“Product of the USA label is a win for American farmers, ranchers, processors and consumers alike, and we are continuing to see companies respond to this demand,” said Rollins. “American consumers want to know where their food comes from, and they deserve labels they can trust. Every new company that adopts Product of USA is helping strengthen rural America, create new market opportunities for U.S. producers, and make it easier for families to support American agriculture every time they shop.”

USDA deregulates corn engineered for multiple herbicide resistance

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is deregulating Monsanto Co.’s MON 87429 corn, according to a USDA announcement Aug. 4. This corn variety was developed using genetic engineering for dicamba, glufosinate, quizalofop, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid resistance, and with tissue-specific glyphosate resistance to facilitate the production of hybrid maize seed. After a thorough review, APHIS has determined the modified corn is unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk than the unmodified comparator and therefore is no longer subject to regulation governing the introduction of certain organisms developed using genetic engineering.

APHIS is publishing the Determination of Nonregulated Status, PPRA, and response to public comments on the petition and PPRA. These documents support APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential plant pest impacts associated with deregulating Monsanto Co.’s corn modified for multiple herbicide resistance. These documents and the Federal Register notice were to be available Aug. 5, 2026, at the www.regulations.gov website. Enter APHIS-2020-2021 in the “Search” field.

NCBA, PLC, WCA urge senate to pass bill delisting gray wolf

On Aug. 4, 2026, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC) and Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) urged the Senate to pass S. 1306 and thanked Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), for elevating this critical issue on behalf of livestock producers. The legislation would reissue the 2020 rule delisting gray wolves in the lower 48 states returning management authority to the states and is the Senate companion to the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which passed the House in late 2025 with bipartisan support.

On Aug. 4, Sen. Johnson took to the Senate floor and sought unanimous consent to pass the legislation. While the request was met with an objection, NCBA and PLC remain committed to advancing this commonsense measure and urge Senate leadership to give the bill the consideration it deserves.

“Gray wolves are no longer hovering on the brink of extinction and represent a successful recovery,” said Skye Krebs, NCBA vice president and Oregon rancher. “Populations are thriving, but Endangered Species Act  protections limit management and allow these apex predators to negatively impact rural communities and family-owned cattle operations that are vital to rural economies. This is not just a cattle industry issue, it’s a public safety, economic and governance concern. The last three U.S. presidents have recognized wolf recovery. Cattle producers and rural communities across the country are urging Congress to return gray wolf management to the states.”

“The science has been clear across both Democrat and Republican administrations: The gray wolf has recovered,” said Tim Canterbury, PLC president and Colorado rancher. “Animal activist groups have weaponized the Endangered Species Act  in court to keep wolves listed, leaving rural communities to manage abundant apex predator populations with limited tools. Ranchers and rural communities across the West face economic and emotional strain as wolf populations prey on livestock and pets.”

“For too long, gray wolves have run unchecked across the Upper Great Lakes,” noted Jared Geiser, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association president and Wisconsin cattle producer. “Since 2021, Wisconsin has confirmed more than 161 cattle and calf depredations and paid more than 200 missing calf claims. Chronic stress from wolf pressure adds an unnecessary burden to livestock and the families who raise them. More than $650,000 has been paid in damage claims in Wisconsin since 2021, but compensation never makes producers whole. We need practical, state-led management that protects livestock, support rural communities, and restores balance for livestock producers. It’s time to remove Endangered Species Act  protections and return management to states.”

Rollins announces steps to put farmers first

At Minnesota Farmfest Aug. 4, Ag Secretary Rollins announced several steps the USDA is taking to support America’s farmers in response to ongoing challenges across the ag sector. These actions include a series of data modernization, payment flexibility and enhanced crop insurance options to benefit farmers.

“I am pleased to announce three critical initiatives to support farmers and U.S. agriculture broadly,” said Secretary Rollins. “We’re modernizing how USDA serves farmers, providing commonsense flexibility when it’s needed most, and strengthening the risk management tools producers depend on.”

Data Modernization: Last month, Secretary Rollins announced USDA is working on a Data Modernization Plan across multiple agencies that will be released later this year. The Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area, under the leadership of Undersecretary Scott Hutchins, will coordinate the effort across USDA.

As the next step in this process, Secretary Rollins announced a series of listening sessions USDA leadership will host to hear directly from producers. Locations where listening sessions will be hosted include:

• Indiana State Fair
• Wisconsin State Fair
• Penn State Ag Progress Days
• Illinois State Fair
• Dakotafest
• Missouri State Fair
• Iowa State Fair
• Nebraska State Fair
• Farm Progress Show

For additional information and details about a specific listening session, please email datamodernization@usda.gov.

Payment flexibilities: Rollins announced the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorizing Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to provide producers with up to 60 additional days to pay crop insurance premiums, administrative fees and amounts due under Written Payment Agreements with scheduled premium billing dates between July 1, 2026, and Sept. 30, 2026.

During this extended period, AIPs may waive interest charges. Interest will begin accruing for unpaid premium and administrative fees only after the end of the additional 60-day period or upon reaching the policy’s termination date, whichever occurs first.

To further support these efforts, RMA will defer collection of unpaid producer premiums and administrative fees from AIPs and waive associated interest beginning with the August monthly accounting cycle.

Prevented planting coverage: Additionally, RMA is reinstating the option for insured producers to purchase an additional 5% prevented planting coverage beginning with crops associated with the Aug. 31, 2026, filing date for the 2027 and succeeding crop years. This added coverage enhances producers’ ability to manage risk in situations where extreme weather or other conditions prevent normal planting.

These actions underscore RMA’s commitment to supporting farmers and ranchers by providing needed flexibility and strengthening coverage options during a challenging period for American agriculture. AIPs will notify affected policyholders directly regarding these relief measures.

Producers should contact their local crop insurance agent or visit the RMA website for guidance on how these updates may affect coverage options.

Editor’s note: “News & Notes” is compiled from various corporate, academic and governmental releases.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 8-A