The Dirt
Rural America Still Can’ t Get a Doctor
92 % of rural counties are primary care shortage areas. Nearly 200 counties lack a single primary care doctor.
A $ 50 billion rural health fund is coming, but until implementation matters, rural families keep driving farther, waiting longer and filling fewer facilities with new, quality providers.
Tariffs Lifted on Brazilian Beef and Coffee
The U. S. reversed tariff hikes to cool inflation.
• Coffee might loosen
• Ground beef could soften slightly
• Big processors gain leverage
• Ranchers see extra competition in a tough year
Meanwhile, Americans aren’ t seeing much relief yet at checkout. I think my monthly grocery bill is more than my mortgage.
Half of U. S. Farms May Not Profit in 2025
Ag lenders expect only 52 % of farms to be profitable this year.
Their advice:
• Plan early
• Buy together
• Delay big purchases
• Stay close to lenders Translation: do more with less... again.
Screwworm Outbreak Keeps Border Shut
Mexico continues to fight screwworm— a parasite( fly) that literally eats live tissue.
The U. S. Department of Agriculture( USDA) closed cattle imports to prevent a disaster.
Texas is testing aggressively due to exposure risk, but there are no confirmed cases of spread in Texas herds, and officials are aiming to keep it that way.
Tiny pests can break big systems. This headline proves it.
Congress Accidentally Nuked Hemp... Then Said,“ Maybe Not”
A late rule change would effectively ban most hemp products. Kentucky lawmakers objected immediately. The rule doesn’ t start for a year— buying time for sciencebased regulation rather than surprise demolition.
Honorable Mentions
( What we didn’ t have room for on the porch railing)
• Mexico vs. GMO corn restrictions continue
• Mississippi River freight improves
• Fertilizer prices steady-but-high
• Avian flu monitoring ramps
• Methane policy adjustments likely ahead
• Congress eyeing rural childcare and workforce supports
• Farm Bill still stuck— lots of noise, little motion
THE DIRT BOTTOM LINE Agriculture isn’ t boring; it’ s pretty dramatic and sometimes plays out like a Marvel movie. So, each month we sift the policy mud, market mess and industry chaos— delivering news you can use with humor you can handle.
Because sometimes you simply need to laugh so you don’ t cry.
34 | 800-247-2000 | 515-955-1600 | January 2026