All Ag, All Day is the nation's only full-time farm radio station with studios in Floydada and Nashville, TN (www.AllAgNews.com)
Appeals Court Ruling Clouds Future Of U.S. Tariffs
WASHINGTON, DC – A federal appeals court has ruled that most of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs were improperly imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, raising new uncertainty for U.S. trade policy. The court found that only Congress has the authority to implement such duties, though the tariffs remain in place until at least October 14 while the case proceeds.
According to Reuters, the decision applies to tariffs imposed under Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” strategy, which targeted imports from key partners including China, Canada, and Mexico. These measures have accounted for nearly half of total U.S. tariff revenue in recent years. While the administration is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, analysts say the ruling opens the door to refund claims and could force the White House to rely more heavily on Section 301 or other trade law provisions to defend agricultural markets.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Farmers remain caught in the middle. Tariffs have raised equipment and input costs while also triggering foreign retaliation on U.S. commodities. A possible rollback could ease costs and open export opportunities, but ongoing legal uncertainty leaves producers cautious.
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Ethanol Blend Rates And Exports Boost Corn Demand
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. ethanol demand has strengthened in recent years, supported by higher blend rates and a surge in exports. Ethanol, produced primarily from corn, is blended with gasoline to raise octane and meet federal requirements. According to USDA Economic Research Service data, the U.S. average blend rate in March 2025 was 10.1 percent, marking the ninth consecutive month above the minimum federal threshold. The 12-month moving average stood at 10.2 percent, continuing a trend that has largely held since 2020.
Elevated blend rates have helped sustain domestic ethanol consumption even as total motor fuel use has slowed. At the same time, international markets have expanded. In March 2025, U.S. ethanol exports climbed to 196 million gallons—the fifth-highest monthly total on record—more than 75 percent higher than in March 2016. Over the past year, exports averaged a record 167 million gallons per month.
Farm-Level Takeaway: With both domestic and foreign buyers increasing purchases, ethanol production continues to underpin strong demand for U.S. corn. March ethanol demand required 465 million bushels of corn, 60 million bushels more than a decade earlier.
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USDA Reports U.S. Citrus Production And Value Decline
WASHINGTON, DC – The USDA reports U.S. citrus utilization for the 2024–25 season totaled 5.02 million tons, down 2 percent from last year. The total crop value fell 4 percent to $2.84 billion. California dominated production with 84 percent of the national total, while Florida accounted for 13 percent and Texas and Arizona combined for 3 percent.
California production increased 4 percent, with notable gains in mandarins and tangerines, up 11 percent, and lemons and grapefruit, each up 5 percent. Orange output in California was nearly steady, slipping less than 1 percent from last season. In contrast, Florida’s citrus industry continued its steep decline. Orange production fell 32 percent, grapefruit utilization dropped 27 percent, and overall citrus production was down 28 percent, reflecting reduced acreage. Texas also saw declines, with total citrus production down 20 percent, while Arizona reported lemon production up 18 percent.
Farm-Level Takeaway: California’s gains underscore its central role in national citrus supply, but Florida’s shrinking acreage and falling output remain concerning. The modest increase in orange value and lemon value contrasts with sharp declines for grapefruit and mandarins, signaling uneven returns for growers.
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Artificial Intelligence Tools Gain Ground In Cattle Ranching
LUBBOCK, TX – Artificial intelligence is moving quickly from concept to practice in U.S. beef production, helping ranchers process data, monitor herds, and make more informed decisions. Unlike the more familiar AI acronym for artificial insemination, this technology uses algorithms to analyze complex patterns in everything from feed intake to reproductive cycles, according to a new report from Nationwide.
AI applications can already generate summary reports, flag feed inefficiencies, and guide marketing strategies, explains Dustin Balsley, Chief Operations Officer of Performance Livestock Analytics. New tools include sensors and cameras that track chewing patterns, boluses that record ruminal activity, and ear tags that monitor animal health. Ranchers are beginning to use these systems to adjust feed rations in real time, detect illness before it’s visible, and streamline veterinary intervention. In reproductive management, AI can track breeding cycles and predict calving dates, helping to improve conception rates and reduce calving difficulties. Predictive analytics also allows producers to weigh weather, market, and environmental data before making business decisions.
Farm-Level Takeaway: While still evolving, artificial intelligence is already helping cattle producers manage nutrition, herd health, and marketing more efficiently. Experts emphasize it should be treated as a decision-support tool—not a replacement for rancher experience. Used carefully, AI could become a practical ally for U.S. beef producers seeking to stay competitive.
