MON 95275 maize, which was genetically engineered to express two insecticidal proteins and a double-stranded RNA transcript for resistance to corn rootworm. The decision follows APHIS’s assessment of the plant pest risk and consideration of public comments, with concerns noted on potential carbon dioxide emissions. The federal determination, effective March 19, 2026, enables commercialization without APHIS regulatory oversight under 7 CFR part 340. Relevant documentation, including the Plant Pest Risk Assessment and responses to public feedback, are available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal and direct APHIS contact.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Emergency Exemption and Registration Application for NovoFly GE Screwworm Pesticide

USDA has submitted to EPA both a Section 18 emergency quarantine exemption and a Section 3 product registration for NovoFly, a pesticide utilizing genetically engineered male-only New World Screwworms. The application aims to suppress NWS pest populations, which can inflict severe losses on livestock, wildlife, and humans, with USDA estimating an outbreak in Texas could cost $1.8 billion. NovoFly males are sterilized by irradiation and released via aircraft or ground chambers where NWS detection occurs. The active ingredients, Lshid\Ala2\ and tTAo, produce lethal proteins for female embryos. USDA’s Sterile Insect Technique integrates surveillance, movement restriction, and outreach. EPA is waiving the comment period for the emergency exemption but invites public comment on the Section 3 registration through April 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Proposed Rule to Amend Organic Regulations for Crops and Livestock

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a proposed rule amending organic regulations for crop and livestock production, incorporating recent recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board. Proposed changes include permitting carbon dioxide in organic crop production and meloxicam for pain mitigation in organic livestock. The rule also seeks to remove restrictions on synthetic methionine in poultry feed and reaffirms sodium nitrate use, with specified limits for crop fertilization. The notice outlines justification, regulatory authority, and invitations for stakeholder comment on annotation clarity, impact on regulatory compliance, and alternatives. Comments are due by May 22, 2026; background documents and meeting transcripts are available on AMS and regulations.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Issues National Agriculture Day Proclamation

President Donald J. Trump designated March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day, acknowledging the enduring contributions of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers to American society. The proclamation cites significant federal investments in soil health, water quality, and food system resilience, as well as over $40 billion in assistance to mitigate previous trade and policy impacts. Trump encourages public recognition of agriculture in the national economy and rural life. The full proclamation has been published via White House and Federal Register channels.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.federalregister.gov

FSIS Advance Notice on Revising Establishment Size Definitions

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service posted an advance notice inviting stakeholder input about revising establishment size definitions used in oversight of meat, poultry, and egg product facilities. The longstanding HACCP size categories, based on employee count and annual sales, may be supplemented or altered with new volume-based thresholds or business metrics. The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection recommended applying both production volume and business size for regulatory analysis and eligibility for federal services. Public comments providing industry impact, alternative categorization metrics, and data sources are requested by May 26, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 4215: Amendment to Federal Crop Insurance Act to Reduce Spending

Bill 4215 seeks to modify the Federal Crop Insurance Act with proposed reductions in federal spending on crop insurance. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8104: Mandatory Price Reporting Program for Fertilizer

Bill 8104 would institute mandatory price reporting for fertilizer under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4168: Research on Livestock Industry Consolidation and Concentration

Bill 4168 directs the Economic Research Service Administrator to conduct research into consolidation and concentration in the livestock sector. Latest action: Read twice and referred to relevant Senate committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4192: Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act Amendments with Geospatial Data Reporting

Bill 4192 proposes amendments to the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978, requiring inclusion of geospatial data in reporting. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4236: Expanding USDA Loans and Grants to Fishing and Mariculture Businesses

Bill 4236 amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to broaden eligibility for USDA loans and grants to fishing and mariculture enterprises. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Global Food Supply Faces a Dangerous Bottleneck as Iran War Persists: The ongoing conflict in Iran is causing widespread fertilizer shortages and affecting global food supply chains.
• The war in Iran sparks a global fertilizer shortage and threatens food prices: Iran’s war disrupts fertilizer exports, posing risks for farming and food prices globally.
• Aftrak’s solar-powered micro electric tractors bring light to farmers in Malawi: Solar-powered micro electric tractors expand agricultural capabilities for smallholder farmers in Malawi.
• WP Daily: U.S. farmers suggest fertilizer export restrictions: U.S. farmers propose fertilizer export curbs amidst tightening supplies.

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