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

Trump’s executive orders: What they mean for farmers

Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office on a mission to revamp the government. Following his 30-minute inauguration address, Trump began issuing executive orders well into the evening. Many of those could have major implications for farmers and the agriculture industry. From tariffs and immigration crackdowns to national energy policies and E15 waivers, here’s what agriculture stakeholders need to know about the president’s first actions. – Farm Progress

What if Farmtok disappears?

The future of TikTok — and “Farmtok” — has become more uncertain, thanks to a brief ban implemented by the U.S. government over the weekend. That was followed by the new Trump administration rescinding that ban, at least for now, but farmers are all too aware that things could change, and with them, the ways that they share farm life with the rest of the world.

See how farmers like Zoe Kent are adapting to social media changes. “It’s building your business on rented land, if you will,” Kent said. “It’s not guaranteed to be there.” – AP News

Cattle markets bullish but cautious in 2025

What’s ahead for cattle markets this year? Experts say low cattle inventories and tight supplies will continue to dominate cattle and beef markets. Despite reduced beef cow slaughter in 2024, limited inventories of replacement heifers are expected to result in a smaller beef cow herd. Beef production is expected to decrease roughly four percent year over year with feedlot inventories falling to reflect tighter supplies of feeder cattle. – Southwest Farm Press

Brooke Rollins testifies before Senate ag committee

Brooke Rollins was still smiling after nearly four hours of testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry on Thursday. Committee Republicans universally praised her for her agriculture roots and government experience. While Democrats offered some pointed questions, their exchanges with Rollins remained mostly cordial, if not downright friendly. Check out the highlights from policy editor Joshua Baethge. – Farm Progress

Rare southern snowstorm brings risk to farms

A severe winter storm enveloping Texas and other Southern states has left ranchers scrambling to protect their cattle, and it is creating new risks for some fruit and citrus growers. Peaches, apples, blueberries and other fruit trees often require a chilling period to properly grow, so the cold weather is welcome news. However, for citrus fruits like oranges, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can negatively affect production. – Agriculture Dive

Top corn, soybean and wheat diseases to watch in ’25

Basing which diseases to watch in 2025 on what happened in 2024 is far from foolproof, but it can provide a place to start for this year. University of Missouri’s 2024 Annual Report for Field Crops shares what diseases are on the rise for corn, soybeans and wheat, including corn stunt, tar spot, phytophthora rots, wheat streak mosaic virus and more. – Missouri Ruralist

Drone research offers mixed findings

When you fly your spray drone and plan on covering 20 feet, how much area are you covering? Purdue University graduate research assistant Hunter Medenwald says the answer is simple: It varies. “Spray coverage is only occurring really highly in the center,” Medenwald says. “That’s where our weed control data was — in the center of that swath. It’s those outer regions that are really concerning.” Learn more about the research findings. – Indiana Prairie Farmer