AGP Executive Report

Animal Health Emergency: USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm case in the U.S. in decades, found in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, triggering quarantine and movement controls; Texas officials and neighboring states say the risk is mainly to livestock and pets, not the food supply, while Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller criticized USDA for moving too slowly. Pest Pressure in Crops: Philippines sugar producers warn red-striped soft scale insect is spreading farm-to-farm in Negros and Panay, urging large-scale preemptive action like aerial spraying. Trade & Food Security: India and the U.S. signaled renewed momentum on a trade pact after talks, while India also shipped its first sea consignment of ready-to-cook millet foods to New Zealand. Policy & Markets: USDA data shows grocery prices up 0.7% in a month and 2.9% year over year, and NGFA backs CFTC changes to improve futures market transparency. Land, Climate, Biodiversity: A new global analysis links better land use and management to gains for biodiversity, climate mitigation, and farm incomes. Aquaculture Cooperation: Uzbekistan and South Korea launch a new phase of aquaculture collaboration, including training and technology sharing.

Biochar at Industrial Scale (India): Jain Irrigation Systems commissioned a ~20,000-ton-per-year biochar facility in Jalgaon, turning crop and fruit-processing residues into durable carbon while boosting soil health. Livestock Health & AMR (FAO): FAO warns antimicrobial resistance is a long-term threat to food security, projecting livestock antimicrobial use could rise ~30% by 2040 without action. Pulse Breeding Boost (Australia): A new $9.5m faba bean breeding program aims to raise yield, disease resistance, and quality as the crop expands. Pest Pressure (Australia): Agriculture Victoria urges north-west Victoria farmers to report locust activity as adult numbers run above normal and egg-laying sites are being targeted. Food Safety & Trade (Egypt): Egypt’s orange exports are growing, but EU scrutiny is rising after pesticide-residue rejections. Cattle Biosecurity (US): USDA opened a new livestock insects lab in Texas to tackle invasive fly and tick threats. Drought Relief (US): USDA declared emergency drought conditions in parts of New Mexico and Colorado, unlocking farm loans for affected producers. Fertilizer Cost Strain (US): South Carolina’s agriculture commissioner primary spotlights fertilizer and diesel price spikes squeezing margins. Agritech & Markets (Zambia): Serbian firm FPM Agromehanika plans a Lusaka machinery assembly plant to serve southern Africa and build farmer capacity. Cultivated Meat (Netherlands): RespectFarms inaugurates the world’s first cultivated meat farm on a dairy site, testing a farm-integrated “scale-out” model.

Agriculture Rescue in Sonoma County: Supervisors approved an action plan to stabilize a struggling local ag economy, aiming to prevent more vineyard and dairy losses through an incubator for new farmers, affordable long-term leases, and expanded education and programming. Irrigation Modernization in Georgia: Kakheti’s Lower Samgori system will be rehabilitated to boost reliable irrigation from 4,430 to 7,320 hectares, with pipeline distribution enabling water metering and more efficient use. Plant Health in Minnesota: Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Kandiyohi County, triggering an emergency quarantine covering the whole county and restricting movement of firewood and ash material. Trade Relief for Farmers: The U.S. eased tariffs on certain farm equipment, cutting rates from 25% to 15% through end-2027 to lower machinery input costs. Food Supply Security in the U.S.: CBP seized 337 hatching eggs from Germany at Cincinnati over avian influenza documentation concerns, handing them to USDA for action. Animal Health Alert in Texas: USDA reported a suspected New World screwworm case in South Texas, with lab testing underway. Water Quality Focus: A new guidance piece highlights how phosphorus and sediment runoff from fields and farmyards can be cut by breaking the pathway to waterways. Local Policy in Maharashtra: Eligibility rules tightened for a Rs 36,585-crore farm loan waiver, excluding higher-income groups and certain officials while targeting overdue crop loans.

