Executive department steering U.S. farming, food, and biosecurity
As of April 2026, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global fertilizer shipments, causing nitrogen fertilizer prices to nearly double. This has hit US and global farmers during critical spring planting, raising production costs and threatening crop yields for staples like corn, wheat, and rice. The shortage risks global food security and will likely push consumer food prices higher worldwide.
Russia's cattle culling since February, linked to suspected foot-and-mouth disease, has expanded to China, which reports a highly contagious, vaccine-resistant strain entering Xinjiang. Authorities are implementing culling and disinfection measures, raising concerns over potential regional disease spread and concealment of outbreaks.
The Asian jumping worm and the New World screwworm are being closely watched as they move closer to U.S. borders. Authorities warn these pests could degrade soils, threaten livestock, and disrupt ecosystems. Officials are expanding surveillance and pursuing prevention and containment measures.
Inflation in food at home and for prepared meals has accelerated in April, reaching 2.9% year over year for groceries and 3.2% for total food. Energy costs and supply disruptions are shaping prices, with experts warning that the full impact may appear in coming months.
Drought and heat have deepened losses for U.S. wheat farmers as irrigation and drought conditions worsen. Growers report sharply lower yields and higher input costs, with USDA data forecasting a historically small crop and insurance considerations shaping farmer decisions.
The UN World Food Programme has intensified emergency food and nutrition aid as hunger risks rise amid conflict, climate shocks, and funding shortfalls across multiple regions, including Sudan and South Sudan. Delivery faces security and transport hurdles with the rainy season approaching.
A series of policy changes and local actions across the US and Hawaii are threatening tax credits, farm and rooftop solar projects, and small-business solar adoption. While some communities push for faster rooftop and street-level solar deployments, lawmakers are revisiting credits and funding rules, risking delays for ongoing installations and new deployments.
McDonald’s has announced its global growth strategy, dubbed McDonald’s > NEXT, to enhance restaurant design, menu quality, customer service and automation. Details and financial targets are to be shared at an investor day in September, as the chain seeks to defend market share amid new rivals and cautious consumer spending.
The New World screwworm re-emerged in Texas after decades of eradication, with a calf found in La Pryor marking the first U.S. cattle case since the 1960s. Authorities are deploying sterile flies, expanding production, and tightening cross-border controls as Canada imposes imports limits and additional cases emerge in Texas.
The New World screwworm has re-emerged in the U.S., with cases detected in Texas and New Mexico, triggering cross-border restrictions and a major USDA response. Authorities are deploying sterile flies to suppress the pest while preparing additional facilities, amid high beef prices and a fragile cattle herd.
A Foot-and-Mouth outbreak in Uganda has triggered calls for intensified vaccination and stricter movement checks as farmers in Lyengoma Village blame contested grazing land, while authorities push to prevent wider spread.
Whey protein prices have surged to record levels as demand from GLP-1 weight‑loss drug users and the food industry outpaces supply. Prices for concentrate and 80% whey protein are at records, pushing costs for small brands higher while producers explore blends to ease shortages.
Scotland’s ski season has defied expectations, with 2025/26 marking the best skier-days tally since 2017/18, at 139,445 across five resorts. Snowfall and weather variability complicate the picture, but the skier-days metric shows more people choosing Scotland’s hills despite conditions.
Gasoline costs have fallen below the $4 threshold as the Strait of Hormuz reopens under a U.S.–Iran accord. Prices remain volatile and relief is slow to reach all regions; flows are still normalizing and broader inflation remains a concern.
The US Farm Bill is considering tighter Buy American rules, with a cap on non-US foods for school meals rising concern among nutrition directors about banana imports and the availability of healthy options.
Danone has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court alleging Chobani inflates protein claims on multiple-serving tubs of Chobani 20G Protein, a rival to Danone’s Oikos Pro. The case underscores how protein claims are shaping competition in the US amid rising GLP-1 weight-loss drug use. Danone says Chobani’s labeling misleads consumers and undercuts its pricing. Chobani rejects the allegations; analysts note concerns over capacity and competitive dynamics.
The new SNAP cost-sharing rules require states with high payment error rates to cover a portion of benefit costs starting in October 2027. Several states face bill totals in the billions, raising the possibility that some may withdraw from the program. The Trump-era changes aim to curb waste, while critics warn of deeper harm to vulnerable families.
A New World screwworm outbreak is prompting containment efforts as authorities monitor cattle and wildlife. Affected ranches in Texas face intensified surveillance, while worker health and border facilities expand fly production to meet eradication-era benchmarks.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has expanded its animal cruelty and fraud investigation into Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna, California. Since January 2025, about 900 dogs were transferred to the sanctuary, but only 116 have been adopted, leaving over 700 unaccounted for. Ground-penetrating radar and excavations have uncovered dozens of dog remains, a horse, and hundreds of bones. Authorities describe the scene as a mass grave and are examining potential fraud and mismanagement.
Google has released a stand-alone Google Finance app for Android, bringing the AI-powered web facelift to mobile. The app mirrors the updated Finance web experience, including AI-generated key moments, an AI research tool, and chat-based insights tied to users’ portfolios and watchlists. An iOS version is planned for later, with more features rolling out over time.
California has standardized consumer-facing date labels, banning 'sell by' labels and introducing two main labels: 'Best if Used By' for quality and 'Use By' for safety. New York is pursuing a similar path; federal action remains uncertain. The change aims to reduce food waste and emissions, with gradual labeling transitions for stores.