Ohio lawmakers have passed legislation establishing a 90-day suspension of the state’s gas tax, sending the measure to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. The temporary tax holiday aims to provide immediate financial relief to farmers, motorists, and agricultural transporters across the state as fuel costs remain elevated.
“As farmers harvest crops and transport cattle to market, high fuel prices increase operating costs and place additional economic pressure on already shrinking bottom lines,” said Lindsey Hall, president of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association
The bill passed the Ohio General Assembly with bipartisan backing following widespread calls for relief. State leaders estimate the average driver will save approximately $80 at the pump over the three-month period. For Ohio’s agricultural community, where fall field operations, harvest transport, and heavy machinery operations require heavy diesel and fuel use, the savings are expected to be substantial.
“Ohio farmers are navigating a difficult farm economy, and high fuel prices add another major expense when farm margins are already stretched thin.… Continue reading
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, back from a three-month health absence, cast the winning Ag Committee vote to send the Senate farm bill that Democrats blocked in August to the full chamber. McConnell, true to his word to help pass a farm bill, cast the 12th GOP vote needed to advance the Senate farm bill. Committee approval was a victory for Chair John Boozman despite a last-minute fight over a GOP amendment to reform livestock production standards to deal with California’s Prop 12.
“It’s been almost a decade since Congress last passed a farm bill,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “In the past 10 years, more than 200,000 family farms have gone out of business, as farmers grappled with a pandemic, global unrest, rising expenses and falling prices paid for the food they grow. A new, modernized farm bill will help give farmers the tools they need to survive continued and unforeseen challenges ahead.… Continue reading
The following is a press release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has suspended grain handling operations at United Equity, Inc., located at 104 S. Main St., Delphos, Ohio, with branch locations in Spencerville and Celina, after a department audit confirmed a financial shortfall. The company’s grain handler’s license has been suspended to prevent more outstanding obligations from being incurred and to facilitate a possible remedy via the Grain Indemnity Fund.
If you believe you have outstanding grain obligations with United Equity, Inc. and have questions, please call ODA at 614-728-6410. Ohio’s Grain Indemnity Fund was created in 1983 to reimburse farmers when a licensed handler becomes insolvent. Claims to the indemnity fund are handled through ODA’s Grain Feed & Seed Section in conjunction with the recommendation of the Ohio Commodity Advisory Commission.
Ohio Revised Code gives priority to the automatic lien established and held by the department for the benefit of farmers in the event of a grain handler’s failure or insolvency.… Continue reading
President Donald Trump’s plan to temporarily increase beef imports to lower prices for American consumers is drawing strong opposition from cattle producers and industry organizations, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef products for ground beef to be imported over the next 90 days without an out-of-quota tariff. Trump said the imported beef will be sold at 25% below current market prices.
“Today, I concluded a deal to substantially lower the price of ground beef for working American families,” Trump said. He blamed the Biden administration for rising beef prices and the U.S. cattle herd falling to its smallest size in modern history.
Trump said the increased imports are intended to lower prices for consumers while giving the U.S. cattle industry time to rebuild its herd
The announcement, however, was met with immediate criticism from cattle producers.… Continue reading
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry failed to advance a farm bill on Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal in a 10-11 vote, leaving the legislation without a clear path forward.
The committee did approve several amendments, including provisions to permanently move the Food for Peace program to USDA and allow hot rotisserie chicken purchases through SNAP, but the hangup among committee members was over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Democrats insisted on a two-year delay before states begin sharing SNAP benefit costs, while Republicans offered a one-year delay.
“We’re holding hostage the people that we’re charged to help,” said Committee Chairman John Boozman. “Again, this is not about SNAP recipients, this is about the states, with very, very high error rates. We’re holding hostage our farm community. When you take livestock out of it, this is one of the poorest industries right now in America.… Continue reading
Today’s report was expected to be boring with few changes. Traders and producers are already looking ahead to the June 30 USDA Acres Report and Quarterly Grain Stock Report. If the corn grain stocks are below trade expectations, it will raise further hints that the January 2026 report, which detailed the US 2025 corn yield at 186.3 bushels, could indeed be too high.
I surmise that the market is somewhat negative for corn and soybeans solely because the numbers did not present a bullish case.
After the report was released, corn was down 3 cents, soybeans were down 6 cents, and wheat was unchanged. Prior to the noon report, corn was down 1 cent, soybeans down 4 cents, and wheat up 1 cent.
U.S. ending stocks for the 2025-26 marketing year are 2.145 billion bushels. In May, corn ending stocks were 2.142 billion bushels. U.S. soybean and wheat ending stocks were unchanged from May, at 340 million bushels and 935 million bushels, respectively.… Continue reading
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed two additional cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States – a calf in La Salle County, Texas, and a dog in Andrews County, Texas.
Epidemiological investigations are ongoing for both cases. A veterinarian in Andrews County submitted the samples from the infested dog. Details on this case will be shared as they are available, but early reports indicate the dog was recently in Mexico.
NWS is a serious pest that threatens livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, people. The larvae burrow into the living tissue of animals, causing severe wounds, animal suffering, and significant economic losses.
“Over the past week, USDA has identified and expeditiously confronted four confirmed detections of New World screwworm. While we address these instances that require immediate attention, and continue to sample suspected cases, we are simultaneously working to eradicate the pest entirely,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “We need the partnership of animal owners across the region – please stay vigilant, check your animals closely, and report anything that looks suspicious.… Continue reading
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.
The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.