Water & Farm Policy: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 2771, boosting water-quality funding for “Farm to Faucet” upgrades with nearly $320M over 12 years. Climate Risk Prep: India’s agriculture ministry told states to activate district contingency plans as El Niño and a below-normal monsoon threaten kharif output, pushing drought-tolerant seeds and moisture-saving steps. Poultry Disease Rules: South Africa moved to amend its animal disease framework to allow HPAI vaccinations, aiming to reduce repeated mass culling losses. Aquaculture & Trade: Malaysia’s shrimp import ban hit Thai farmers’ livelihoods, while Cameroon signed a Kribi port-zone deal to expand aquaculture and cut fish import dependence. Farm Tech: China’s Anhui used tethered lighting drones to help wheat harvest at night. Local Food & Community: Pennsylvania highlighted invasive-species work at Native Species Day, and Shoreline Farmers Market opened its 15th season June 6. Agribusiness Watch: South Africa’s citrus exporters warned supply-chain disruptions are squeezing margins.

Bioenergy & Ag Residues: netiBIO (STEER World) won a BBB Expo 2026 award for biomass pre-conditioning that can boost compressed biogas yields up to 2.1x. Syria’s Specialty Crop Pressure: In al-Marah, Damask rose harvests are back after better rainfall, but low prices and aging growers threaten the centuries-old tradition. Dairy Biosecurity: Utah detected HPAI at a Cache County dairy and ordered mandatory weekly surveillance, with quarantines for any positive sites. Herbicide Health Concerns: A new cohort study links glyphosate exposure in agricultural workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua to kidney health impacts, raising fresh occupational-safety questions. Feed & Livestock Economics: The lysine market is projected to grow to $9.7B by 2033 as animal-feed demand rises. Trade & Grain Markets: China and Kazakhstan agreed to build a joint grain-trading platform, signaling more regional supply-chain planning. Policy & Markets: Georgia peach producers voted to extend the Georgia Peach Commission marketing order through 2029, keeping assessments at $0.10/bushel. Tech in the Barn: Nevada students toured Mill’s Dairy, highlighting its robotic milking barn and automation-driven dairy management.

Aquaculture Turnaround: Nordic Aqua Partners says Q1 harvest volumes and revenue jumped, and March delivered its first positive operational EBIT as its China RAS ramped up. Investor Spotlight on Seafood: FAIRR’s new Seafood Index scores major suppliers on risks like modern slavery, animal welfare, traceability and food safety, with Mowi topping the rankings. Dryland Farming Push: ICRISAT and India’s ICAR will host Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi (Sept 10–12) to speed resilient agri-food systems via science, policy and investment. Climate-Smart Viticulture: French winemakers are trialing “vitiforestry,” mixing vines with trees to buffer heat and drought. Energy Meets Land Use: Lightsource bp won planning approval for a 57MW solar-plus-storage project in Wales on lower-grade farmland, aiming for biodiversity net gain while keeping agricultural use possible. Fertilizer Shock in Wheat: Australia’s wheat output is forecast to drop sharply as fertilizer costs rise, linked to Middle East conflict pressures. Food Security Procurement: Egypt says wheat procurement has surpassed 4.3 million tons (86% of target) and extended winter wheat planting to June 15 after wet weather delayed fieldwork. Skills Gap Warning (UK): Lantra flags a widening land-based skills shortage that threatens rural jobs and food security. Farm Safety & Crime: Italy police arrested suspects in the murder of four Pakistani farm workers found dead in Calabria. Biochar for Carbon Credits: A new biochar methodology under the Satoyama Mace Initiative offers farmers a pathway to generate carbon assets while protecting biodiversity.

Water & Farm Policy (Iowa): Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Farm to Faucet water quality package and the Iowa Farm Act, including nearly $320M over 12 years for farm-to-faucet infrastructure and monitoring, effective July 1. Dairy Update (US): U.S. milk output stayed up for the 14th straight month; April production hit 19.96B pounds (+2.7% y/y) as the U.S. dairy herd reached its largest level since mid-1993. Animal Health (Southern Africa): Namibia’s livestock sector is pushing stronger regional cooperation to protect foot-and-mouth disease-free status and avoid export shocks. Ag Tech (Robotics): Researchers in Japan say virtual tomato greenhouses can generate training data for harvesting robots, aiming to cut the labor-heavy photo labeling bottleneck. Trade & Exports (Armenia/EU): Armenia targets EU fruit and vegetable exports up 4–5x by year-end, saying quality is not the main barrier—transport costs and customs duties are. Market Reality (Philippines): A Benguet “rescue-buy” program in Atok helped 146 farmers move about 79,236 kilos of vegetables after a glut pushed prices down. Pest Watch (US): U.S. Customs intercepted a rare leafhopper species in imported leafy greens at Nogales and quarantined it.

