June 28, 2026 to July 04, 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

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

Federal Government News

White House Suspends Duties on Morocco Phosphate Fertilizer Amid Domestic Supply Concerns

On June 29, President Trump issued a proclamation declaring an emergency affecting the availability of phosphate fertilizers critical for U.S. agriculture, including key crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. The action temporarily suspends certain anti-dumping and countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco for eight months or until the emergency ends. Citing global supply chain disruptions and insufficient domestic production, the measure is designed to ensure adequate supplies for U.S. farmers, safeguard national security, and stabilize domestic food production. The proclamation invokes Section 318 of the Tariff Act of 1930, directing the Secretaries of Treasury and Commerce to implement and monitor the policy, with periodic Congressional reporting. This step supersedes inconsistent prior proclamations and is part of a broader administration initiative to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing and support agricultural innovation. The order does not create enforceable rights against the United States.

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

USDA Issues Final Rule for Regenerative Agricultural Biofuel Feedstock Production

The Department of Agriculture finalized technical guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the carbon intensity of biofuel feedstock commodity crops under 7 CFR Part 2100. Effective July 29, 2026, the rule revises interim guidelines from January 2025, introducing region-specific calculations using the USDA Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (FD-CIC). The final rule expands covered feedstocks to include field corn, soybeans, sorghum, and spring canola, and streamlines recordkeeping requirements for field-level management, nitrogen application, and low-carbon practices such as reduced till, no-till, and cover cropping. A revised nutrient management approach enables producers to supply actual nitrogen usage and yields. Verification and audit standards have been updated to require third-party certifiers and compliance with ISO 14065. The rule also prohibits double-counting sustainability attributes across different programs. Implementation documentation and supporting analyses are available online.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Seeks Input on Alternatives to Conventional Crop Desiccation Chemicals

The Environmental Protection Agency on July 2 issued a Request for Information regarding an Innovation Challenge to identify practical alternatives to synthetic pesticide chemicals used for crop desiccation. Stakeholders are invited to comment on barriers, program design, and funding structure for the initiative, which aims to support non-conventional, mechanical, biological, and precision agriculture solutions. The $30 million prize fund may be distributed through ideation and pilot phases, with input due by September 30, 2026 via regulations.gov. The RFI seeks suggestions on priority crops, regions, partnership opportunities, and evaluation criteria for the challenge.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Issues Updated Tolerances for Epyrifenacil in Key Commodity Crops

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule on June 30 setting residue tolerances for the herbicide epyrifenacil in field corn, soybeans, wheat, and rapeseed at 0.005 ppm. The decision follows a review of Valent's petition and harmonizes standards with anticipated Canadian registrations. The rule includes assessment of toxicological data for various population subgroups, confirms the substance is not likely to be carcinogenic below injury-inducing doses, and details requirements for enforcement methodologies. Effective June 30, 2026, the rule is exempt from certain reviews under Executive Order 12866 and provides compliance procedures for producers handling these crops.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Advances Information Collections on Dairy Processing, Livestock, and Mediation

The Agriculture Department, through its Agricultural Marketing Service, issued notices for extension and revision of information collections affecting the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program and the Requirements Governing Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products. The changes support program monitoring, administration, and sanitary evaluation of equipment. The Farm Service Agency also requested input on revisions for the Certified Mediation Program, involving annual reports and certifications from eligible state and non-profit grantees. Public comments are invited on the proposed information collection efficiencies and estimated burdens.

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

Legislative Updates

Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

Bill 629, known as the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025, was presented to the President after Senate action. The bill focuses on revisions to support agricultural and food-related emergency conservation efforts.

Sources: www.congress.gov

New House Bill Proposes Produce Allowance Pilot Program

Bill 9581 was introduced in the House to establish a Department of Agriculture pilot program granting monthly payments to certain households for produce purchases, also authorizing a related study. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Measure to Clarify Conservation Reserve Program Eligibility Introduced in House

Bill 9572 was introduced to amend the Food Security Act of 1985, specifically to clarify land eligibility for the Conservation Reserve Program. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

People Over Poison Act Moves to House Agriculture Committee

Bill 9528, the People Over Poison Act, was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. The content addresses pesticide and chemical safety concerns in the agricultural sector.

Sources: www.congress.gov

House Bill Seeks Integrity in U.S. Honey Market

Bill 1411 provides for consideration of H.R. 2162, which proposes measures to protect the integrity of honey sold in the United States. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• A $55 Billion Safety Net? Government Tab to Prop Up American Farms Is Rising: Analysis of rising federal expenditures to support U.S. farms and evolving safety net programs.
• Exclusive | USDA Plans to Pay Smaller Meatpackers to Keep Slaughtering Cattle: The USDA is moving to subsidize smaller meat processors to maintain national beef processing capacity.
• The Pursuit of Hungriness: 250 Years of American Food Innovation: Traces developments in American food systems over two and a half centuries.
• Tribes hope Farm Bill can feed more people and preserve Indigenous culture: Coverage of efforts by Tribal nations to shape farm policy for food security and cultural preservation.
• DP World and MRS Logística Launch New Multimodal Agri-Export Corridor in Brazil: Announcement of a new logistics partnership expected to improve Brazil’s agricultural export infrastructure.
• Opinion | A Virginia Farm’s Lesson for America at 250: Reflects on American agriculture’s legacy as the nation marks its 250th anniversary.
• Indigenous food producer hopes Farm Bill will restore programs: Features an indigenous producer’s perspective on pending Farm Bill changes and nutrition initiatives.
• Sustainable Business: A snapshot of strategies and trends in U.S. sustainable business practice.

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