Editor’s Note
Welcome to another edition of Ag Notes Weekly.
This week, we’re exploring developments in agricultural production, the economic conditions affecting farmers, and efforts to protect the health of livestock and our agricultural communities.
Across the country, we’ll also look at new research, regional developments, and the people and organizations working to strengthen agriculture through education, conservation, and community involvement.
From national decisions to local initiatives, there’s plenty to discover, understand, and consider.
Wherever you’re joining us from, we’re glad you’re here.
Thank you for reading.
USDA Corrects Corn Production Estimates After Discovering Calculation Error
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has corrected previously published corn production estimates after discovering a processing error affecting figures for Kansas, Nebraska, and the country as a whole.
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The correction was announced October 23 by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), following concerns raised about differences between its September and October crop reports.
NASS is responsible for collecting and publishing agricultural statistics, including estimates of how much corn, wheat, soybeans, and other crops American farmers are producing.
These reports help farmers, agricultural businesses, and market participants understand production conditions and make decisions.
What went wrong?
The error involved how USDA combined information from irrigated and non-irrigated cornfields.
Irrigated fields receive additional water through farming systems such as sprinklers or canals, while non-irrigated fields depend primarily on rainfall.
When calculating September’s corn estimates, USDA used incorrect acreage weights to combine observations from these two types of fields in Kansas and Nebraska.
Acreage weights help account for how much farmland each set of observations represents. Using incorrect weights can cause the final estimate to give too much or too little influence to certain fields.
The mistake affected estimates of corn plant populations, ear counts, and crop yields.
Crop yield describes how much of a crop is produced from a given area of farmland. Corn yields are commonly measured in bushels per acre, with a bushel representing a standard measure of harvested grain.
What changed?
USDA’s corrected figures show a slightly different picture of September corn production.
Nebraska’s estimated corn yield increased from 177 to 182 bushels per acre. Kansas’s estimate was revised downward.
The national estimate increased from 178.5 to 178.8 bushels per acre.
Although the national change was relatively small, the correction matters because production estimates influence expectations about how much corn will be available.
USDA also reviewed its October estimates and confirmed that those figures remain unchanged.
Why does this matter?
Reliable agricultural statistics are important to decisions made throughout the food and farming economy.
Farmers use crop estimates when evaluating markets and deciding when to sell their products. Agricultural businesses, buyers, and other market participants also rely on production forecasts when planning purchases and managing supplies.
Incorrect information can create uncertainty, even when the resulting numerical changes appear small.
Following the correction, USDA announced plans to strengthen its quality-control procedures, including additional checks before future estimates are published.
The situation highlights both the importance of accurate agricultural reporting and the value of reviewing and correcting information when problems are discovered.
Sources:
New World Screwworm Confirmed in Arizona as Officials Expand Response
Federal and state agriculture officials confirmed Arizona’s first case of New World screwworm on October 28, prompting additional monitoring and containment efforts to protect livestock, pets, and wildlife.
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The case was discovered in Cochise County, where a veterinarian examined a dog with an infested wound on October 26. Laboratory testing later confirmed the presence of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of animals.
The affected dog is receiving veterinary care, and officials are working with the animal’s owner to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.
What is New World screwworm?
New World screwworm is a parasitic insect that can cause serious injuries to warm-blooded animals. Adult flies lay eggs in open wounds or other vulnerable areas of an animal’s body. When the eggs hatch, the larvae, commonly called maggots, feed on living tissue.
Infestations can worsen quickly if left untreated, making early detection and veterinary care especially important.
The pest was eliminated from the United States decades ago, but new cases have been confirmed this year in Texas and New Mexico, followed by Arizona.
How are officials responding?
USDA and Arizona animal-health officials are working together to monitor the affected area and prevent further spread.
Their response includes establishing a 20-kilometer zone around the detection, implementing animal movement controls, increasing inspections and surveillance, and releasing sterile flies.
