A framework to end ag lawfare

On Feb. 11 Ag Secretary Rollins announced the launch of the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework, an initiative to protect America’s ag heritage and defend farmers, ranchers and ag producers from politically motivated lawfare. Rollins was joined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, country music artist and songwriter John Rich, Representative James Comer, and several farming families who have been targets of ag lawfare.

The framework is a four-pillar comprehensive plan to protect, preserve and partner with American agriculture, while ending onerous regulations and the weaponization of government against American farmers and ranchers. The four pillars are:

• Protect producers. Defend farmers and ranchers from internal federal bureaucracy and politically motivated enforcement actions.
• Preserve land and liberty. Safeguard agricultural land from unnecessary federal projects and eminent domain.
• Purge burdensome regulations. Remove punitive rules that stifle productivity and reform environmental laws to balance conservation with common sense.
• Partner for agriculture’s future. Unite federal, state and local leaders, along with industry partners, to fight lawfare and elevate public awareness.

For more information and to report instances of lawfare, visit www.usda.gov/lawfare.

Bill to delist the Mexican wolf advances

The House Natural Resources Committee Jan. 22 advanced the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025  (H.R. 4255) with bipartisan support. The bill would remove federal protections for the Mexican wolf set forth in the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The NCBA and Public Lands Council (PLC) strongly support H.R. 4255, which would reduce regulatory barriers that have prevented effective management to safeguard livestock and rural communities from the apex predator.

Because of its ESA status, Mexican wolf management remains heavily restricted, even in areas where wolf populations have expanded significantly. Producers face ongoing livestock depredation, disrupted grazing operations, and delayed or denied responses to problem animals — often with little to no compensation for losses.

Forest Service issues oil and gas leasing rule

The USDA’s Forest Service (FS) finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres.

Ag Secretary Rollins and Interior Secretary Burgum announced the updated rule Jan. 27, emphasizing the Trump administration’s joint commitment to eliminating outdated and burdensome processes.

The final rule (36 CFR 228 Subpart E), now published in the Federal Register, updates and simplifies federal oil and gas leasing procedures, allowing the FS and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to seamlessly coordinate when issuing permits. By establishing a single, clearly defined leasing decision point and reducing duplicative analysis, the rule improves response times to industry requests, helps reduce longstanding backlogs, accelerates lease issuance and supports the timely processing of applications for permits to drill.

Under federal law, the FS manages the surface estate of National Forest System lands, while the BLM manages the subsurface mineral estate. The two agencies work together to develop permitting conditions under their respective authorities.

Currently, 5,154 federal oil and gas leases cover approximately 3.8 million acres (about 2%) of National Forest System lands. Of these, roughly 2,850 leases spanning 1.8 million acres across 39 national forests and grasslands contain producing federal oil or gas wells.

John Deere announces U.S. expansion

John Deere has announced plans to open two new U.S.-based facilities: a state-of-the-art distribution center near Hebron, Ind., and a cutting-edge excavator factory in Kernersville, N.C. Both are set to open in the next year.

The Indiana location is strategically located to enhance supply chain capabilities nationwide. The facility will be designed to streamline operations and ensure timely delivery of equipment and parts. The Indiana project is anticipated to generate significant employment opportunities with approximately 150 jobs, contributing to the state’s economic growth.

John Deere will continue to maintain its primary North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, Ill., which has been in operation since 1973 and employs about 1,200 people.

The $70 million factory in North Carolina will bolster John Deere’s manufacturing capabilities. It will assume production of future generation excavators previously produced in Japan. This facility will employ more than 150 people and will help meet equipment demand and strengthen commitment to U.S. manufacturing innovation.

NCBA releases 2026 policy priorities

The NCBA announced its 2026 policy priorities following approval by the organization’s Executive Committee at CattleCon 2026. NCBA’s focus centers on policies that directly affect producer profitability, including reducing regulatory costs, defending free markets, expanding trade opportunities, and maintaining strong beef demand.

“NCBA focused on practical, workable solutions that produced meaningful policy wins in 2025,” said NCBA President-elect Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer. “NCBA’s efforts resulted in key tax and regulatory improvements, including expanded estate tax exemptions, a new Waters of the U.S. rule, and the rescission of the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule, providing greater certainty and opportunity for cattlemen and cattlewomen.”

