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MIL-OSI: Skyward Specialty Insurance Group Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOUSTON, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SKWD) (“Skyward Specialty” or the “Company”) today reported second quarter 2025 net income of $38.8 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, compared to $31.0 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the same 2024 period. Net income for the first half of 2025 was $80.9 million, or $1.94 per diluted share, compared to $67.8 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, for the same 2024 period.

Adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ for the second quarter of 2025 was $37.1 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to $33.0 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, for the same 2024 period. Adjusted operating income⁽¹⁾ for the first half of 2025 was $74.5 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $63.9 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, for the same 2024 period.

Highlights for the second quarter included:

Gross written premiums of $584.9 million, an increase of 17.9% compared to 2024;
Combined ratio of 89.4%;
Ex-Cat combined ratio of 88.0%;
Annualized return on equity of 19.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2025; and,
Book value per share of $22.23, an increase of 12% compared to December 31, 2024.

⁽¹⁾See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures”

Skyward Specialty Chairman and CEO Andrew Robinson commented, “Our results for the second quarter and for the first half of the year have been outstanding and reflect the strength of our specialized underwriting and claims capabilities, and our execution excellence. In an increasingly challenging market environment, our 18% growth for the second quarter and best ever 89.4% combined ratio are again a demonstration of the power of our portfolio diversity and our ability to deploy capital to attractive markets that enable us to grow underwriting profitability while managing our volatility. As market conditions continue to evolve, we are confident that the disciplined execution of our “Rule Our Niche” strategy will enable us to continue to deliver top quartile returns to our shareholders.”

Results of Operations

Underwriting Results

Premiums
($ in thousands)	Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
unaudited	2025			2024			% Change		2025			2024			% Change
Gross written premiums	$	584,914		$	496,243		17.9	%	$	1,120,240		$	954,863		17.3	%
Ceded written premiums	$	(245,701	)	$	(199,114	)	23.4	%	$	(437,756	)	$	(370,634	)	18.1	%
Net retention	58.0		%	59.9		%	NM	⁽¹⁾	60.9		%	61.2		%	NM	⁽¹⁾
Net written premiums	$	339,213		$	297,129		14.2	%	$	682,484		$	584,229		16.8	%
Net earned premiums	$	295,542		$	257,583		14.7	%	$	595,908		$	493,925		20.6	%
⁽¹⁾ Not meaningful

The increases in gross written premiums for the second quarter and first half of 2025, when compared to the same 2024 periods, were driven by double-digit premium growth from the agriculture and credit (re)insurance, specialty programs, accident & health and captives divisions. The increases in gross written premiums were partially offset by decreases in the global property and construction & energy solutions divisions.

Combined Ratio	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)	2025		2024		2025		2024
Non-cat loss and LAE	59.9	%	60.6	%	60.1	%	60.6	%
Cat loss and LAE⁽¹⁾	1.4	%	1.2	%	1.8	%	0.8	%
Prior accident year development – LPT	0.0	%	(0.1	)%	0.0	%	(0.1	)%
Loss Ratio	61.3	%	61.7	%	61.9	%	61.3	%
Net policy acquisition costs	15.1	%	14.0	%	15.0	%	13.7	%
Other operating and general expenses	13.9	%	15.8	%	13.9	%	15.9	%
Commission and fee income	(0.9	)%	(0.8	)%	(0.8	)%	(0.8	)%
Expense ratio	28.1	%	29.0	%	28.1	%	28.8	%
Combined ratio	89.4	%	90.7	%	90.0	%	90.1	%
Ex-Cat Combined Ratio⁽²⁾	88.0	%	89.5	%	88.2	%	89.3	%

⁽¹⁾ Current accident year
⁽²⁾ Defined as the combined ratio excluding cat loss and LAE⁽¹⁾

The loss ratio for the second quarter improved 0.4 points and it increased 0.6 points for the first half of 2025, when compared to the same 2024 periods, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the second quarter increased marginally when compared to the same 2024 period, driven by convective storms in the South and Midwest. The first half of 2025 was also impacted by convective storms in the Midwest and the California wildfires.

The non-cat loss and LAE ratios for the second quarter and first half of 2025 improved 0.7 points and 0.5 points, respectively, when compared to the same 2024 periods, primarily driven by the business mix shift.

The expense ratios for the second quarter and first half of 2025 improved 0.9 points and 0.7 points, respectively, when compared to the same 2024 periods due to earnings leverage partially offset by higher acquisition costs due to the business mix shift.

The expense ratios for all periods presented exclude the impact of IPO related stock compensation and secondary offering expenses, which are reported in other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Investment Results

Net Investment Income
$ in thousands	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)	2025			2024			2025			2024
Short-term investments & cash and cash equivalents	$	4,574		$	4,021		$	8,615		$	9,108
Fixed income	17,822			13,786			34,552			26,264
Equities	531			751			1,188			1,378
Alternative & strategic investments	(4,338		)	3,476			(6,428		)	3,581
Net investment income	$	18,589		$	22,034		$	37,927		$	40,331
Net unrealized (losses) gains on securities still held	$	(3,181	)	$	(1,760	)	$	2,310		$	7,231
Net realized gains (losses)	6,386			(39		)	7,729			(649		)
Net investment gains (losses)	$	3,205		$	(1,721	)	$	10,039		$	6,582

Net investment income for the second quarter and first half of 2025 decreased $3.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively when compared to the same 2024 periods. The decreases were primarily driven by losses from our alternative & strategic investments portfolio due to the decline in the fair value of limited partnership investments. Partially offsetting the decreases were increases in income from our fixed income portfolio due to a higher yield and larger asset base.

Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity was $899.9 million at June 30, 2025 which represented an increase of 5.8% when compared to stockholders’ equity of $850.7 million at March 31, 2025. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to an increase in the market value of our investment portfolio and net income.

Conference Call

At 12:00 p.m. eastern time tomorrow, July 31, 2025, Skyward Specialty management will hold a conference call to discuss quarterly results with insurance industry analysts. Interested parties may listen to the discussion at investors.skywardinsurance.com under Events & Presentations. Additionally, investors can access the earnings call via conference call by registering via the conference link. Users will receive dial-in information and a unique PIN to join the call upon registering.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains certain financial measures and ratios that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). We refer to these measures as “non-GAAP financial measures.” We use these non-GAAP financial measures when planning, monitoring, and evaluating our performance.

We consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be useful metrics for our management and investors to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered supplemental in nature and is not meant to be a substitute for revenue or net income, in each case as recognized in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate such measures differently, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures. For more information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such measures to comparable GAAP financial measures, see the section entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

About Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.

Skyward Specialty is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through nine underwriting divisions – Accident & Health, Agriculture and Credit (Re)insurance, Captives, Construction & Energy Solutions, Global Property, Professional Lines, Specialty Programs, Surety and Transactional E&S. SKWD stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which represents the top fourth of all Nasdaq listed companies.

Skyward Specialty’s subsidiary insurance companies consist of Great Midwest Insurance Company, Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A (Excellent) with stable outlook by A.M. Best Company. Additional information about Skyward Specialty can be found on our website at www.skywardinsurance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all other information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified through use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “enable,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “intends,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “predict,” “probable,” “potential,” “possible,” “should,” “continue,” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. The most significant of these uncertainties are described in Skyward Specialty’s Form 10-K, and include (but are not limited to) legislative changes at both the state and federal level, state and federal regulatory rule making promulgations and adjudications, class action litigation involving the insurance industry and judicial decisions affecting claims, policy coverages and the general costs of doing business, the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel, the impact of competition on products and pricing, inflation in the costs of the products and services insurance pays for, product development, geographic spread of risk, weather and weather-related events, other types of catastrophic events, our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at prices and on terms that allow us to transfer risk and adequately protect our company against financial loss, and losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.

Investor contact:
Natalie Schoolcraft,
nschoolcraft@skywardinsurance.com
614-494-4988

or

Media contact:
Haley Doughty
hdoughty@skywardinsurance.com
713-935-4944


Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)	June 30, 2025			December 31, 2024
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (net of allowance for credit losses of $6,150 and $0, respectively) (amortized cost of $1,638,973 and $1,320,266, respectively)	$	1,629,464		$	1,292,218
Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (net of allowance for credit losses of $268 and $243, respectively)	35,253			39,153
Equity securities, at fair value	58,001			106,254
Mortgage loans, at fair value	10,168			26,490
Equity method investments	88,804			98,594
Other long-term investments	44,479			33,182
Short-term investments, at fair value	214,338			274,929
Total investments	2,080,507			1,870,820
Cash and cash equivalents	136,617			121,603
Restricted cash	36,547			35,922
Premiums receivable, net	518,441			321,641
Reinsurance recoverables, net	925,291			857,876
Ceded unearned premium	294,124			203,901
Deferred policy acquisition costs	140,903			113,183
Deferred income taxes	28,727			30,486
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	88,795			87,348
Other assets	86,440			86,698
Total assets	$	4,336,392		$	3,729,478
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	1,918,753		$	1,782,383
Unearned premiums	814,063			637,185
Deferred ceding commission	54,952			40,434
Reinsurance and premium payables	299,481			177,070
Funds held for others	127,377			102,665
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	102,298			76,206
Notes payable	100,000			100,000
Subordinated debt, net of debt issuance costs	19,553			19,536
Total liabilities	3,436,477			2,935,479
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 40,486,656 and 40,127,908 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	405			401
Additional paid-in capital	724,159			718,598
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,666		)	(22,120		)
Retained earnings	178,017			97,120
Total stockholders’ equity	899,915			793,999
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,336,392		$	3,729,478

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
($ in thousands)	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)	2025			2024			2025			2024

Revenues:
Net earned premiums	$	295,542		$	257,583		$	595,908		$	493,925
Commission and fee income	2,560			2,053			4,536			4,079
Net investment income	18,589			22,034			37,927			40,331
Net investment gains (losses)	3,205			(1,721		)	10,039			6,582
Other income (loss)	7			(7		)	20			(7		)
Total revenues	319,903			279,942			648,430			544,910
Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	181,262			159,054			368,571			302,968
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	85,596			76,679			172,147			146,453
Interest expense	1,876			2,449			3,710			5,176
Amortization expense	372			360			709			748
Other expenses	1,002			1,045			2,063			2,233
Total expenses	270,108			239,587			547,200			457,578
Income before income taxes	49,795			40,355			101,230			87,332
Income tax expense	10,956			9,385			20,333			19,578
Net income	$	38,839		$	30,970		$	80,897		$	67,754
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	38,839		$	30,970		$	80,897		$	67,754
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains and losses on investments:
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	11,005			(1,451		)	23,260			(6,869		)
Reclassification adjustment for losses on securities no longer held, net of tax	(3,624		)	(406		)	(3,806		)	(1,314		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	7,381			(1,857		)	19,454			(8,183		)
Comprehensive income	$	46,220		$	29,113		$	100,351		$	59,571

