Did you miss some news this week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a collection of the top headlines in agriculture.

Did climate change fuel the LA wildfires?

Did climate change fuel the wildfires that are sweeping through the Los Angeles Basin? In addition to higher temperatures drying out vegetation, experts say the lack of rainfall has been unusual, and it’s likely related to climate change. “More erratic and extreme precipitation patterns – drier dry periods and wetter wet periods – are extending the fire season,” said Max Moritz. “We still haven't started our typical fall and winter rains, and it's January!” – Western Farm Press

Secretary of Agriculture confirmation hearing scheduled

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will hold a confirmation hearing for Secretary of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins next Thursday, Jan. 23. “I don’t think she’s going to have any problems at all with the confirmation,” says John Boozman, chair of the Senate agriculture committee. “We want to get her started as soon as possible as the leadership that we need so that we can get a farm bill passed and just do the day-to-day things that our farmers depend on.” – Farm Progress

California withdraws request to ban diesel semi-trucks

California’s efforts to limit pollution from diesel-powered trains and big rigs were stalled in anticipation of pushback from the incoming Trump administration, AP News reports. The EPA had yet to approve requests to implement stricter emissions rules for locomotives and semis, including a rule to phase out the sale of new diesel-powered semis and buses by 2036. – AP News

Livestock producers denounce revised grizzly bear listing

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council criticized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s revised grizzly bear listing and their rejection of state petitions to delist grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act. “This proposed rule and rejected delisting petitions do nothing but move the goalposts for species recovery and deny sound science,” said NCBA Director of Government Affairs Garrett Edmonds. – BEEF Magazine

FTC sues Deere over right to repair

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has prepared a lawsuit against tractor giant Deere & Co. alleging the company’s agricultural equipment repair practices violate competition laws. A spokeswoman for Deere declined to comment on the FTC, but said the company has been taking steps to improve its self-repair program. – Bloomberg

USDA withdraws rule defining unfair practices in meat markets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture withdrew a rule that would have positioned the department to ramp up enforcement against anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service said it dropped the latest rule following “considerable feedback,” including questions about potential economic impacts of the proposal. The rule was vulnerable to be challenged under President-elect Donald Trump. – Agriculture Dive

USDA announces 2025 ARC and PLC, DMC program signups

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs – Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage as well as Dairy Margin Coverage. Farmers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency for ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year from Jan. 21 to April 15 and for DMC for the 2025 coverage year from Jan. 29 to March 31. – USDA