NCBA leaders noted those achievements provide a strong foundation for the organization’s 2026 policy agenda, which focuses on strengthening producer profitability and addressing emerging challenges across the cattle business. The organization will advance regulatory reform, animal health protections, expanded market access, and workforce solutions that ensure the cattle and beef supply chain can continue meeting strong consumer demand.

NCBA’s 2026 policy priorities are:

• Continue to press the administration to roll back harmful regulations to keep working lands working.
• Enhance and strengthen U.S. mitigation measures against the incursion of NWS.
• Protect the U.S. cattle herd from foreign animal diseases and pests through heightened awareness and preparedness actions.
• Expand market access for U.S. beef exports and hold trade partners accountable to ensure equivalent animal health and food safety standards for imported beef.
• Promote science-based nutrition policies and sound, fact-based information for consumers.
• Push for further hours-of-service flexibility, increased truck weights, and continue delaying ELD (electronic logging device) requirements for livestock haulers.
• Safeguard the U.S. cattle and beef supply chain by working with the administration to ensure there is a strong workforce to limit processing disruptions for producers.

PLC, BLM sign MOU

The PLC and the BLM on Feb. 2 announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote cooperative monitoring of grazing allotments on National Forest System lands. The MOU will help public lands ranchers and local BLM officials cooperate to collect and analyze data on rangeland health to ensure higher quality management of federal rangeland.

“Federal lands ranchers manage millions of acres of federal land through livestock grazing, as well as voluntary conservation work. Ranchers strive to improve range conditions every day. To help boost these management efforts, data is needed to help ranchers make decisions on the landscape, and this MOU will allow BLM and grazing permittees to better share the information that is key to those management efforts,” said PLC President Tim Canterbury.

“This MOU strengthens our ability to work side by side with permittees and other partners, ensuring that decisions are informed by sound data and collaborative monitoring,” said Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy. “Together, we can achieve resilient landscapes that support productive grazing, healthy wildlife habitat and clean water.”

The MOU provides a clear path for more efficient data collection and information sharing between grazing permittees and BLM.

Akralos Animal Nutrition debuts

Akralos Animal Nutrition, a new North American animal feed and nutrition company, officially launched Feb. 1. Formed through a joint venture between global ag leaders ADM and Alltech, Akralos combines Alltech’s U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses with ADM’s U.S. feed operations.

Operating an extensive network of more than 40 feedmills across North America and supported by more than 1,400 team members, Akralos delivers reliable, high-quality feeds, minerals and supplements through its trusted brands, backed by advanced nutrition expertise, leading-edge science and personalized service.

“From Day 1, our focus is on delivering nutrition our customers can rely on, support they can count on and partnerships that help their animals and businesses thrive,” said Akralos CEO Brian Gier, who has 30-plus years of experience in the commercial animal feed industry.

Akralos is dedicated to helping customers gain a measurable advantage, bringing together passionate teams, proven products and shared values. Its team works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions, consistent performance and actionable insights, supported by leading-edge research and development, broad logistical capabilities and strong connections across the agri-food value chain.

ADM and Alltech have a longstanding relationship, tracing back to ADM being Alltech’s first customer in 1980. Akralos brings together the companies’ complementary strengths to form a unified organization with a clear mission: to serve as an advanced nutrition partnership committed to delivering a competitive edge for producers, retailers and animal owners across North America. Headquartered in Lexington, Ky., its footprint includes feed manufacturing, research and laboratory facilities, enabling the company to serve the livestock, equine, backyard and leisure animal markets with unmatched expertise and scale.

Hubbard and Masterfeeds remain Akralos’ core customer-facing brands. Product and portfolio alignment are underway, ensuring each brand continues to evolve while benefiting from the shared resources, science and operational strength of Akralos’ parent companies.

“Our vision is to become the most trusted name in animal nutrition by delivering high-performance feeds and partnerships that drive results,” Gier said.

Akralos is now fully operational and serving customers across North America. For information on products and services, please email info@akralos.com. Learn more at www.akralos.com.