Share and Per Share Data
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)	2025			2024			2025			2024

Weighted average basic shares	40,445,391			39,177,457			40,322,051			39,142,825
Weighted average diluted shares	41,871,496			41,168,082			41,771,215			41,110,384

Basic earnings per share	$	0.96		$	0.79		$	2.01		$	1.73
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.93		$	0.75		$	1.94		$	1.65
Basic adjusted operating earnings per share	$	0.92		$	0.84		$	1.85		$	1.64
Diluted adjusted operating earnings per share	$	0.89		$	0.80		$	1.78		$	1.56

Annualized ROE ⁽¹⁾	17.7		%	17.5		%	19.1		%	19.6		%
Annualized adjusted ROE ⁽²⁾	17.0		%	18.7		%	17.6		%	18.5		%
Annualized ROTE ⁽³⁾	19.7		%	20.0		%	21.3		%	22.4		%
Annualized adjusted ROTE ⁽⁴⁾	18.9		%	21.3		%	19.6		%	21.2		%

							June 30			December 31
							2025			2024

Shares outstanding							40,486,656			40,127,908
Fully diluted shares outstanding							42,339,395			42,059,182

Book value per share							$	22.23		$	19.79
Fully diluted book value per share							$	21.25		$	18.88
Fully diluted tangible book value per share							$	19.16		$	16.80

⁽¹⁾ Annualized ROE is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period
⁽²⁾ Annualized adjusted ROE is adjusted operating income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period
⁽³⁾ Annualized ROTE is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending tangible stockholders’ equity during the period
⁽⁴⁾ Annualized adjusted ROTE is adjusted operating income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending tangible stockholders’ equity during the period

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted operating income – We define adjusted operating income as net income excluding the impact of certain items that may not be indicative of underlying business trends, operating results, or future outlook, net of tax impact. We use adjusted operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Adjusted operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define adjusted operating income differently.

($ in thousands)	Three months ended June 30,												Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)	2025						2024						2025						2024
	Pre-tax			After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax			Pre-tax			After-tax
Income as reported	$	49,795		$	38,839		$	40,355		$	30,970		$	101,230		$	80,897		$	87,332		$	67,754
Less (add):
Net investment gains (losses)	3,205			2,500			(1,721		)	(1,360		)	10,039			8,023			6,582			5,200
Net impact of loss portfolio transfer	—			—			241			190			—			—			482			381
Other income (loss)	7			5			(7		)	(6		)	20			16			(7		)	(6		)
Other expenses	(1,002		)	(782		)	(1,045		)	(826		)	(2,063		)	(1,649		)	(2,233		)	(1,764		)
Adjusted operating income	$	47,585		$	37,116		$	42,887		$	32,972		$	93,234		$	74,507		$	82,508		$	63,943

Underwriting income – We define underwriting income as net income before income taxes excluding net investment income, net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, impairment charges, interest expense, amortization expense and other income and expenses. Underwriting income represents the pre-tax profitability of our underwriting operations and allows us to evaluate our underwriting performance without regard to investment income. We use this metric as we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be viewed as a substitute for pre-tax income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define underwriting income differently.

($ in thousands)	Three months ended June 30,					Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)	2025		2024			2025		2024
Income before income taxes	$	49,795	$	40,355		$	101,230	$	87,332
Add:
Interest expense	1,876		2,449			3,710		5,176
Amortization expense	372		360			709		748
Other expenses	1,002		1,045			2,063		2,233
Less (Add):
Net investment income	18,589		22,034			37,927		40,331
Net investment gains (losses)	3,205		(1,721		)	10,039		6,582
Other income (loss)	7		(7		)	20		(7		)
Underwriting income	$	31,244	$	23,903		$	59,726	$	48,583

Tangible Stockholders’ Equity – We define tangible stockholders’ equity as stockholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets. Our definition of tangible stockholders’ equity may not be comparable to that of other companies and should not be viewed as a substitute for stockholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use tangible stockholders’ equity internally to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure.