Aquaculture Finance & Expansion: Norway’s Nordic Halibut secured an extra NOK 500 million liquidity line and bought two companies to gain full control of key facilities, aiming to lift annual halibut output to 10,350 metric tons by 2031. Fish Prices & Exports: Vietnam’s pangasius raw prices are staying high as export processing demand rebounds, with farmers in Dong Thap reporting better margins—though fingerling costs are rising. Food Safety & Trade Scrutiny: U.S. senators expanded their inquiry into shrimp imports, questioning major certification bodies over health risks and how retailers handle recalls. Farm Safety: Ireland’s IFA is urging machinery and tractor safety during Tractor Safety Week, focusing on maintenance, PTO guards, seatbelts, training, and road safety. Pest & Biosecurity Coordination: Australia’s fruit fly program governance group is pushing councils to manage host trees on public land to prevent reinfestation across orchards and communities. Climate & Risk Watch: Victoria is warning of warmer, drier conditions linked to El Niño, raising bushfire risk for farmers planning winter burn-offs. Dairy Spotlight: World Milk Day coverage highlights dairy’s role in nutrition and celebrates women farmers, with South Africa-focused value-chain messaging. Water & Soil Tech: Canada’s Farming Smarter project is nearing its end, helping producers use soil moisture sensing to reduce irrigation guesswork. Policy & Labor Protections: Sri Lanka is urged to shape a fairer deal for gig workers ahead of an ILO platform-economy standard.

Food prices & fertilizer shock: The BSP estimates May inflation could reach 7.1%–7.9%, with rice, vegetables and meat costs rising as the peso weakens. A separate CPBRD projection warns poorer households could pay about ₱490 more per month for rice as urea prices nearly double, hitting the poorest hardest. Animal welfare & farming policy: Oregon’s proposed PEACE Act would remove hunting, fishing and livestock exemptions from animal cruelty law, with campaigners arguing for non-lethal alternatives. Wildlife conflict & rural risk: Nagaland’s Wokha district is the worst-hit in human-wildlife conflict, receiving over half of state relief payouts since 2018. Water & harvest impacts: Syria’s Euphrates flooding is receding after damage during the wheat harvest, while Michigan agencies urge residents to watch for harmful algal blooms as summer nears. Food safety: A Salmonella-linked powdered milk recall has triggered additional product recalls at major U.S. retailers. Land use & agriculture pressure: Vietnam’s Trump-linked golf resort in Hung Yen is displacing thousands and exhuming ancestral graves, including on fertile farmland. Bioenergy & farm tech: Australia’s CSIRO is rolling out a new pest-management digital toolkit for growers, and Delorean is nearing completion of a bioenergy plant aimed at wider rollout.

Seed & Credit Push in India’s Northeast: Arunachal Pradesh urged the Centre to release timely seed funding, expand organic farming, and back certified varieties plus locally adapted indigenous germplasm; it also called on NABARD to keep agricultural credit flowing without interruptions. Seed Sovereignty & Climate Resilience: A seed fest in Lower Subansiri wrapped with calls for seed sovereignty, ecological preservation, and community-led agribusiness, warning that climate shifts are shrinking rivers and degrading high-hill ecosystems. Irrigation Tech Breakthrough: Komet’s Rain Gun technology irrigated 100 acres of a coffee estate in under 24 hours in Karnataka, touted as a world first for coffee growers. Farmers’ Mental Health Spotlight: The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir won Britain’s Got Talent, using the platform to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention in farming. Market Access for Displaced Farmers (Iraq): A UN-backed hub helped refugee and host-community farmers sell potatoes through Carrefour, boosting earnings by up to 48%. Grain Losses in Iraq: A wheat-field fire near Kirkuk damaged about 1 hectare, with authorities assessing causes and losses. Solar vs Farmland Debate: A solar project in England drew fresh criticism for taking fertile land, reigniting concerns over agricultural land trade-offs.

