Skip to content
Thursday, Oct 8
Save US Farms
The Daily Dirt · 2026-09-30-morning

The Daily Dirt — Morning Edition

Congressional Democrats demand USDA explain $12 million in unspent urban farm funds. Harvests lag. Cattle cycle turns. What Monday brought to the farm fight.

The bottom line
  • Congress pressed USDA to explain why $12 million in allocated urban farm funds sat unspent over two fiscal years, leaving small-scale growers without critical support.
  • Soybean and corn harvests are running behind expectations as weather delays pile up on farmer schedules during peak season.
  • The cattle cycle is turning: cow slaughter has dropped 40% since 2022, hitting a projected record low 7.3% culling rate in 2026 as producers hold herds longer.
  • Food & Water Watch filed opening briefs challenging California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, arguing it perversely incentivizes factory farm pollution over climate solutions.
  • The FDA issued warning letters after fungal contamination in a livestock wound-care product sickened nearly 100 horses, at least 20 requiring euthanization.
  • NRDC launched new 'Responsible Carbon Removal Principles' as climate pressures mount, signaling industry attention to carbon-removal technologies.

Good morning. Here’s what moved the farm world overnight and early Monday.

House Democrats put USDA in the hot seat over $12 million in unspent funds. The agency was supposed to deploy money in fiscal 2025 and 2026 to support farmers in cities and suburbs, but nothing happened. Congress is asking why and demanding the agency spend what it’s been allocated.

Harvest is running slow. Soybean and corn harvests both lagged analyst expectations this week as weather delays mount. Farmers are feeling the pressure to move product before the weather turns again.

The cattle market is shifting. Cow slaughter dropped 40% since 2022, hitting a projected record low culling rate of 7.3% in 2026. Producers are holding herds longer for better returns, signaling real changes in herd economics.

In California, the legal fight over pollution incentives intensifies. Food & Water Watch filed briefs challenging the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, arguing it perversely rewards factory farm biogas over real climate solutions.

The FDA flagged a livestock health threat. A fungal contamination in a topical wound-care product sickened nearly 100 horses, with at least 20 requiring euthanization. Warning letters have been issued.

On the climate tech front, NRDC issued new carbon removal principles as the industry increasingly focuses on carbon capture and removal technologies.

Stay sharp out there. The Save US Farms Desk.

Sources