($ in thousands)	June 30,				December 31,
(unaudited)	2025		2024		2024
Stockholders’ equity	$	899,915	$	723,620	$	793,999
Less: Goodwill and intangible assets	88,795		87,868			87,348
Tangible stockholders’ equity	$	811,120	$	635,752	$	706,651

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. Gross Written Premiums by Underwriting Division (Unaudited)

	Three months ended June 30,							Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2025		2024		% Change			2025		2024		% Change
Accident & Health	$	60,489	$	44,088		37.2	%	$	123,658	$	84,989		45.5	%
Agriculture and Credit (Re)insurance	71,573		36,592			95.6	%	159,420		79,913			99.5	%
Captives	76,961		62,099			23.9	%	145,362		130,507			11.4	%
Construction & Energy Solutions	73,613		78,214			(5.9	)%	149,184		152,436			(2.1	)%
Global Property	83,992		88,231			(4.8	)%	130,678		145,543			(10.2	)%
Professional Lines	38,147		38,106			0.1	%	79,313		80,345			(1.3	)%
Specialty Programs	85,955		59,644			44.1	%	148,630		111,822			32.9	%
Surety	40,737		37,642			8.2	%	78,535		71,484			9.9	%
Transactional E&S	53,461		51,609			3.6	%	105,467		97,841			7.8	%
Total gross written premiums⁽¹⁾	$	584,928	$	496,225		17.9	%	$	1,120,247	$	954,880		17.3	%
⁽¹⁾ Excludes exited business

	Twelve months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2025		% of Total
Accident & Health	$	211,742		11.1	%
Agriculture and Credit (Re)insurance	197,578			10.4	%
Captives	256,757			13.5	%
Construction & Energy Solutions	293,329			15.4	%
Global Property	186,930			9.8	%
Professional Lines	158,753			8.3	%
Specialty Programs	255,215			13.4	%
Surety	151,016			7.9	%
Transactional E&S	197,296			10.3	%
Total gross written premiums⁽¹⁾	$	1,908,616		100.0	%
⁽¹⁾ Excludes exited business

The MIL Network –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI: FormFactor, Inc. Reports 2025 Second Quarter Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LIVERMORE, Calif., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FormFactor, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORM) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 ended June 28, 2025. Quarterly revenues were $195.8 million, an increase of 14.3% compared to $171.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, and a decrease of 0.8% from $197.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

Anticipated strength in HBM and Foundry & Logic probe cards drove sequentially stronger second-quarter revenue
FormFactor is now shipping in volume to all three major HBM manufacturers
Closed acquisition of Farmers Branch manufacturing facility, providing significant operational flexibility in lower operating cost region

“FormFactor reported sequentially stronger second-quarter revenue that exceeded the high end of our outlook range, due to higher-than-anticipated growth in our probe-card business,” said Mike Slessor, CEO of FormFactor, Inc. “Despite this revenue strength, non-GAAP gross margin and overall profitability fell short of our outlook, mainly caused by an unfavorable shift in product mix and unforecasted ramp-up costs for a second HBM DRAM customer.”

Second Quarter Highlights

On a GAAP basis, net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $9.1 million, or $0.12 per fully-diluted share, compared to net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 of $6.4 million, or $0.08 per fully-diluted share, and net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 of $19.4 million, or $0.25 per fully-diluted share. Gross margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 37.3%, compared with 37.7% in the first quarter of 2025, and 44.0% in the second quarter of 2024.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $21.2 million, or $0.27 per fully-diluted share, compared to net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 of $18.0 million, or $0.23 per fully-diluted share, and net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 of $27.3 million, or $0.35 per fully-diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 38.5%, compared with 39.2% in the first quarter of 2025, and 45.3% in the second quarter of 2024.

GAAP net cash provided by operating activities for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $18.9 million, compared to $23.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, and $21.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Free cash flow for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was negative $47.1 million, compared to free cash flow for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 of $6.3 million, and free cash flow for the second quarter of 2024 of $14.2 million.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures is provided in the schedules included below.

Outlook

Dr. Slessor added, “In the current third quarter, we expect to deliver revenue comparable to the second quarter, with slightly higher gross margin and operating profit.”

For the third quarter ending September 27, 2025, FormFactor is providing the following outlook*:

	GAAP	Reconciling Items**	Non-GAAP
Revenue	$200 million +/- $5 million	—	$200 million +/- $5 million
Gross Margin	38.5% +/- 1.5%	$3 million	40% +/- 1.5%
Net income per diluted share	$0.14 +/- $0.04	$0.11	$0.25 +/- $0.04
This outlook assumes consistent foreign currency rates. *Reconciling items are stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions, and restructuring charges, net of applicable income tax impacts.

We posted our revenue breakdown by geographic region, by market segment and with customers with greater than 10% of total revenue on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.formfactor.com. We will conduct a conference call at 1:25 p.m. PT, or 4:25 p.m. ET, today.

The public is invited to listen to a live webcast of FormFactor’s conference call on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.formfactor.com. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The replay will be available on the Investor Relations section of our website, www.formfactor.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information:

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial results prepared under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, we disclose certain non-GAAP measures of non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income and free cash flow, that are adjusted from the nearest GAAP financial measure to exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses. Reconciliations of the adjustments to GAAP results for the three and six months ended June 28, 2025, and for outlook provided before, as well as for the comparable periods of fiscal 2024, are provided below, and on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.formfactor.com. Information regarding the ways in which management uses non-GAAP financial information to evaluate its business, management’s reasons for using this non-GAAP financial information, and limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial information, is included under “About our Non-GAAP Financial Measures” following the tables below.

About FormFactor:

FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product life cycle – from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor’s products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The Company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.formfactor.com.