Climate & Farm Outlook: The RBI says India’s 2026-27 farm outlook hinges on the monsoon, with El Niño a downside risk, though a positive Indian Ocean Dipole later in the season could soften impacts. Irrigation Upgrade: Northern Samar (Philippines) is validating sites for 19 solar-powered irrigation systems to cut fuel costs and stabilize rain-dependent rice. Aquaculture Gains: FAO-backed fish farming in Gombe (Nigeria) is reducing mortality and improving pond management and earnings after farmer training. Agri-Trade & Market Access: China is granting continent-wide phytosanitary clearance for African coffee exporters, easing paperwork and opening export chances. Food Security Shock Risk: Zimbabwe warns that Middle East tensions could disrupt fertiliser supplies via the Hormuz route, potentially slashing maize output. Policy & Governance: Maryland ordered state aid after an April freeze and is waiving some winery sourcing rules to help recovery. Sustainability Push: South Africa’s Regenerative Futures SA 2026 will convene farmers and investors to coordinate regenerative investment and rebuild land health. Animal Health & Public Concern: A UF/IFAS survey finds strong support for tougher protections against agricultural pests and diseases. Trade Friction: Russia temporarily restricts some Armenian fruit and veg imports over phytosanitary violations. Agri-Community Action: A community garden collective is being set up in Brazil’s Ap de Bangu to grow organic food and strengthen local ties.

EAEU Trade & Tech: Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev pushed for digital transport corridors and a unified cross-border “smart cargo” ecosystem, linking logistics modernization with competitiveness in industry and agriculture. U.S. Cotton Push: USDA unveiled the Great American Cotton Plan, aiming to boost cotton farm income, revive domestic textile manufacturing, and expand trade. Disaster Relief for Fruit Growers: New York’s governor requested USDA disaster designation after April freeze damage to orchards and grapes, with losses topping $30M; Maryland also issued a directive for a coordinated response to its late-April freeze. SNAP & Farm Economy: USDA Secretary Rollins defended SNAP cuts at a Marana farm as Arizona reports large enrollment drops and advocates warn of benefit losses. Weather Stress: Virginia’s drought eased after late-May rain, but officials say it won’t erase deficits quickly. Pest & Biosecurity: Hawaiʻi launched a statewide invasive fruit fly survey through June 30 to refine control strategies. Input Pollution Warning (Ghana): Ghanaian experts warned that burning crop waste and trees is driving dangerous air pollution and health harms. Invasive Moth Monitoring (Wisconsin): Wisconsin will deploy ~6,700 spongy moth traps across 36 counties to curb spread. Policy & Research: USDA begins a nationwide conservation practices survey to improve how conservation programs are measured and targeted.

US Policy & Risk Coverage: USDA is offering a rare chance to expand Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage base acres from June 1 to Aug. 31, with up to 30 million acres potentially added nationwide. Weather & Food Security: India’s monsoon outlook has been cut to 90% of average, raising below-normal rainfall and “severe water shortage” risks as farmers face higher input costs. Land Use & Farming Pressure: Singapore will swap land in Lim Chu Kang—north for future agriculture and south for defence—affecting five farms. Pesticides & Accountability: A 44-year milestone for Pesticide Action Network highlights ongoing fights over highly hazardous pesticides and corporate/regulatory failures. Livestock & Biosecurity: Ireland extended the €6m On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme application deadline to June 7. Agriculture Meets Tech: Pennsylvania lawmakers consider bills to restrict data centers on farmland, as the state continues losing farmland to development. Markets & Producer Pain: Zimbabwe tobacco average selling prices fell 25% to about $2.54/kg, squeezing farmer returns despite strong sales volumes. Trade & Exports: APEDA ran an export training program for Kashmir fruit growers to meet international quality and compliance needs. Climate Extremes: China’s wheat harvest in Hubei is being rushed after destructive rainstorms threatened mold and sprouting. Infrastructure for Rural Economies: The World Bank approved $500m for Ghana to improve rural roads and strengthen agricultural value chains. Animal Health Workforce: Nebraska selected 21 students for its Elite 11 veterinarian program to address food-animal vet shortages.

