2026 Priorities: Rollins announces USDA research and development priorities for the year ahead
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced new research and development priorities for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), signing a secretary’s memorandum on Dec. 30, 2025 to refocus federally-funded research on strengthening farm profitability, expanding markets and protecting the nation’s agricultural security.
The directive establishes a strategic roadmap for USDA research investments in 2026, with an emphasis on what the department describes as “a return to American principles and realigning the department’s focus towards its original objectives of maximizing and promoting American agriculture.”
Background information
According to the memorandum, the U.S. ag industry has faced significant challenges over the past several years, including rising input costs tied to inflation, limited progress on trade expansion, increasing regulatory burdens and growing threats from pests and disease.
The department also reports previous research priorities emphasizing diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) and environmental justice diverted resources away from addressing production and profitability challenges facing producers.
Rollins notes, since January 2025, the Trump administration has worked to strengthen the farm safety net, create new export opportunities, lower input costs and eliminate DEI initiatives from USDA programs.
She also shares the department views strategic investments in research and development as critical components of long-term agricultural competitiveness.
“When he created the People’s Department and the land-grant university system in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln had a vision for American agriculture rooted in agricultural innovation and education,” Rollins says in the corresponding press release. “Since that time, research coming from USDA and our colleges of agriculture have successfully helped American farmers and ranchers address countless challenges.”
“The priorities we are announcing further reiterates President Donald Trump’s commitment to put farmers first and provides our agricultural researchers with a strategic roadmap to help keep our producers at the forefront of productivity,” she adds.
Priority areas
Under the memorandum, all USDA-funded research must focus on projects addressing one or more of five core priorities.
The first priority is increasing the profitability of farmers and ranchers.
Rollins notes the USDA should prioritize research to help producers manage volatility and uncertainty by reducing input costs, increasing efficiency and expanding mechanization and automation.
The second priority is expanding markets and creating new uses for U.S. ag products.
With many producers experiencing record yields, Rollins says USDA research aimed at opening new domestic and international markets is critical. This includes generating scientific data to resolve longstanding sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers and developing new biobased products and bioenergy uses including biofuels.
Protecting the U.S. ag industry from invasive species is USDA’s third priority.
In the memorandum, Rollins cites threats such as the resurgence of the New World screwworm, the spread of spotted lanternfly, the persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza and citrus greening disease, noting future research on prevention, detection, control and eradication of pests and disease will be top priority.
Promoting soil health and long-term land productivity is fourth on the list.
The department emphasizes farmers and ranchers are long-term stewards of the land and says research promoting soil health practices, improved water use efficiency and reduced inputs will help ensure continued productivity.
Improving human health through precision nutrition and food quality is the department’s fifth and final priority for 2026.
Rollins says USDA will support research on how dietary patterns affect individuals and explore ways to increase the nutritional quality of foods with the goal of improving public health and increasing demand for U.S. ag products.
Implementation and coordination
To conclude, the memorandum directs all USDA agencies and staff offices to align new research and development activities with these five priorities to the maximum extent permitted by law.
It also notes the undersecretary for research, education and economics will coordinate implementation within USDA and work with other federal partners to address shared agricultural challenges.
The department states the policy does not create enforceable rights or benefits and will be implemented consistent with existing laws and regulations. It further notes the shift in research priorities reflects growing recognition farm security is national security and maintaining a safe, abundant and affordable food and fiber supply is essential to the nation’s long-term economic and strategic interests.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