Forward-looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the federal securities laws, including with respect to the Company’s future financial and operating results, and the Company’s plans, strategies and objectives for future operations. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs as of the date of this release, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future financial and operating results, including under the heading “Outlook” above, and the Company’s performance, and other statements regarding the Company’s business. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “continue,” and “prospect,” and the negative or plural of these words and similar expressions, and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in and impacts from export control, tariffs and other trade barriers; changes in demand for the Company’s products; customer-specific demand; market opportunity; anticipated industry trends; the availability, benefits, and speed of customer acceptance or implementation of new products and technologies; manufacturing, processing, and design capacity, goals, expansion, volumes, and progress; difficulties or delays in research and development; industry seasonality; risks to the Company’s realization of benefits from acquisitions; reliance on customers or third parties (including suppliers); changes in macro-economic environments; events affecting global and regional economic and market conditions and stability such as tariffs, military conflicts, political volatility, infectious diseases and pandemics, and similar factors, operating separately or in combination; and other factors, including those set forth in the Company’s most current annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, there are varying barriers to international trade, including restrictive trade and export regulations such as the US-China restrictions, dynamic tariffs, trade disputes between the U.S. and other countries, and national security developments or tensions, that may substantially restrict or condition our sales to or in certain countries, increase the cost of doing business internationally, and disrupt our supply chain. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements within this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

FORMFACTOR, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
	June 28, 2025			March 29, 2025		June 29, 2024		June 28, 2025		June 29, 2024
Revenues	$	195,798		$	171,356	$	197,474	$	367,154	$	366,199
Cost of revenues		122,860			106,833		110,574		229,693		216,561
Gross profit		72,938			64,523		86,900		137,461		149,638
Operating expenses:
Research and development		28,793			27,800		31,564		56,593		60,191
Selling, general and administrative		31,839			33,454		37,874		65,293		70,953
Total operating expenses		60,632			61,254		69,438		121,886		131,144
Gain on sale of business		—			—		310		—		20,581
Operating income		12,306			3,269		17,772		15,575		39,075
Interest income, net		2,642			3,317		3,415		5,959		6,571
Other income (expense), net		(6	)		890		360		884		880
Income before income taxes		14,942			7,476		21,547		22,418		46,526
Provision for income taxes		2,372			1,075		2,155		3,447		5,353
Loss from equity investment		3,484			—		—		3,484		—
Net income	$	9,086		$	6,401	$	19,392	$	15,487	$	41,173
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.12		$	0.08	$	0.25	$	0.20	$	0.53
Diluted	$	0.12		$	0.08	$	0.25	$	0.20	$	0.52
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic		77,107			77,345		77,235		77,226		77,343
Diluted		77,527			77,884		78,717		77,721		78,746

FORMFACTOR, INC. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended									Six Months Ended
	June 28, 2025			March 29, 2025			June 29, 2024			June 28, 2025			June 29, 2024
GAAP Gross Profit	$	72,938		$	64,523		$	86,900		$	137,461		$	149,638
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions		528			542			545			1,070			1,131
Stock-based compensation		1,690			2,005			1,932			3,695			3,860
Restructuring charges		183			60			39			243			83
Non-GAAP Gross Profit	$	75,339		$	67,130		$	89,416		$	142,469		$	154,712

GAAP Gross Margin		37.3	%		37.7	%		44.0	%		37.4	%		40.9	%
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions		0.3	%		0.3	%		0.3	%		0.3	%		0.3	%
Stock-based compensation		0.8	%		1.2	%		1.0	%		1.0	%		1.1	%
Restructuring charges		0.1	%		—	%		—	%		0.1	%		—	%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin		38.5	%		39.2	%		45.3	%		38.8	%		42.3	%

GAAP operating expenses	$	60,632		$	61,254		$	69,438		$	121,886		$	131,144
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles		(191	)		(191	)		(191	)		(382	)		(382	)
Stock-based compensation		(7,701	)		(7,791	)		(8,277	)		(15,492	)		(16,754	)
Restructuring charges		(195	)		(2,823	)		(49	)		(3,018	)		(98	)
Costs related to sale and acquisition of businesses		(55	)		(217	)		(43	)		(272	)		(689	)
Non-GAAP operating expenses	$	52,490		$	50,232		$	60,878		$	102,722		$	113,221

GAAP operating income	$	12,306		$	3,269		$	17,772		$	15,575		$	39,075
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions		719			733			736			1,452			1,513
Stock-based compensation		9,391			9,796			10,209			19,187			20,614
Restructuring charges		378			2,883			88			3,261			181
Gain on sale of business, net of costs and acquisition related expenses		55			217			(267	)		272			(19,892	)
Non-GAAP operating income	$	22,849		$	16,898		$	28,538		$	39,747		$	41,491

FORMFACTOR, INC. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE RECONCILIATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended									Six Months Ended
	June 28, 2025			March 29, 2025			June 29, 2024			June 28, 2025			June 29, 2024
GAAP net income	$	9,086		$	6,401		$	19,392		$	15,487		$	41,173
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles and fixed asset fair value adjustments due to acquisitions		719			733			736			1,452			1,513
Stock-based compensation		9,391			9,796			10,209			19,187			20,614
Restructuring charges		378			2,883			88			3,261			181
Gain on sale of business and assets, net of costs and acquisition related expenses		3,460			217			(267	)		3,677			(19,892	)
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments		(1,812	)		(2,026	)		(2,835	)		(3,838	)		(1,922	)
Non-GAAP net income	$	21,222		$	18,004		$	27,323		$	39,226		$	41,667

