Arizona Agriculture Connection-Ag Report 7.9.25

Real Families. Real Farms. Real Food.

Welcome back, Arizona Aggies, to another edition of the Arizona Agriculture Connection. This week, we have important updates from the Arizona legislature and significant developments on both the state and federal levels.

Arizona Legislative News

As of June 27th, we can celebrate the adjournment of the Arizona legislature. Governor Hobbs has been particularly active, signing several measures into law. Of particular interest to the agricultural community is the signing of Senator Shope's SB 1611, the Ag to Urban Bill. This new legislation is set to take effect on September 26th, 2025, and promises to impact Arizona's agricultural landscape significantly.

Federal Developments

On the federal front, President Trump's HR1, popularly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has passed the US House of Representatives, narrowly achieving a 218 to 214 majority. The president officially signed it into law on the Fourth of July. This legislation is expected to have vast ramifications and opportunities for agricultural stakeholders.

Resources for Farmers

The Arizona Farm Bureau has expanded its online resources, now offering guidance on identifying and managing New World screwworm infestations. For detailed guidelines and resources, farmers can visit the Arizona Farm Bureau's website at azfb.org.

Economic Insight

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released insights into the widening agricultural trade deficit. As of 2025, the United States imported $78.2 billion in agricultural products from January through April, while exports stood at $58.5 billion, resulting in a record-high $19.7 billion deficit for the first quarter of the year.

Upcoming Events

This week also marks the annual summer leadership conference in Flagstaff, where members of Arizona's agricultural community are gathering to discuss and strategize for the future. Be sure to stay tuned for next week's edition, where we'll feature a live podcast recorded during the conference. You won't want to miss insights from Sine Kerr, the Executive Director of the Arizona Farm Service Agency.

Thank you for tuning in to another week with Arizona Agriculture Connection. We look forward to bringing you more updates next Wednesday.