Sterile flies are insects that have been made unable to reproduce. When released into an affected area, they can mate with wild flies without producing offspring, helping reduce the population over time.
Officials are also providing information to livestock owners, veterinarians, and nearby communities about identifying and reporting suspected infestations. Animal owners in affected areas are encouraged to regularly inspect their animals for unusual wounds, swelling, visible larvae, or signs of discomfort and to contact a veterinarian if they suspect an infestation.
Why does this matter?
Protecting animal health is an important part of maintaining agricultural production and stable livestock markets.
A serious pest can create additional expenses for farmers and ranchers through veterinary treatment, preventive measures, animal losses, and restrictions on livestock movement.
The detection is significant, but it does not mean that New World screwworm is widespread throughout Arizona. Officials have confirmed a specific case and are responding with measures intended to prevent the pest from becoming established.
The situation highlights the importance of agricultural monitoring, cooperation between animal-health agencies, and early action when new threats emerge.
Sources:
USDA — New World Screwworm Confirmed in Arizona, October 28, 2026
Arizona Department of Agriculture — First Confirmed Case in Cochise County, October 28, 2026
USDA Selects Eight Fertilizer Manufacturing Projects Representing $1.34 Billion in Proposed Investment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced eight fertilizer manufacturing projects on October 22, representing more than $1.34 billion in proposed investment to expand domestic production and improve fertilizer availability for American farmers.
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The projects were selected through USDA’s Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program. Together, they represent approximately $573 million in proposed federal funding, alongside private and other project investments.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the nation’s fertilizer supply, increase competition among manufacturers, and reduce dependence on imported agricultural materials.
Why does fertilizer production matter?
Fertilizers supply nutrients that plants need to grow and develop.
Three major nutrients used in agricultural fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These support different aspects of plant development, including leaf growth, root development, and overall plant health.
Farmers use fertilizers to help maintain productive growing conditions, but purchasing them can represent a substantial operating expense.
Fertilizer prices are influenced by several factors, including manufacturing costs, energy prices, international trade, transportation, and market competition. When those costs rise, farmers may face additional financial pressure even if the prices they receive for their crops remain unchanged.
What projects were selected?
USDA selected eight projects involving new fertilizer facilities and expansions of existing manufacturing operations across 16 states.
Examples include:
Iowa and six other states: TalusAg was selected for approximately $99.8 million in proposed federal funding to install 20 smaller-scale ammonia manufacturing units across 11 locations.
New Mexico: Intrepid Potash was selected for approximately $139 million toward a facility expected to produce 220,000 tons of potassium-based fertilizer annually.
California, Oregon, and Arizona: True Organic Products was selected for approximately $15.3 million to expand fertilizer manufacturing using agricultural byproducts.
Kansas and Indiana: Agriculture Project Holdco was selected for approximately $116.9 million toward facilities designed to convert dairy manure into liquid nitrogen fertilizer.
The projects would expand the production of fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur.
USDA estimates that the selected facilities could collectively support approximately 1.08 million tons of annual fertilizer production and capacity once operational.
Will fertilizer prices decrease?
USDA projects that additional domestic production could help reduce certain fertilizer prices, but those reductions have not yet occurred.
The department estimates that the proposed projects could eventually reduce nitrogen fertilizer prices by 4.4% and potash fertilizer prices by 5.3%.
Potash is a source of potassium used in fertilizers to support plant growth.
These figures are projections based on expected production increases, not guaranteed savings for farmers.
The projects must still progress through funding arrangements, construction, and other requirements before their expected manufacturing capacity becomes available. USDA officials have indicated that project completion is anticipated primarily in 2027 and 2028.
Looking ahead
Increasing fertilizer manufacturing capacity could provide farmers with more purchasing options and greater protection against supply disruptions.
However, the actual benefits will depend on whether the projects are completed as planned, how much fertilizer they produce, and how market conditions develop.
For farmers managing rising operating expenses, greater fertilizer availability could be a meaningful development. The coming years will show how much of the proposed investment translates into additional production and lower costs.