GAAP net income per share:
Basic	$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.25		$	0.20		$	0.53
Diluted	$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.25		$	0.20		$	0.52

Non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic	$	0.28		$	0.23		$	0.35		$	0.51		$	0.54
Diluted	$	0.27		$	0.23		$	0.35		$	0.50		$	0.53

GAAP net cash provided by operating activities	$	18,893		$	23,539		$	21,878		$	42,432		$	54,890
Adjustments:
Sale of business and acquisition related payments in working capital		168			1,221			630			1,389			677
Cash paid for interest		95			92			101			187			201
Capital expenditures		(66,256	)		(18,584	)		(8,398	)		(84,840	)		(21,834	)
Free cash flow	$	(47,100	)	$	6,268		$	14,211		$	(40,832	)	$	33,934

GAAP net cash used in investing activities	$	(78,553	)	$	(84,660	)	$	(6,140	)	$	(163,213	)	$	(9,960	)
GAAP net cash used in financing activities	$	(4,214	)	$	(2,964	)	$	(4,934	)	$	(7,178	)	$	(19,426	)

FORMFACTOR, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended
	June 28, 2025			June 29, 2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	15,487		$	41,173
Selected adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		17,051			14,563
Amortization		1,339			1,280
Stock-based compensation expense		19,187			20,614
Provision for excess and obsolete inventories		6,695			6,277
Loss from equity investment		3,484			—
Gain on sale of business and assets		(103	)		(20,581	)
Non-cash restructuring charges		2,160			—
Other activity impacting operating cash flows		(22,868	)		(8,436	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		42,432			54,890
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(84,840	)		(21,834	)
Proceeds from sale of business and assets		103			21,585
Purchase of equity investment		(67,156	)		—
Purchases of marketable securities, net		(11,320	)		(9,711	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(163,213	)		(9,960	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of common stock through stock repurchase program, including excise tax paid		(24,586	)		(20,271	)
Proceeds from issuances of common stock		21,576			4,948
Principal repayments on term loans		(549	)		(534	)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity awards		(3,619	)		(3,569	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(7,178	)		(19,426	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		1,658			(2,826	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(126,301	)		22,678
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		197,206			181,273
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	70,905		$	203,951

FORMFACTOR, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited)

	June 28, 2025		December 28, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,380	$	190,728
Marketable securities		181,949		169,295
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		115,199		104,294
Inventories, net		110,789		101,676
Restricted cash		1,061		3,746
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		48,884		35,389
Total current assets		525,262		605,128
Restricted cash		2,464		2,732
Operating lease, right-of-use-assets		19,475		22,579
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation		259,288		210,230
Equity investment		67,264		—
Goodwill		200,858		199,171
Intangibles, net		9,017		10,355
Deferred tax assets		94,795		92,012
Other assets		3,185		4,008
Total assets	$	1,181,608	$	1,146,215

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	59,932	$	62,287
Accrued liabilities		38,545		43,742
Current portion of term loan, net of unamortized issuance costs		1,121		1,106
Deferred revenue		16,450		15,847
Operating lease liabilities		7,919		8,363
Total current liabilities		123,967		131,345
Term loan, less current portion, net of unamortized issuance costs		11,644		12,208
Long-term operating lease liabilities		15,231		17,550
Deferred grant		18,000		18,000
Other liabilities		22,743		19,344
Total liabilities		191,585		198,447

Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		77		77
Additional paid-in capital		850,064		837,586
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		3,450		(10,840	)
Accumulated income		136,432		120,945
Total stockholders’ equity		990,023		947,768
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,181,608	$	1,146,215

About our Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

We believe that the presentation of non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income and free cash flow provides supplemental information that is important to understanding financial and business trends and other factors relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income are among the primary indicators used by management as a basis for planning and forecasting future periods, and by management and our board of directors to determine whether our operating performance has met certain targets and thresholds. Management uses non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income when evaluating operating performance because it believes that the exclusion of the items indicated herein, for which the amounts or timing may vary significantly depending upon our activities and other factors, facilitates comparability of our operating performance from period to period. We use free cash flow to conduct and evaluate our business as an additional way of viewing our liquidity that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our cash flows. Many investors also prefer to track free cash flow, as opposed to only GAAP earnings. Free cash flow has limitations due to the fact that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, and therefore it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our entire consolidated statements of cash flows. We have chosen to provide this non-GAAP information to investors so they can analyze our operating results closer to the way that management does, and use this information in their assessment of our business and the valuation of our Company. We compute non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income, by adjusting GAAP net income, GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, GAAP gross profit, GAAP gross margin, GAAP operating expenses, and GAAP operating income to remove the impact of certain items and the tax effect, if applicable, of those adjustments. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP, and may be materially different from other non-GAAP measures, including similarly titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, net income, net income per basic and diluted share, gross profit, gross margin, operating expenses, or operating income in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect certain items that may have a material impact upon our reported financial results. We may expect to continue to incur expenses of a nature similar to the non-GAAP adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from our non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, and non-GAAP operating income should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. For more information on the non-GAAP adjustments, please see the table captioned “Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations” included in this press release.

