News

Senate Farm Bill Discussion Draft Introduced

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman(R-AR) last week unveiled a “farm bill 2.0” discussion draft with the intent of encouraging input from Senators both off and on the committee in the hope of producing a comprehensive bill with wide support that can be quickly passed before summer recess begins.

North Dakota Farmer Sues Federal Government, Demands Right to Drain Cropland

Cody Peterson’s farmland ordeal is entirely attributable to government overreach, he insists. Crops drowning, soil fouling, and unable to adequately drain his rows, Peterson is suing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Illinois Impacted by Recent Severe Weather

Agricultural operations in Illinois have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather and tornadoes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

USDA Invests up to $310M in Partnership Projects to Boost Farm Operations & Conserve Natural Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is putting Farmers First by investing up to $310 million to expand producer conservation activities across the nation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting RCPP project proposals now through August 24, 2026, to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners boost their operations and conserve natural resources.

How Small Businesses Can Protect Their HR Teams From AI-driven Scams

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how small businesses recruit, communicate with and manage their

workforce. Whether it’s AI-assisted resume screenings or automated scheduling and onboarding tools, this

technology offers efficiency gains that are especially valuable for lean teams. However, the rise of AI has also

introduced a growing risk: increasingly realistic and scalable scams targeting HR teams.

Senate Ag Committee Set to Release Farm Bill Draft

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to unveil a comprehensive farm bill text today.

On a call with reporters this morning, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley thanked committee chair John Boozman for his work on the legislation.

“I think it would be better for us to take up the House bill, but I’m not going to argue with Chairman Boozman for the hard work he’s put in to putting together this discussion draft of a five-year farm bill that’s coming out today.”

USDA’s NRCS Unveils New Conservation Priorities to Keep Working Lands in Working Hands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is putting farmers first and reaffirming this commitment by updating its strategic priorities, motto and mission and vision statements for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These updates complement NRCS’s historic role in providing practical, voluntary, and locally led conservation solutions for producers.

NOAA Gulf Hypoxia 2026 Forecast

The dead zone is technically a hypoxic zone, where dissolved oxygen levels are too low to support marine life, causing die-offs of fish, shellfish, corals, and aquatic plants. The annual phenomenon is mainly caused by excess nutrient pollution from cities and farm areas throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya watershed.

House Committee Approves Transportation FY 2027 Appropriations

The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2027 transportation funding bill that would cut nearly $10.7 billion (10.4%) for highway construction below the FY 2026 levels. The measure advanced 34-27, with all Republicans supportive and all Democrats opposed.

E15 Legislation Being Drafted

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) says Senators are working on a new bill that would allow year-round sales of E15 higher blends of ethanol motor fuel.

Senate Continues Negotiations on Farm Bill

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) continues to work with members of that committee on the Senate version of the Farm bill in hopes of taking up and approving the measure prior to the Congressional August recess. The timing means the markup would take place between July 13 and Aug. 7, according to the Senate legislative calendar.

Congress Moves on FY 2027 USDA Appropriations - LICA Seeks Support for NRCS/FSA Funding

Congress has begun the process of approving the 12 annual appropriations bills that will provide funding for federal agencies/programs in FY 2027. On June 4 the full House passed the USDA funding measure (H.R. 8646) in a tight 213–210 vote. The House bill approved a $26.27 billion discretionary allocation, which represents a 1.4% decrease from FY 2026 funding levels.

How Much Water Does A Drain Tile Remove?

Have you ever wondered how much water a drain tile removes? Does a larger outlet pipe drain a field faster? Are there differences in drain pipes that would affect the amount of drainage? Let’s explore some of these questions.

Task Force Reports Progress Toward Pollution Reduction Goals for Gulf of America

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as co-chair of the Gulf of America Hypoxia Task Force, reported progress meeting voluntary, interim goals to reduce excess nutrients that can enter the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin and flow into the Gulf of America, impacting water quality. A key finding of this report is that state-led actions helped achieve and surpass the nitrogen reduction goal for 2025.

Precision Drainage Begins with Soil and Water Basics

“Precision” has been the trend in agriculture for the last few decades. Advancements like auto-steering, yield monitors, remote sensing/imagery, and variable rate technologies have allowed farmers to be more efficient and productive, and to lessen impacts on water, natural resources, and the environment. So, how does “precision” apply to drainage?

LICA: A Word from the Board Chair

Over the past six months, the Land Improvement Contractors of America has continued to build momentum in ways that position our organization for a strong and successful future. From leadership transitions to meaningful industry engagement, it has been an exciting and productive time for LICA.

Legacy P: What You Need to Know

A recent study has revealed that legacy phosphorus (P) significantly contributes to water quality degradation, accounting for 83–100 percent of dissolved reactive phosphorus loss in Ohio and Indiana. New P, from recently applied fertilizers, contributed only 0–17 percent. These findings underscore the urgent need for strategies to mitigate legacy P to enhance water quality.

Q&A with A CCA: Drainage Water Recycling

Two organizations, Transforming Drainage.org and the Environmental Defense Fund, provide practical descriptions for DWR. Drainage water recycling is the practice of capturing excess water drained from fields, storing it in a pond, reservoir, or drainage ditch, and using it to irrigate crops during periods of water deficit.

Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Funding Available

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week opened a $1.1 billion funding round to improve safety at railroad grade crossings. Funding under the Crossing Safety Program comes from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address over 2,000 collisions and nearly 300 fatalities yearly since 2021.

House Transportation Committee Approves Highway Reauthorization

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill after a marathon 15-hour legislative markup session that began on May 21 and ended in the early morning of May 22. The committee adopted the bill by a vote of 62-2 with three members not voting. Existing highway and transit authorizations are set to expire Sept. 30.