Sources:
USDA — Eight Fertilizer Manufacturing Projects Selected, October 22, 2026
Iowa Capital Dispatch — Domestic Fertilizer Production Investment, October 22, 2026
Around the Regions
Northeast — Maryland Offers New Incentives for Farm Conservation
Maryland is offering eligible farmers a $1,000-per-acre signing bonus to establish forest buffers on working farmland.
Announced October 28, the incentive is part of the state’s Conservation Buffer Initiative, which supports planting trees and grasses near streams, cropland, and pastures.
Forest buffers are planted areas that can help prevent soil erosion, filter runoff, and improve water quality. These practices can benefit nearby waterways while allowing agricultural activity to continue on surrounding land.
Farmers may also qualify for installation assistance and maintenance payments. Applications open November 1 and will be accepted through April 30, 2027, subject to available funding.
Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture — Conservation Buffer Initiative
Southeast — National Black Farmers Association Holds 36th Annual Conference
Black farmers, agricultural advocates, and industry representatives are gathering in Columbia, South Carolina, for the National Black Farmers Association’s 36th annual conference, October 29–November 1.
The conference focuses on challenges and opportunities affecting Black farmers, including access to farmland, agricultural financing, farm business management, and legal issues.
Educational sessions scheduled for October 30–31 include discussions on starting and expanding farm operations, understanding USDA programs, managing farm taxes, and protecting farmland from foreclosure.
The organization also plans conversations about agricultural technology, civil rights, and farmers’ health and well-being.
The gathering provides opportunities for farmers to exchange knowledge, access resources, and participate in ongoing discussions about their role and future in American agriculture.
Source: National Black Farmers Association — 2026 Conference Agenda
Midwest — Wisconsin Supports Food Access for Tribal Elders
Wisconsin is accepting applications for up to $1.5 million in grants to help provide food to Tribal elders while supporting agricultural producers and food processors.
The Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program connects food access with agricultural opportunity. Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for funding to purchase food from producers and distribute it to Tribal members at no cost.
The program emphasizes culturally appropriate foods and collaboration with Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations.
Participating Tribal Nations must have a meaningful role in decisions about the food distributed through their communities. At least 80% of each project’s budget must go toward purchasing food.
Applications for the 2027 funding period close November 4, 2026.
Southwest — Arizona Opens New Agricultural Water Research Facility
USDA opened a new research facility in Tucson, Arizona, on October 27 to study water management, soil erosion, and agricultural productivity in the Southwest.
The Southwest Watershed Research Center will bring together USDA and University of Arizona researchers to better understand how water moves through landscapes and how agricultural land responds to changing conditions.
The 15,650-square-foot facility includes laboratories, research equipment, and collaborative workspaces.
Researchers will use tools such as rainfall simulators, drones, and field measurements to study runoff, drought, vegetation, and soil conditions.
In regions where water availability is a major concern, this research could help farmers and ranchers make better-informed decisions about conserving water and managing their land.
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service — Southwest Watershed Research Center
Pacific Northwest — Washington Organization Expands Agroforestry Efforts
A nonprofit organization in western Washington is expanding efforts to help farmers integrate trees and other vegetation into agricultural landscapes.
Agroforestry Northwest recently received nearly half a million dollars in federal grants to support additional projects across the region.
Agroforestry combines trees or shrubs with crops, livestock, or other agricultural activities. Depending on the design, these practices can help protect soil, create wildlife habitat, and provide additional products for farmers to harvest or sell.
The organization works with farmers and conservation districts to establish demonstration sites and provide assistance with practices such as planting trees between crops and creating vegetated buffers near waterways.
Its work includes projects in Snohomish and Arlington, along with restoration efforts near regional rivers.
Source: Salish Current — Agroforestry Practices Spread in Northwest Washington
Appalachia — West Virginia Funding Supports Year-Round Agricultural Market
A $59,000 federal grant will help Braxton County, West Virginia, acquire property for a permanent, year-round market in downtown Sutton.
