Labor disruptions at southwestern Kansas processing plants are raising concerns about cattle movement, producer costs and beef supplies. Today’s Ag News Update also covers USDA’s food price outlook, cotton growers pressing Washington for aid, producer participation in USDA data, Mid-Atlantic corn yields and lower U.S. hop stocks.
Listen to today’s Ag News Update:
Ag News Update – Monday 09/28/2026
Texas Cattle Feeders Association Chairman Laphe LaRoe says labor disruptions at southwestern Kansas processing plants can slow cattle movement, raise producer costs and potentially tighten beef supplies. USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts overall food prices up 2.9% in 2026, with grocery prices rising 2.4% and food-away-from-home prices up 3.5%. West Texas cotton leaders are pressing Congress and USDA for farm bill action, emergency aid and disaster assistance as drought and weak margins continue. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Administrator Joe Parsons says farmers and ranchers remain essential to reliable agricultural data even as the agency expands sensors and administrative records. Mid-Atlantic corn yields are running better than feared, with early fields generally producing 180 to 220 bushels per acre despite prolonged summer dryness. USDA also reports U.S. hop stocks at 105 million pounds on September 1, down 9% from a year earlier.
Today’s Ag News Highlights
– Kansas processing disruptions raise cattle supply concerns.
– USDA forecasts moderate overall food inflation in 2026.
– Cotton growers push Washington for farm bill action and aid.
– Producer participation remains critical to USDA agricultural statistics.
– Mid-Atlantic corn yields exceed some drought-season expectations.