30th Annual Commodity Classic held in Texas
Every year, farmers and ag industry stakeholders from across the nation gather for the Commodity Classic – America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational event presented annually by the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in conjunction with the National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
The 30th Annual Commodity Classic was held in San Antonio, Texas from Feb. 24-27 and broke attendance records for the second year in a row, garnering attendance from more than 12,000 farmers, exhibitors, industry stakeholders and media, according to a March 4 press release issued by NCGA.
The event featured more than 30 educational sessions, a full trade show spanning two floors and policy meetings hosted by sponsoring commodity associations and attendees also heard from leading farmers, policymakers and industry experts, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, on issues shaping the future of agriculture.
Farmer focus
Conversations on trade and tariffs, year-round sales of E15 and the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) took center stage during the Commodity Classic, according to a March 5 American Ag Network article.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall shares several thoughts on these issues in a conversation with American Ag Network, highlighting both optimism and areas of concern on topics from tariffs to biofuels.
Regarding ongoing un-certainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s efforts to impose a sweeping tariff on imports from Canada, China and Mexico, Duvall advocates for exemptions on certain agricultural necessities should a “blanket global tariff” take effect.
“If the president would at least exempt some of the costs of the products we consume like fertilizer, crop protection tools, equipment and metal, it might lessen the blow,” Duvall says. “We depend on foreign trade, and we need a level playing field.”
Turning his attention to the upcoming USMCA review scheduled to take place in July, Duvall reiterates Mexico and Canada are two of the U.S.’s most crucial agricultural trading partners.
Since provisions in the USMCA are already complementary to American agriculture, Duvall emphasizes a “do no harm” approach to ag policy he hopes the president will carry into negotiations.
“I know the president appreciates farmers and ranchers, and I think at the end of the day, he’ll make sure USMCA delivers the satisfaction and certainty it brings to agriculture,” Duvall states. “We need to continue to put pressure on and make sure everybody understands how important USMCA is to agriculture.”
Duvall further notes his optimism is high regarding the potential for successful legislation allowing year-round sales of E15 – a gasoline and ethanol fuel blend which helps boost demand for U.S. corn, lower gas prices and strengthen American energy security.
In particular, Duvall emphasizes AFBF is working on finding a vehicle bill to carry the policy forward, as well as focusing efforts on proving the positive impact AFBF believes year-round E15 sales would have on increasing job opportunities in small refineries.
Duvall highlights in-creased cooperation and discussion through the biofuel and petroleum sectors with farmers and ranchers, resulting in better understanding of the benefits having year-round E15 could bring to the nation.
“We’re having more conversations on Capitol Hill and through this administration than we ever have on the subject,” Duvall states. “I feel good about it.”
USDA priorities
During a well-attended general session on Feb. 26, Rollins addresses a vast crowd of American farmers and touches on key topics including trade and export conditions, input costs and farm policy progress.
As noted in a March 2 Farm Progress article, the secretary’s address outlines five core priorities the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be focusing on in 2026 including deregulating regulatory burdens, increasing trade deals, lowering input costs, expanding biofuel markets and strengthening the farm safety net.
On the topic of trade, the Farm Progress article notes Rollins acknowledges some trade agreements have stalled in light of recent tariff negotiations but also highlights progress being made with 15 nations or trade bodies including the European Union, United Kingdom, Japan and Mexico.
A March 9 Midwest Messenger article by Katelyn Winberg adds Rollins’ address also includes comments on input costs – one of the most pressing issues affecting American farm families today.
Rollins says heightened input costs throughout a five-year period from 2020-25 combined with a weakened agricultural trade market led to many challenges for American producers – a deficit the Trump administration has focused on correcting throughout the past year by strengthening farm programs and rebuilding export markets.
She emphasizes several agricultural sectors saw export gains in 2025, including corn exports increasing by 29 percent, dairy exports rising 14 percent and ethanol exports increasing by 11 percent, according to Winberg.
In addition, Rollins highlights crop insurance improvements and farm business tax benefits outlined in recent federal legislation are expected to provide relief to farmers throughout the upcoming year.
The article notes Rollins also announced USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative which will create a unified digital record to follow producers across USDA agencies, replacing multiple separate systems and reducing paperwork requirements.
Overall, Rollins’ address emphasizes the Trump administration continues to focus on strengthening agricultural markets and improving farm programs in the face of ongoing challenges facing U.S. producers.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
