Farm Bill Stalls in Senate Ag Committee: Kansas Farmers Union leader Nick Levendofsky says the Aug. 6 failure to move the farm bill forward—tied to SNAP-related reconciliation cuts and tight margins, with Sen. Mitch McConnell absent—puts passage this year in doubt. Cotton Pest Watch: Georgia’s first discovery of the cotton jassid in June has been followed by rising detections across the lower Southeast, with Extension specialists planning updates for the rest of the season. Food Safety Recalls Hit Retailers: Taylor Farms is recalling jalapeño-containing prepared foods (including salsa and guacamole) after a salmonella-linked pepper recall tied to Sinaloa, Mexico; major chains including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s are affected. Cyclospora Fallout Continues: A new FDA report details the scale of the iceberg lettuce cyclosporiasis recall tied to Taylor Farms, naming major retail and restaurant brands that pulled large volumes of product. Weather Stress on Crops and Prices: Northwest Ohio remains abnormally dry while central Michigan stays in moderate drought, and extreme heat is also driving “heatflation” concerns as livestock deaths and produce prices rise. Water Crisis Pressure: Lake Mead hit a record-low level, underscoring growing risks for farmers and water users across the Colorado River Basin. Soy Policy and Energy Link: Indiana’s Ag Policy Summit highlighted how the American Soybean Association and United Soybean Board work alongside energy and grid policy discussions.