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Secretary Perdue Swears In USDA’s Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today administered the oath of office to swear in Donald “DJ” LaVoy to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary.
 
“DJ LaVoy brings decades of leadership in economic development and affordable housing to this role and we are excited to welcome him to our USDA team,” Secretary Perdue said. “DJ has effectively led large-scale IT innovation, interagency relationships, and public-private partnerships to improve government customer service and the quality of life for Americans across the country. DJ is well equipped to fight for rural America’s economic prosperity and development, working hard to fulfill one of President Trump’s top priorities.”
 
 
About Donald “DJ” LaVoy:
An experienced leader who focuses on people and effective management outcomes, DJ LaVoy has more than 22 years of experience working as a leader in affordable housing and economic development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most recently, LaVoy served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) where he was highly effective in driving agency innovation. LaVoy led the replacement of numerous, outdated IT data collection systems with data streaming, and web portals architecture in a cloud environment. LaVoy also partnered with members of the federal family and all 58 State Housing Finance Agencies to lead the way in establishing a universal inspection standard for federally subsidized properties. The standard will increase customer service and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country. LaVoy started his career with the United States Marine Corps and is a marine aviator and combat veteran. He earned his Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Old Dominion University and his Master of Industrial Engineering from U.S. Army War College.
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USDA Feb Crop Report a WIN for Soybeans + 1 Year Trade Truce Extension

Video: USDA Feb Crop Report a WIN for Soybeans + 1 Year Trade Truce Extension


USDA took Trumps comments that China would buy more U.S. soybeans seriously and headline news that the U.S./China trade truce would be extended when Trump/Xi meet in the first week of April was a BIG WIN for soybeans this week! 2026 “Mini” U.S. ethanol boom thanks to 45Z + China’s ban of phosphates from Feb. – August of 2026 will not help lower fertilizer prices anytime soon! 30 mmt of Chinese corn harvest is of poor quality and maybe a technical breakout in wheat futures.

*Apologies! Where we talk about the latest CFTC update as of 10th Feb 2026, managed money funds covered their net short position in canola to the tune of +42,746 week-on-week to flip to net long 145 contracts and not (as we mistakenly said) +90,009 wk/wk to 47,408.