The Latest Breaking News from USDA

In 1888, USDA sent an entomologist to Australia to collect vedalia beetles for California’s cottony cushion scale; within a year, the pest had sharply declined

The cottony cushion scale insect threatened California's citrus growers with devastation. The USDA took action by sending a scientist to Australia in search of a natural enemy. They found the ladybird beetle, Rodolia cardinalis, which was then introduced to California. This predator quickly reduced the pest population, rescuing the citrus…

The Economic Times · Aug 21

Hogs Look to Round Out the Week

Lean hog futures saw losses of 25 cents to $1.27 in the front months on Thursday, with the deferreds mixed. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $92.34 in the Thursday PM report, up 24 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was down another 82...

Barchart · Aug 21

Cattle Look to Friday Trade as President Trump Lifts Import Tariffs for 90 Days

Live cattle futures posted gains of 77 cents to $1.125 at the Thursday close, with August 7 cents lower. Open interest suggested modest new buying, up 3,076 contracts. Cash trade has picked up a few at $355-360 dressed and $226. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no...

Barchart · Aug 21

Arabica Coffee Settles Higher on Supply Concerns

September arabica coffee (KCU26 ) closed up +4.10 (+1.14%) on Thursday, and September ICE robusta coffee (RMU26 ) closed down -16 (-0.43%). Coffee prices settled mixed on Thursday. Arabica coffee closed higher as it consolidated below Wednesday’s 6.5-month high, and robusta is under pressure from rising inventories as ICE robusta...

Barchart · Aug 20

Hogs Back to Weaker Trade on Thursday

Lean hog futures are showing losses of 15 cents to $1.12 on the Thursday session. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $92.75 in the Thursday AM report, up 51 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was down another 82 cents on August 18 at...

Barchart · Aug 20

Cattle Bulls Pushing Back on Thursday

Live cattle futures are showing 97 cent to $2 gains across the front months at midday. Cash trade has picked up a few at $355-360. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no sales on the 1,520 head offered, with bids of $223 to 225. Feeder cattle futures...

Barchart · Aug 20

Soybeans Holding onto Thursday Gains

Soybeans are trading with fractional to 4 cent gains across most contracts Thursday. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is up 1 1/4 cents at $11.99 1/4. Soymeal futures are back down 30 cents to $1.10, as Soy Oil is trading with 110 to 120 point gains. USDA reported...

Barchart · Aug 20

Sugar Prices Rally as India Cuts Sugar Import Duties

October NY world sugar #11 (SBV26 ) is up +0.08 (+0.46%) today, and October London ICE white sugar #5 (SWV26 ) is up +12.90 (+2.38%). Sugar prices added to this week’s gains today, with NY sugar posting a 15-month high and London sugar posting a 17-month high. Prices fell from...

Barchart · Aug 20

Arabica Coffee Consolidating Below This Week’s 6.5-Month High

September arabica coffee (KCU26 ) is up +1.50 (+0.42%) today, and September ICE robusta coffee (RMU26 ) is down -25 (-0.67%). Coffee prices are mixed today. Arabica coffee is consolidating below Tuesday’s 6.5-month high, and robusta is under pressure from rising inventories as ICE robusta inventories climbed to a 5.25-month...

Barchart · Aug 20

USDA Offers $7.5 Million to Help Food Banks Store More Fresh and Frozen Food

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has announced $7.5 million in grant funding aimed at expanding cold chain infrastructure for food assistance organizations, according to an official USDA announcement dated August 17, 2026.

Grocery Coupon Guide · Aug 20