“All models showed New World Screwworm entering the country in 2025; however, thanks to the hard work across the entire Trump administration and our industry, state, and local partners, we were able to buy time for this moment. Protecting our livestock industry is a national security issue of the utmost importance, and USDA is wasting no time in taking action,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.… Continue reading
In a historic, bipartisan vote, legislation allowing nationwide, year-round sales of E15 passed the U.S. House of Representatives and moves to the U.S. Senate for approval.
H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, removes outdated regulatory barriers that have restricted summertime sales of E15, also known as Unleaded 88, in many parts of the country.
The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association thanked the members of Ohio’s congressional delegation from both parties who supported the bill.
“Ohio farmers have pushed for this for years, and today’s vote is proof that Congress understands what is at stake,” said Eric Tipton, president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. “We thank the Republicans and Democrats in Ohio’s congressional delegation who stood with farmers and helped move year-round E15 one step closer to reality.”
E15 contains 15% ethanol and is approved for use in cars and light-duty trucks 2001 and newer, representing more than 96% of vehicles on the road today.… Continue reading
The Ohio agricultural community is saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of an industry legend this week.
Paul Detwiler, 60, of Union County, died Sunday in a tractor rollover accident.
Detwiler was the longtime general manager of the STgenetics Ohio Heifer Center and was widely respected across the dairy industry for his decades of work advancing cattle genetics and supporting dairy producers and students alike. Earlier this spring, he was inducted into The Ohio State University Dairy Science Hall of Service for his efforts furthering the dairy industry and mentoring the next generation of agricultural leaders.
His wife, Shelly Detwiler, is the longtime food columnist for Ohio’s Country Journal, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Detwiler family and all those impacted by this loss.
Memorial services for Paul will be held at Northwest Presbyterian Church, 6400 Post Road in Dublin. Visitation will be Thursday, May 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.,… Continue reading
Seed Consultants announced via social media on May 7 that they are changing to the Hoegemeyer® brand. Corteva Agriscience is unifying its regionally focused seed brands, including Seed Consultants, under the Hoegemeyer® brand name for the 2027 planting season.
The post went on to say: “Customers can expect a continued commitment to local products built for their growing conditions, backed with personalized support through our local seed dealer network.”
Hoegemeyer® was previously named the regional seed brand of the Western Corn Belt for Corteva Agriscience in 2018. Hoegemeyer was founded in 1937 by H. Chris Hoegemeyer and his son Leonard C., in Hooper, Nebraska. Learn more at www.hoegemeyer.com.
Ohio Ag Net Student FFA Reporter Lydia Fuchs sits down with National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Joey Nowotny regarding his visit to the 98th Ohio FFA Convention. The two discuss Joey’s many travels and experiences from FFA across the country, including unique projects he’s seen.… Continue reading
At the 2026 Ohio FFA Convention on April 30, four FFA members were recognized for being Star State FFA Degree recipients.
Connor Eckstein of the Ridgemont FFA was named the Star State in Agriscience. The other finalists in the category were Hailey Wendling of the Felicity-Franklin FFA chapter.
Masen Joliff of the Ridgemont FFA was named the Star State in Agribusiness. The other finalists in the category were Kiley Hahn of Ridgewood FFA, Abby Crum of West Muskingum FFA, and Wyatt Black of Miami East-MVCTC FFA.
Lincoln Winner of Versailles FFA was named the Star State in Agricultural Placement. Other finalists included Ty Worthington of Fort Frye FFA, Abby Crum of West Muskingum FFA, and Jonathan Cromer of Ridgemont FFA.
Marin Argabright of the Anna FFA was named the Star State Farmer. Other finalists included Abby Crum of West Muskingum FFA, Ava Genter of Pettisville FFA, and Eden Myers of the Felicity-Franklin FFA.… Continue reading
On Thursday, April 30, the House passed the 2026 Farm Bill with a close bipartisan vote of 224 – 200. This is the first time a farm bill has been passed out of the House since 2018.
After a long debate over pesticide policies and E15, the House on Thursday voted to strip pro-pesticide policies from the farm bill.
The amendment to take the provisions out of the farm bill, which sets the nation’s agriculture policy for five years, was adopted in a 280-142 vote.
One controversial measure the amendment addressed would have made it harder for Americans to sue pesticide makers, preventing states and courts from penalizing the companies for failing to include warnings on their labels about health effects that go beyond those formally recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
An amendment for year-round E15 sales was also stripped from the farm bill, but the measure will be voted on separately at a later time.… Continue reading
Late Wednesday night, the House Committee on Agriculture voted 34-17 to advance a new farm bill following nearly three days of markup. The legislation was approved by all Republican members of the committee along with seven Democrats.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., released a statement after the committee approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
“Today, my colleagues at the House Committee on Agriculture stepped up for farm country and passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee,” Thompson said. “I am proud of this bill, as well as the work that’s been done to improve it during the last two days.”
“After a markup that lasted over 20 hours, the legislation reflects the will of the committee, and it is filled with bipartisan provisions that will move the needle for farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans across the country,” he said.… Continue reading
In a 6-3 decision issued Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump does not have the legal authority to impose tariffs through executive orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The administration had used IEEPA to justify sweeping tariffs, arguing that trade deficits and related economic concerns constituted a national emergency. However, the court’s majority determined that the Constitution grants Congress — not the executive branch — the power to impose taxes, which include tariffs.
“The Framers did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.
In dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote, “The tariffs at issue here may or may not be wise policy. But as a matter of text, history, and precedent, they are clearly lawful.”
The ruling immediately drew reaction from agricultural leaders and organizations, many of whom have said tariffs have significantly affected farmers through higher input costs and lost export markets.… Continue reading
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