Although southwest Colorado received some welcome rain last week, the October 1st Drought Monitor Map indicates that the region is still in moderate to extreme drought, but the mountainous areas in the middle of the state are in extreme to exceptional drought. Over the past few days, I’ve noticed that some farmers are making their last cutting of hay, so they’re hoping for a few days of dry, sunny weather.
While Midwest farmers are facing high harvest costs due to record breaking fuel prices, they have also been hammered by high winds and rain that has kept them out of fields and causing damage to crops that haven’t yet been harvested. Some corn and soybean farmers are finding seeds on the end of corn ears or in soybean pods that are sprouting due to the wet conditions.
High diesel fuel prices have encouraged both Minnesota and Indiana to allow red‑dyed, tax‑exempt farm diesel to be used on highways, which would usually cost farmers a stiff fine if they were caught driving their farm trucks on public roads using thethat fuel. The White House is also considering allowing less restrictions on the use of red-dyed fuel nationwide, but there are no details yet.
Congress isn’t making much progress on drafting a new farm bill, and the 2018 farm bill extension that was passed for third time on September 30th of 2025 expired last Wednesday. So if Congress fails to enact a new farm bill or punt a new extension by Dec. 31, USDA would be forced to revert to permanent law, that would triggering commodity support based on outdated 1930s and 1940s price formulas. The farm bill governs many federal farm safety net programs, conservation efforts, crop insurance support and food assistance programs. The hold up of final passage of the bill is apparently due the house and senate not agreeing on some parts of this legislation. But if Congress drops the ball by failing to enact a new farm bill or not agreeing to another extension of the 2018 legislation by Dec. 31st, USDA would be forced to revert to the permanent law. But aparently, it seems that rather than finish a new farm bill, some Republicans want to attach farm aid to a defense spending package. But there is concern that agricultural producers wouldn’t receive any aid until spring of 2027.
Last week, President Trump got some push back for his attempt to lower beef prices by importing beef that would lower prices for U.S. consumers, but that strategy is expected to be detrimental to U.S beef producers. U.S. Iowa Republican House of Representatives member Zac Nunn and Democratic Representative Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, introduced the “Banning External Entry of Foreign Beef Act.” They are calling for congressional oversight of future beef import decisions from the executive branch. If passed, the Beef Act would also create a Beef Import and Domestic Supply Advisory Board, that would be tasked with developing strategies for rebuilding the U.S. beef herd, that has declined significantly over the past decade. Nunn stated in a press release, that lowering beef prices for Iowa families and supporting our cattle producers should go hand-in-hand, and “If we want more affordable beef for the long term, we need more American beef being raised and produced here at home.”
Award winning journalist and television writer Andy Rooney wrote, "Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.”
