Crop insurance with high subsidy (now 80%) – high coverage area add-up insurance, specifically ECO (Enhanced Coverage Option) and SCO (Supplemental Coverage Option), has the potential to notably impact crop…

The Supplemental and Enhanced Coverage Option (SCO and ECO) insurance programs are receiving increased attention this year due, in large part, to the significant increase in subsidy rates. Prior analysis…

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has expanded Beijing’s economic presence in Africa through infrastructure and related investments. The US, by contrast, is at an inflection point in its trade policy with Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act was reauthorized only through the end of 2026, and the Trump administration has indicated that any successor arrangement would place greater emphasis on expanding market access for U.S. businesses, farmers, and ranchers.

Given the large difference in prices received and projected net return prospects, it is not surprising to find a large difference in producer sentiment between crop and livestock producers. In contrast to producer sentiment, farm growth and transition plans are similar among crop and livestock producers. Approximately 50% of respondents plan to grow in the next five years, and approximately 36% of respondents plan to bring another family member into the business in the next five years.

We use results from the most recent wave of the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey to assess perceptions of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The majority of participants agreed that following the recommendations was important to the health of their household, with strongest support for the recommendation to “eat vegetables and fruits throughout the day.” We also find that most participants indicated following the recommendations was both realistic and affordable for their household.

The U.S. ethanol industry delivered another strong year of profitability in 2025. Net returns for a representative Iowa plant averaged $0.21 per gallon, well above the long-run average of $0.13 per gallon since 2007. On an annual basis, nominal profits of $23.2 million marked the sixth consecutive year in positive territory and the sixth year since 2007 with profits exceeding $20 million. Given the headwinds facing the industry at the start of 2025, this is a genuinely impressive result.