May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026

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.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Agri-Food? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Agri-Food - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Agriculture Committee—USDA Oversight Hearing (June 10, 2026): The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee is holding an oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture on June 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Dirksen G50.
• House Agriculture Committee—USMCA Future Hearing (June 10, 2026): The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing titled "Agricultural Perspectives on the Future of the USMCA" on June 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Longworth 1300.
• Senate Ag Committee—Business Meeting to Consider Glen Smith Nomination (June 8, 2026): The Senate Agriculture Committee will meet on June 8, 2026, at 4:00 a.m. to consider Glen Smith’s nomination for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources—Business Meeting, Land and Water Bills (June 10, 2026): Senate Energy and Natural Resources holds a business meeting to consider a range of land, conservation, and water bills on June 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Dirksen 366.

Federal Government News

USDA Revises Payment Limitation and Eligibility Regulations

The Commodity Credit Corporation published a final rule on June 2, 2026, implementing statutory changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) to payment limitation and payment eligibility regulations. The rule extends the 'pass-through entity' designation to partnerships, S corporations, and certain LLCs, allowing each member to qualify for an individual payment cap when actively engaged in farming. It raises the overall payment limit for these structures and adds an exception to the $900,000 adjusted gross income (AGI) limit for recipients whose gross income is at least 75% from agriculture, applicable to certain disaster and conservation programs. The regulation also makes administrative clarifications and will apply for the 2026 program year and beyond.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Executive Order: Strengthening U.S. Customs Enforcement

On June 3, 2026, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at tightening customs enforcement to address systemic inefficiencies and evasion in import processes. The order institutes new eligibility requirements for importers of record, mandates tangible domestic assets or higher bonds, and enhances asset disclosure obligations. Foreign importers face additional restrictions such as a prohibition on filing informal entries and stricter entry standards. Agencies are directed to improve vetting, registry accuracy, and enforcement—especially related to origin misclassification and forced labor concerns—while increasing transparency and recommending legislative changes.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USDA Delays Poultry Grower Payment Systems Rule

The Agricultural Marketing Service has delayed the effective date of the "Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems" final rule from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, as announced on June 1, 2026. The delay, in response to Congressional direction and industry comments, allows further review of costs, legal, and policy concerns regarding grower compensation schemes and documentation requirements for live poultry dealers. AMS will continue enforcement against unfair practices during the interim.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA: Privacy Act Revision for Agricultural Foreign Investment Records

On June 4, 2026, USDA published a revision to its Privacy Act system of records (USDA/FSA-2), expanding coverage to include foreign persons under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). The update adds AFIDA program activities, categories of covered individuals, and specifies new routine uses—including sharing information with Congress and federal agencies addressing agriculture or national security. The revision reflects growing interest in foreign holdings of U.S. agricultural land.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRCS Seeks Comments on Conservation Practice Standards Revisions

The Natural Resources Conservation Service issued a notice on June 5, 2026, requesting public input on proposed revisions to conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices. Updates address a wide range of practices, including alley cropping, amendments for waste treatment, livestock pipeline, water well, and energy-efficient operations. The public comment period closes July 6, 2026, and proposed documents are available online.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Rural Grants Transparency Act (H.R. 9101)

The Rural Grants Transparency Act was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. The bill addresses federal grants transparency in rural areas.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to reauthorize the specialty crop research initiative and establish a specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development program, and for other purposes. (S. 4652)

This Senate bill seeks to reauthorize the specialty crop research initiative and establish a mechanization/automation R&D program. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A resolution supporting the designation of May 29, 2026, as 'Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day' (S. Res. 727)

A resolution designating May 29 as 'Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day' was agreed to without amendment in the Senate. It aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness in agriculture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to expand agricultural market access (S. 4654)

This Senate bill proposes expanded agricultural market access through amendments to the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to increase access to Federal crop insurance for specialty crops (S. 4651)

The bill, introduced in the Senate, would increase specialty crop access to federal crop insurance. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Screwworm Flies and Drought Spell Tougher Times for Cattle Ranchers: Persistent drought and pest pressures are challenging U.S. cattle ranchers, with new costs linked to screwworm fly outbreaks.
• American Farms Rely More Than Ever on the Troubled H-2A Visa Program: U.S. farms are increasingly dependent on H-2A visa workers amid continued labor shortages and visa program complications.
• ‘Super’ El Nino could trigger a global food price shock. Here’s how companies can prevent the next crisis: Experts warn that an intense El Niño event could spark significant food price volatility worldwide.
• These Farmers Were Considered ‘Fringe.’ Now They’re Advising Trump’s Team.: A group of unconventional agriculture stakeholders has gained new influence in shaping U.S. policy discussions.
• Chinese meat traders roll out Brazil’s first deforestation-free beef certification: Chinese firms introduce Brazil’s deforestation-free beef certification, targeting sustainability-conscious consumers.
• Analysis: Could Hormuz be the crisis that finally makes the world rethink farming?: Tensions near the Strait of Hormuz raise new questions about global food and farming vulnerability.
• Focus: Wheat, trash, and sweet potatoes: Brazilian ethanol is a smorgasbord of raw materials: Brazil’s ethanol producers expand into alternative feedstocks, diversifying the sector’s raw input base.
• MAHA secured a big pesticide win. What’s next?: The Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Alliance achieves a significant win on pesticide regulation, and prepares for further advocacy.
• Opinion | Trump betrayed farmers. Now real signs of anger show.: Some farm groups express growing dissatisfaction with recent federal trade policies affecting agriculture.

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