USDA corn revisions and the market reaction lead today’s Ag News Update. Other stories include weaker farm equipment sales, agricultural lending conditions, accelerating U.S.-China trade separation and a federal court ruling affecting H-2A wages.
Listen to today’s Ag News Update:
Ag News Update – Tuesday 10/13/2026
USDA corn revisions are drawing criticism after a sharp futures selloff. Commodity analyst Al Kluis says recent grain stocks changes and a 2.7-bushel-per-acre yield increase effectively added about 480 million bushels of corn, intensifying producer frustration. Farm equipment demand also weakened in September, with U.S. tractor sales down 16.4% from a year earlier and combine sales down 10.9%. Frontier Futures broker Adam Knosalla says corn found buyers after briefly trading limit-down, while USDA raised projected exports by 25 million bushels. The World Trade Organization says U.S.-China trade separation is accelerating even as broader global trade fragmentation eases. Farmdoc daily reports agricultural lending reached $206.27 billion in the second quarter, while farm loan delinquencies improved from the first quarter. A federal court also ruled key parts of the 2025 H-2A wage methodology unlawful, leaving farm employers watching for a replacement system and possible backpay exposure.
Today’s Ag News Highlights
• Al Kluis questions the consistency of recent USDA corn revisions.
• U.S. tractor sales fall 16.4% while combine sales decline 10.9%.
• Corn attracts buyers after briefly trading limit-down following USDA’s report.
• Agricultural lending grows while second-quarter farm loan delinquencies improve.
• A federal court rejects key provisions of the 2025 H-2A wage methodology.