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National Edition · April 03, 2026
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Action Deadlines
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CSP Application Ranking
Deadline: May 01, 2026. NRCS CSP application ranking period. Check your state NRCS for exact dates.
Here's how CSP works: you apply, then NRCS ranks all applications in your state and picks winners. The ranking period varies by state. Check with your local NRCS office for exact dates.
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Agriculture News
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Spring volatility expected in winter wheat prices
Farm Progress
Ethanol exports jumped 36% year-over-year in February at 209.9 million gallons, though monthly volume dipped 1%. Watch export demand closely—it may support corn prices into spring, but winter wheat volatility from weather and acreage shifts could squeeze margins either direction. |
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Auctions
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Four major auctions hit the same day—April 3rd—across the Northern Plains. American Ag's spring equipment sale runs 9am in Belle Fourche, SD; Verdigre Stockyards opens feeder cattle at 11am (weigh-ups 9am) in Nebraska. Fort Scott Livestock and Jossund in Minnesota also run same-day. Stagger your schedule or you'll miss competing prices on cattle or iron. |
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Market Prices
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Livestock as of 04/02/2026 (USDA daily)
| DAILY CATTLE (/ CWT) |
$351.24 |
| DAILY HOGS (/ CWT) |
$88.41 |
| CORN (/ BU) |
$4.10 ↓4.4% YoY |
| SOYBEANS (/ BU) |
$10.30 ↑3.0% YoY |
| WHEAT (/ BU) |
$5.01 ↓9.2% YoY |
| HAY (/ TON) |
$131.00 ↓9.0% YoY |
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Grants & Funding
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Only one program here targets working farmers directly: the Veterinary Services Grant (closes Apr 16, 2026) may help if you employ or partner with rural vets—but it's geared toward veterinarians, not operators. The water and wood programs fund infrastructure and agencies, not farm operations. Check if your vet's practice qualifies; otherwise these funds may not reach your operation. |
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Recent USDA Awards
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Lincoln County grabbed $191M for watershed work—largest chunk going to erosion and runoff control, not typical disaster aid. Boll weevil program still moving $8M annually, wildfire defense grants now active at $8.7M. Check if your county qualifies for watershed protection money; these programs rarely get full takeup. |
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Subsidy Payments
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$16.2B flowed to farmers last year, but half went to just 10% of operations—mostly larger outfits in the Corn Belt and Great Plains. Worth checking your county's numbers against neighbors to see where the concentration sits near you. |
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Drought Status
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Fifty-six percent of the continental U.S. is abnormally dry or worse—highest level since 2012. Matters because drought designation triggers LFP eligibility and may affect crop insurance premium adjustments. Check your county's status on the weekly drought monitor; designation timing can shift you between program tiers. |
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FarmGrant • #2200 2309 Gilmer Rd Ste 101, Longview, TX 75604
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Farm financial intel — data from USDA, Grants.gov, USASpending.gov. Not legal or financial advice.
© 2026 FarmGrant. Data sourced from USDA, Grants.gov, and USASpending.gov.
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