Ag Policy - Environmental
USDA Settles Decades of Uncertainty Over Swampbuster Wetland Determinations
USDA's interim final rule resolves decades of uncertainty by recognizing qualifying wetland determinations made since 1990 as certified.
WASHINGTON (DTN) — Last week, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service published an interim final rule clarifying that wetland determinations made by the agency since 1990...
Nebraska Water Rights: SCOTUS Reviews Claims Colorado Illegally Diverted Water
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Nebraska's complaint against Colorado over alleged violations of the 1923 South Platte River Compact involving illegal water diversions and canal obstruction.
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a water dispute between Nebraska and Colorado that involves allegations from Nebraska...
Coalition Calls ‘Nitrate Inaction’ an ‘Egregious Dereliction of Duty’ by EPA
More than 80 environmental groups urged the Trump administration to address nitrate pollution in waterways, citing links to cancer and agricultural contamination sources.
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) — A coalition of more than 80 environmental groups asked the Trump administration to reduce nitrate pollution in lakes, rivers and groundwater,...
Court Turns Away Poultry Settlements in Illinois River Watershed Pollution Case
A federal court rejected multi-million-dollar settlements between Oklahoma and poultry companies over Illinois River phosphorous pollution, finding the agreements fell far short of the court's December 2025 judgment.
This article was originally published at 7:14 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, April 14. It was last updated with additional information at 10:09 a.m. CDT on...
EPA Eases DEF Sensor Rules, But Keeps DEF Emission Requirements in Place
EPA did not eliminate diesel exhaust fluid rules, which have been a problem for farmers and truck drivers because of failure rates, but issued new guidance last week, giving major machinery manufacturers more flexibility in how they monitor exhaust emissions. Farmers will also have more opportunities to make repairs on the DEF sensors under EPA's guidance.
This article was originally posted at 3:24 p.m. CDT on Monday, March 30. It was updated with additional information at 3:48 p.m. CDT on Monday,...
EPA Delays Lawsuit Against Idaho Ranch as CWA Settlement Talks Continue
An Idaho ranch accused of Clean Water Act violations for disrupting Bruneau River wetlands is negotiating an EPA settlement as attorneys seek a case delay.
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) — An Idaho ranch facing allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act is negotiating a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection...
Texas Prepares for Growing Disasters as EPA Ignores the Risk
The Texas state agriculture commissioner said the state needs to better prepare for agricultural disasters. At the same time, the Trump administration moved ahead with the president's desire to end EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. The National Academies of Science highlighted the tie between weather disasters and climate change.
OMAHA (DTN) — Two announcements landed within hours of each other on Thursday that together say more about the country’s direction than either one did...
Environmentalists Sue Over Delayed Monarch Butterfly Protections as Extinction Risk Grows
Two conservation groups sued the federal government on Thursday and are seeking a binding deadline for finalizing federal protections of the monarch butterfly.
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) — Two conservation groups argue in a new lawsuit that a continued delay in implementing federal protections for the monarch butterfly is...
Glyphosate Faces Uncertain Future as Lawsuits Mount and Science is Questioned
No. 9 on DTN's list of the Top 10 Ag Stories of 2025 is glyphosate's struggles and survival.
Editor’s Note: Each year, DTN publishes our choices for the Top 10 ag new stories of the year — issues and events — as selected...
Trump Releases New WOTUS Rule Defining Key Terms Important to Farms, Ranches
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) — The Trump administration on Monday released a proposal to redefine waters of the U.S. to conform with the Supreme Court’s ruling...