Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Discover insights, trends, ag market outlooks and other topical information as it relates to the Northeast's diverse agricultural industries. Brought to you by Knowledge Exchange from Farm Credit East.
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Knowledge Exchange Partner

Knowledge Exchange Partner

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Clears H-2A Path for Dairy Employers

A new USCIS policy is opening the door for dairy producers to access the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a workforce option that has long been out of reach for year-round dairy operations. This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner discusses how the updated guidance could help dairies address labor shortages, support seasonal workforce planning and navigate new petition requirements moving forward. Republished with permission courtesy of Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law.

July 7, 2026

Cow milking facility and mechanized milking equipment

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

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Public Policy
2026 Farm Bill Takes Shape: Comparing the House and Senate Proposals

After nearly three years of short-term extensions, Congress is once again debating and drafting comprehensive farm legislation. In May, the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), while in late June Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (AR) released the Agricultural Act of 2026, a “discussion draft” providing the Senate a starting point for negotiation with other committee members. 


July 7, 2026

Featured Webinar

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Business Tips and Tools
2026 Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit recently hosted Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 16, 2026

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Crop Insurance
Reminder: Fall Crop Sales Closing Deadline is September 30
The deadline to insure fall crops in the northeast for the 2026 crop year is September 30, 2025. Insurable fall crops include barley, forage production and wheat. Coverage availability varies by county.

August 11, 2025

Crop Insurance
Whole Farm Revenue Protection Just Got Better: What Farmers Need to Know Under the One Big Beautiful Bill

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill marks a pivotal moment for risk management in American agriculture. Among the most farmer-friendly changes is the overhaul of the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) program — an insurance policy designed to provide a safety net for diversified farms based on their historic revenue. 

August 07, 2025

cow and calf stand in the pasture
Crop Insurance
Risk Management Gets a Boost: LRP Beef on Dairy Coverage Explained

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) is a federally subsidized risk management program designed to protect against a decline in livestock prices, allowing producers to set a price floor and mitigate risk from marketplace volatility. 

July 22, 2025

Rows of corn stalks in a field with flood water covering the ground at dusk
Crop Insurance
Proactive Strategies for Business Success: Protecting your investment with crop insurance

While we can’t predict the future, we can certainly plan for the unexpected, and crop insurance is an important tool to help producers do just that. Ag businesses that are eligible for crop or livestock insurance should consider the value risk management tools can provide. So, what are the next steps for protecting your investment with crop insurance?

July 15, 2025

Northeast Economic Engine

Download Farm Credit East’s Northeast Economic Engine report, which analyzes the economic impact of the Northeast agriculture, forest products, commercial fishing and food manufacturing industries. This report was released in October 2024. 

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Cover of the 2024 Economic Impact report