Announced October 28 as part of USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant Program, the project is intended to provide farmers, food entrepreneurs, and artisans with more opportunities to sell their products directly to customers.
The grant will also support an accessible launch for kayaks and canoes along the Elk River, connecting recreational visitors with local businesses.
Braxton County plans to contribute an additional $133,900 toward the project.
A permanent market could provide local producers with a more consistent place to reach customers beyond the traditional outdoor farmers market season.
Source: USDA Rural Development — West Virginia Rural Business Development Grants
Worth Noticing
Louisiana — Black Growers Explore Agricultural Research at Southern University
Thirty-eight participants from the Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners (BUGs) National Conference visited Southern University’s Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge on October 23.
The visit connected growers and educators with agricultural research they could bring back to their communities. Participants toured the university’s demonstration farm and research fields, learning about projects and practices being studied by the center’s agricultural team.
Among the visitors was Pamela James, a professor and leader of Life Source Systems in Buffalo, New York, who expressed interest in applying knowledge from the visit to her educational work.
The tour was part of the 2026 BUGs conference, held in New Orleans, bringing together farmers, gardeners, and agricultural advocates from across the country.
Source: Southern University Ag Center — BUGs Conference Participants Tour Demonstration Farm
New Mexico — Indigenous Communities Gather Around Native Seed Sovereignty
The Intertribal Gathering of Hope was scheduled for October 26–27 at Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico, bringing attention to traditional agriculture, Native plants, and the preservation of Indigenous seeds.
Organized by the Flower Hill Institute, the gathering was designed to bring together Tribal knowledge keepers, farmers, seed stewards, Elders, youth leaders, botanists, and community organizations.
A central focus was seed sovereignty: the ability of communities to preserve, grow, exchange, and make decisions about seeds important to their food systems and cultural traditions.
Through knowledge sharing and community connections, the gathering aimed to strengthen relationships between Indigenous agricultural practices, land stewardship, and future generations.
Source: Flower Hill Institute — Intertribal Gathering of Hope
Kentucky — Agricultural Students Receive Grants to Address Food Insecurity
Ten Kentucky FFA chapters have received a combined $15,000 to develop student-led projects improving food access in their communities.
Announced October 27, the Better Days Through Better Ways grants provide $1,500 to each participating chapter.
The projects include school and community gardens, poultry and egg production, hydroponic growing systems, composting, and community food distribution.
At Hopkinsville Middle School, students plan to grow vegetables for families through a community food box. South Warren FFA members will raise chickens to provide eggs and poultry, while students at Barren County High School will use hydroponics—growing plants in nutrient-rich water rather than soil—to produce vegetables for a school food initiative.
The projects demonstrate how agricultural education can connect classroom learning with practical community needs.
Source: Kentucky FFA Association — Ten Chapters Awarded $15,000 to Fight Food Insecurity
Nationwide — New Grant Fund Opens Opportunities for Young Farmers
The National Young Farmers Coalition opened applications October 28 for a new grant program supporting farmers and ranchers aged 40 and younger.
The Next Generation Farmer Fund plans to provide grants of $10,000 to $50,000 for projects improving soil health, water management, energy use, and biodiversity on working farms.
The initiative represents more than $1 million in planned support, combining financial assistance with technical guidance to help recipients carry out conservation projects.
The coalition particularly encourages applications from farmers of color, beginning farmers, veterans, small-scale producers, and other historically underserved agricultural communities.
Eligible applicants must be actively farming or ranching during the 2027 growing season. Applications close December 1, 2026.
Source: National Young Farmers Coalition — Next Generation Farmer Fund
In Closing
Thank you for spending a little of your week with us.
Agriculture is shaped by the knowledge we share, the challenges we face, and the people working to build stronger communities. Every week brings new opportunities to learn from one another and better understand the world around us.
We’re glad to explore those stories with you.
Until next Friday, take care.
— Ag Notes Weekly