USDA reports a smaller U.S. hog herd as breeding and market inventories decline from a year earlier. Today’s Ag News Update also covers beef import prices, West Texas cotton, USDA’s Ag Insights platform, ground beef food safety, used cooking oil theft and South Korea’s U.S. orange quota.
Listen to today’s Ag News Update:
Ag News Update – Friday 09/25/2026
USDA says the U.S. hog inventory fell 2% from a year ago to 74.3 million head, with both breeding and market hog numbers lower. American Farm Bureau economists say expanded beef imports have produced little retail price relief so far, with ground beef prices unchanged at 30 of 41 stores they tracked. West Texas cotton growers are heading toward a difficult harvest after summer heat and drought damaged dryland fields and pressured irrigated acres. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is expanding Ag Insights, giving producers more searchable and interactive access to farm data. USDA also says decades of research and industry changes have sharply reduced E. coli risks tied to ground beef, though outbreaks can still occur. OPIS reports used cooking oil theft is increasing as biodiesel feedstock values rise, with industry estimates putting annual U.S. losses between $300 million and $500 million. South Korea has fully allocated its 2026 tariff-rate quota for U.S. oranges, preserving duty-free access during its higher-tariff season.
Today’s Ag News Highlights
U.S. hog inventory falls 2% from a year earlier.
Farm Bureau finds little retail beef price relief from expanded imports.
West Texas cotton enters harvest after a difficult summer.
USDA expands Ag Insights for easier access to agricultural data.
OPIS reports rising used cooking oil theft tied to biofuel feedstock values.