Investor Contact:
Stan Finkelstein
Investor Relations
(925) 290-4273
ir@formfactor.com

Source: FormFactor, Inc.
FORM-F

The MIL Network –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Casten, 92 House Democrats Demand Oversight Into Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza Amid Starvation Crisis

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

July 30, 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led 92 House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding an investigation into the ownership structure and operation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, unqualified U.S.-linked aid organization at the center of the worsening starvation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

GHF is a U.S.-linked aid organization with no prior experience in humanitarian aid and operates under opaque funding arrangements. GHF received a $30 million grant from the State Department, despite significant internal objections from USAID officials that the group’s funding plan failed to meet the “minimum technical or budgetary standards.” In their letter, the lawmakers criticize the organization’s lack of qualifications, noting that neither of the private firms contracted by GHF to manage distribution sites in Gaza has prior experience in humanitarian work, nor does GHF Executive Chairman Johnnie Moore, who is a close ally of President Donald Trump.

“We have serious concerns with the operations of GHF, a newly established, private, U.S.-linked organization with no prior humanitarian experience, and the possibility that it could become the sole or primary aid provider in Gaza,” the lawmakers wrote. “…Providing secure and efficient humanitarian assistance to Palestinians is not only a moral obligation—it is also vital to Israel’s long-term security and the safe return of Israeli hostages. Enhancing aid operations is essential to stabilizing the region and achieving lasting peace.”

In July 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a panel developed by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, issued a report warning that “the worst-case scenario of Famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.” Netanyahu’s blockade and GHF’s dangerously mismanaged aid sites are directly contributing to the starvation crisis.

The lawmakers also expressed concern regarding disturbing violence at GHF distribution sites, where flawed distribution methods have caused mass panic and mass casualties.

GHF operates only four aid distribution sites in Gaza using a reckless first-come, first-served model that has resulted in deadly chaos. At least 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to access aid near GHF sites, with reports describing Israeli soldiers and U.S. contractors opening fire on desperate civilians. One former contractor said he was instructed to “shoot to kill and ask questions later.”

“Instead of using traditional aid distribution methods, based on internationally agreed-upon humanitarian principles, GHF provides food on a first-come, first-served basis,” the lawmakers continued. “As a result, when centers open, large crowds of Palestinians rush to the centers. In these situations, there appear to be few restrictions on the use of lethal force by Israeli soldiers and American contractors in the vicinity.”

In addition to Rep. Casten, the letter was signed by Amo, Gabe; Ansari, Yassamin; Balint, Becca; Barragán, Nanette; Bera, Ami; Bonamici, Suzanne; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Carbajal, Salud; Carson, André; Carter, Troy; Castro, Joaquin; Chu, Judy; Cleaver, Emanuel; Cohen, Steve; Courtney, Joe; Craig, Angie; Crow, Jason; Davis, Danny; Dean, Madeleine; DeGette, Diana; DeLauro, Rosa; Deluzio, Christopher; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Dingell, Debbie; Doggett, Lloyd; Escobar, Veronica; Fields, Cleo; Foster, Bill; Foushee, Valerie; Frost, Maxwell; Garcia, Robert; Garcia, Sylvia; Green, Al; Harder, Josh; Hayes, Jahana; Houlahan, Chrissy; Hoyle, Val; Huffman, Jared; Jackson, Jonathan; Jacobs, Sara; Johnson, Henry; Kaptur, Marcy; Keating, William; Kelly, Robin; Khanna, Ro; Larsen, Rick; Larson, John; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Lofgren, Zoe; Lynch, Stephen; Magaziner, Seth; Matsui, Doris; McBride, Sarah; McClellan, Jennifer; McCollum, Betty; McGovern, James; Moore, Gwen; Mullin, Kevin; Nadler, Jerrold; Norton, Eleanor; Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria; Panetta, Jimmy; Pappas, Chris; Pelosi, Nancy; Pettersen, Brittany; Pingree, Chellie; Pocan, Mark; Pressley, Ayanna; Quigley, Mike; Randall, Emily; Ruiz, Raul; Salinas, Andrea; Schakowsky, Janice; Schrier, Kim; Scott, Robert; Smith, Adam; Sorensen, Eric; Stansbury, Melanie; Swalwell, Eric; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Bennie; Thompson, Mike; Tokuda, Jill; Tonko, Paul; Trahan, Lori; Underwood, Lauren; Vasquez, Gabe; Velázquez, Nydia; Watson Coleman, Bonnie; and Williams, Nikema.

A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Secretary Rubio:

As supporters of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and advocates for humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, we write to seek clarity on the ownership structure and operation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

More than two million people in Gaza currently face “critical levels” of hunger. We welcome efforts to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and share the objective of ensuring that Hamas does not divert such aid. However, we have serious concerns with the operations of GHF, a newly established, private, U.S.-linked organization with no prior humanitarian experience, and the possibility that it could become the sole or primary aid provider in Gaza. We agree that delivering aid promptly and securely is crucial. However, GHF’s practices and finances require increased transparency and oversight to ensure aid reaches the intended beneficiaries effectively, safely, and in accordance with international standards.

On June 24, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) approved a $30 million grant for GHF. Jeremy Lewin, a current DOS official and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee, reportedly moved forward with the grant’s approval despite 58 internal objections that U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff experts wanted GHF to resolve before approving funding, and an assessment in a memorandum from an acting USAID official that GHF’s funding plan failed to meet required “minimum technical or budgetary standards.” As lawmakers entrusted with the authority to appropriate taxpayer funds, which were undoubtedly used for GHF’s grant, we find this troubling.

