Ep. 64 Estimating County-Level Farm Program Payments in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Ep. 64 Estimating County-Level Farm Program Payments in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 brings sweeping changes to the farm safety net. Ryan Loy and Hunter Biram break down what motivated Congress to expand Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Risk Coverage–County (ARC-CO) programs, how those updates shift risk management across regions, and the modeling behind county-level payment estimates. They also unpack what the ongoing government shutdown could mean for the timing of program payments and farm operations this fall, and take a look ahead at policy tradeoffs and payment limits likely to shape the next farm bill debate.

Ep. 63 Short-Term Interest Rates and Identifying Financial Stress

Ep. 63 Short-Term Interest Rates and Identifying Financial Stress

The Fed cuts interest rates for the first time since 2024, easing short-term lending costs but offering little immediate relief for producers in a tough ag economy. Ryan Loy is joined by Erica Barnes Fields as they connect these market shifts to rising farm financial stress, drawing lessons from the 1980s crisis and outlining red flag warning signs and resources available to support farm families today.

Ep. 62 USDA September 12th Reports Highlight Record Corn Production and Downward Revision in Rice Price

Ep. 62 USDA September 12th Reports Highlight Record Corn Production and Downward Revision in Rice Price

Scott Stiles and Hunter Biram recap USDA’s Sept. 12 reports on this week’s episode of Morning Coffee & Ag Markets. USDA found more corn acres while trimming yield, and futures firmed after early field reports of disease in the western Corn Belt and late-season dryness in the east. Soybeans lean toward record crush while exports lag amid South American competition and tariffs. Long-grain rice sees a downward revision in price, and cotton stays rangebound with Brazil’s growing export share in focus.