This week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Data Modernization Plan to put Farmers First, reduce unnecessary burdens on producers, and improve the timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of the data that informs agricultural decisions. USDA data informs crop and livestock estimates, risk-management tools, disaster assistance, and critical business decisions made by farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, researchers, and policymakers. In February 2026, Secretary Rollins issued a Request for Information seeking feedback on the opportunities, challenges, and emerging areas in USDA data. That feedback helped shape the USDA Data Modernization Plan and its four pillars: Modernize the Data Reporting Experience: USDA will expand use of administrative data, improve mobile access to surveys, explore opportunities to use prefilled information where appropriate, and strengthen coordination across the Department. These changes will reduce duplicative requests and limit the amount of time producers spend reporting information. Enhance Acreage and Yield Estimation: USDA will conduct a pilot to evaluate the use of improved satellite imagery, geospatial tools, crop models, and other emerging technologies combined with essential producer-reported information to enhance acreage and yield estimations. USDA will also assess the use of optional field inputs to enhance and ground truth yield estimates and continue advancing yield research through collaboration with agricultural partners and land-grant universities. Integrate Data and Technology Platforms: USDA will modernize its technology infrastructure, expand secure data-sharing capabilities, and evaluate the responsible use of tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Better integrated systems will improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and allow USDA to produce more timely and useful information. Expand Trust and Transparency with Producers: USDA will protect producer privacy, clearly explain why information is requested and how it is used, and create additional opportunities for producers to provide feedback. USDA will also improve communication surrounding reports, methodologies, response rates, and data limitations. USDA will begin implementing actions under the plan immediately and will continue engaging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural stakeholders throughout the process. The Department will evaluate new approaches carefully, protect privacy and confidentiality, and publish clear methodologies and supporting information to maintain the integrity of USDA’s agricultural statistics. See USDA’s Full Data Modernization Plan
EPA has granted 1.76 billion RIN exemptions to small refiners, raising concerns among farmers and biofuel producers about the potential impact on demand for renewable fuel.
News from IL Corn for week ending 8/28/26
New tariffs on Canadian goods took effect August 22, a critical market for U.S. agriculture. For Illinois farmers, the concern is what these tariffs could mean for demand.
A proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would create the first true transcontinental Class I railroad in the United States, what does it mean for farmers
Get to know volunteer Southern Illinois farmer Matt Raben - New IL Corn Marketing Board Chair
Behind the Numbers: What's Really Driving Nutrient Loss in Illinois
Record U.S. corn and ethanol exports highlight growing global demand, with Canada and Mexico playing key roles in strong markets for farmers.
Applications are now open for the 2027 GrassRoots Orientation to Washington, D.C. (GR.O.W.) program through IL Corn
45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit is moving closer to implementation, and farmers should understand how their farming practices play a role in the value of the credit.