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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Agriculture Committee: Hearings on Increasing Domestic Consumption: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will hold a hearing on increasing domestic consumption of US-grown agricultural products, scheduled for March 10, 2026, at 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Federal Government News

Pioneer Hi-Bred International Request: Extension of Nonregulated Status for Genetically Engineered Maize

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a request from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. to extend the nonregulated status previously granted to DP23211 maize to DP51291 maize, which was genetically engineered for insect resistance and glufosinate tolerance. Documentation—including the extension request, plant pest risk similarity assessment, and preliminary determination—is available for public review and comment until April 6, 2026. Both DP23211 and DP51291 maize express the IPD072Aa protein for corn rootworm control and phosphinothricin acetyltransferase for herbicide tolerance. APHIS has determined DP51291 maize is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk and proposes approval pending public input. If affirmed, DP51291 would not be regulated under 7 CFR part 340 and will be listed on the APHIS website as nonregulated.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program: Information Collection Request Approved

The Commodity Credit Corporation final rule on Farmer Bridge Assistance was published on February 23, 2026, and the corresponding information collection request was approved by OMB on February 26 with control number 0503-0028 (expires 10/31/2027). The FBA Program application will use the CCC-555 form, which is pre-filled based on acreage data previously reported to FSA on FSA-578. Other forms used include CCC-901, CCC-902E/I, CCC-941, and AD-1026. The annual burden hours for this collection total 197,921. This approval enables FSA to process payment applications for eligible commodity producers, supporting industry participation in federal assistance programs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

African Swine Fever: Sri Lanka Added to Restricted Regions

APHIS officially added Sri Lanka to the list of regions affected by African swine fever (ASF), effective December 4, 2024. The action follows confirmation of an ASF outbreak and media reports in October 2024. This designation triggers import restrictions for pork and pork products from Sri Lanka, including requirements for processing or treatment according to APHIS regulations or consignment to APHIS-approved establishments. Swine casings from Sri Lanka are also subject to enhanced restrictions. Affected region lists are maintained on the APHIS website under 9 CFR part 94. This measure aims to reduce disease entry risks in US pig and pork supply chains.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Receives Petition for Safe Use of Chromium Propionate in Poultry Feed

Kemin Industries, Inc. filed a food additive petition (FAP 2325) with the FDA for the safe use of chromium propionate as a chromium source in food for layer and breeding chickens. The petition was filed February 7, 2026, and includes an environmental assessment, open for public comment until April 3, 2026. If the FDA finds no significant environmental impact and approves the petition, it will update relevant regulations. Submission instructions are provided for electronic and written comments. This potential change could impact feed formulations for poultry production and layer health.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Farm Credit Administration: Effective Date for Regulatory Updates

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) announced the effective date of its final rule amending 12 CFR parts 611, 614, 620, 626, 628, and 630. The regulation, published January 26, 2026, corrects citations and makes technical updates across FCA regulations. The rule took effect February 25, 2026. These changes impact organization, loan policies and operations, disclosure requirements, nondiscrimination in lending, capital adequacy, and investor disclosures for system institutions under FCA oversight.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Where Corn and Soybeans Rule, the ‘Oat Mafia’ Fights for Turf: Midwest oat growers take steps to maintain market presence amidst dominance of corn and soybeans.
• Gulf food strategy tested as Iran war snarls shipping routes: Iran conflict disrupts Gulf food supply chains with impacts on agricultural imports.
• Tariffs and global trade: Global tariff adjustments affect agricultural trade routes and commodity pricing.
• Farmers see fertiliser price surge as Iran war blocks exports, threatening losses: Iran conflict restricts fertilizer exports to Asia, increasing prices ahead of planting season.

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