Fertilizer Pressure & Policy: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating fertilizer price spikes tied to the Iran war’s impact on global supply routes, with farmers facing squeezed margins as planting begins. Biofuels Demand Rules: Biofuel and farm groups are urging the U.S. Treasury to finalize Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit rules fast, arguing clear guidance is key for monetizing low-carbon farming practices. Credit for Smallholders: Across Africa, new digital credit systems are turning farming activity into financial “identities,” helping smallholders access input finance without traditional bank collateral. Climate Stress on Food Production: In the Philippines, rains are triggering “gataw” events in milkfish ponds in Pangasinan, forcing early harvests after fish gasp for oxygen. Research & Pollination Risk: Beekeepers are alarmed by reports that a USDA research lab closure could reduce diagnostic support for mites and diseases, threatening pollination and crop yields. EU Fertilizer Aid: Brussels approved Spain’s €500m fertilizer-cost aid plan for primary producers, covering up to 70% of extra costs. Cotton Turnaround Plan: USDA unveiled the Great American Cotton Plan to reverse years of losses and rebuild domestic textile capacity as synthetics dominate global fibers. Rural Development Finance: Ethiopia called for scaled-up rural financing at IFAD14, linking agriculture, climate resilience, and rural finance to food security and stability.

Regional Food Security Push: SADC agriculture officials met in Victoria Falls to coordinate action on worsening food security, fisheries management and climate resilience ahead of a ministerial meeting on 29 May. Animal Health Shock: Botswana’s FMD situation is escalating fast, threatening its long-standing FMD-free status and market access, as livestock movement controls tighten. Water & Biosecurity Cooperation: South Africa and Botswana are set to sign an agreement to protect water quality and curb invasive aquatic species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. Research for Disease Control: Curtin University found some soils naturally suppress Sclerotinia stem rot, pointing to microbiome-based ways to reduce major crop losses. On-Farm Innovation: Babylon Micro-Farms says more commercial operators are adopting on-site hydroponics to improve fresh food access and cut supply-chain strain. Livestock Pest Lab: USDA opened the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory to develop tools against invasive fly and tick threats. Trade Disruption: Japan has stopped importing fresh Indian mangoes over fumigation/disinfection concerns, risking premium variety exports. Funding & Infrastructure: Philippines’ DAR chief led a P97M farm-to-market road opening in Candaba, aiming to improve irrigation access and benefit hundreds of farmers. Climate Risk for Agriculture: Europe’s expanding heatwave season is raising alarm, with Switzerland reporting its fourth-hottest May on record.

EU Fertilizer Tensions: Spain’s fertilizer producers say the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan talks support but lacks funding and a realistic timeline, with organic fertilizers seen as unable to replace much mineral nitrogen. Gene-Editing Policy Watch: At the World Seed Congress in Lisbon, frustration grew over slow EU adoption of new genomic techniques; if votes pass in June, rules could take years, though some expect gene-edited varieties sooner in fruit and veg. Risk & Resilience: A World Bank agribusiness leader argues crop insurance and better seeds, irrigation and fertilizer help unlock lending and keep food prices stable as climate shocks intensify. Weather & Crops: Ireland’s crop outlook mixes strong sunshine for grain fill with heat stress worries and a reminder to manage disease and weeds as conditions swing. Market Signals: Grain prices stayed steady-to-soft in Europe, with oilseed rape rebounding and global grain forecasts nudged up while wheat and maize are still expected lower. Biosecurity Alert: California officials found the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter on Costco grape plants, raising Pierce’s disease risks for vineyards and other crops. US Farm Support: USDA approved emergency help for Pennsylvania farmers hit by April freeze, with loans and logistics steps aimed at getting fertilizer to fields. EU Funds Scrutiny: EU lawmakers head to Athens to probe Greece’s farm subsidy scandal and alleged misuse of agricultural payments. Agriculture Education: A new agriculture lab building nears completion in the US, expanding hands-on training for animal science and sustainable farming.