Moreover, GHF has not published a complete list of its sponsors. Registered in Delaware in February 2025, GHF also established an office in Geneva, Switzerland (which the Swiss government has since announced is to be dissolved) with the explicit intent of accommodating donors that “prefer to participate outside of the U.S. structure.” The foundation has publicly stated that it has received at least $119 million from “other government donors.” Furthermore, despite its public denial, the Israeli government has reportedly covertly contributed approximately $280 million USD to the new aid mechanism run by GHF. Full disclosure of GHF’s funding sources is imperative.

GHF runs four aid distribution sites in Gaza. It contracts two American private firms, Safe Reach Solutions (SRS) and UG Solutions (UGS), to provide security and logistics, with some pricing models reportedly provided by Boston Consulting Group consultants, who reportedly regularly met with Israeli officials in connection with the consultants’ role in helping develop ideas for GHF’s operations. None of the groups have prior humanitarian experience, nor does GHFExecutive Chairman Johnnie Moore, a close ally of President Trump. As a result, these distribution centers appear to operate at a reduced capacity at an exorbitant cost, significantly exceeding the current operating costs of experienced humanitarian organizations.

We are further alarmed at the widespread violence at GHF distribution centers. As of July 23, 2025, there have reportedly been at least 1,000 people killed while trying to access critical aid near GHF sites. Instead of using traditional aid distribution methods, based on internationally agreed-upon humanitarian principles, GHF provides food on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, when centers open, large crowds of Palestinians rush to the centers. In these situations, there appear to be few restrictions on the use of lethal force by Israeli soldiers and American contractors in the vicinity. A former security contractor stated that he was instructed, “if you feel threatened, shoot – shoot to kill and ask questions later.” GHF centers offer desperately needed lifelines to those who receive aid without experiencing violence. However, the risk of violence, long wait times, and limited aid availability appear to force hundreds of thousands to choose between risking their lives or going without food.

The operations of the GHF sites are widely criticized by experienced humanitarian organizations as being inefficient and dangerous, and violating internationally agreed-upon humanitarian principles. Notably, GHF’s inaugural Executive Director and former Marine, Jake Wood, resigned from the organization, citing that the organization no longer aligned with “humanitarian principles.”

Providing secure and efficient humanitarian assistance to Palestinians is not only a moral obligation—it is also vital to Israel’s long-term security and the safe return of Israeli hostages. Enhancing aid operations is essential to stabilizing the region and achieving lasting peace. To address our concerns, we respectfully request responses to the following questions no later than August 14th, 2025:

From which congressionally appropriated account does DOS’s $30 million grant for the GHF originate?
What specific oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that the GHF operates in accordance with U.S. and international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality?
The DOS reportedly stated that GHF is subject to “rigorous oversight, including of GHF’s operations and finances.”
1. What is DOS’s role in monitoring the daily operations and financial practices of GHF, and what is the reporting mechanism?
2. Are the GHF and the private security contractors that it partners with to distribute assistance in compliance with U.S. standards (legal, regulatory, technical, budgetary, or otherwise) for humanitarian organizations?
The $30 million grant to GHF was approved despite 58 internal objections that USAID staff experts wanted GHF to resolve before approving funding, and an assessment in a memorandum from an acting USAID official that GHF’s funding plan failed to meet required ‘minimum technical or budgetary standards.’ What were the details of their objections or concerns, and why were they overridden?
What makes GHF more qualified than other humanitarian organizations with years of experience and the operational expertise needed to handle such a complex situation?
1. What makes the newly appointed Executive Chairman, Rev. Johnnie Moore Jr., a man with no prior humanitarian experience, but a close relationship with President Trump, the right person to lead GHF?
What steps is the U.S. government taking to address concerns about militarization at GHF’s aid sites, particularly regarding the involvement of U.S. private contractors and Israeli security forces?
Is there a formal agreement or memo of understanding between the U.S. and GHF that outlines the foundation’s operational guidelines, transparency, and accountability measures? If so, please provide a copy or summary of these terms.
Was the DOS involved in the decision-making processes that led to the establishment of only four aid distribution centers in Gaza to date? If so, please provide details of that communication.
GHF refuses to publish its sources of funding, including the $119 million it received from “other government donors.” What is the complete and most current list of GHF’s donors?
What are the details of the contracts between GHF, its contractors, Safe Reach Solutions (SRS), UGSolutions (UGS), and its aid providers?
1. What does GHF pay per diem for security and logistics to SRS and UGS?
2. Where does GHF source its aid packages from? How much does it pay for them?
Has the U.S. conducted any oversight or reviews of GHF’s operations in light of recent criticisms related to overcrowding, militarization, and security concerns? If so, what were the findings?
The Trump Administration is reportedly considering an additional $500 million grant to GHF using USAID funds. According to U.S. law, all NGO recipients of USAID grants are subject to a responsibility determination that certifies the NGO’s “necessary management competence…and that the applicant will practice mutually agreed upon methods of accountability for funds and other assets provided by USAID.”
1. Will this funding be approved?
2. If so, what account will this funding come from?
What steps will be taken to conduct the required “responsibility determination” certifying GHF’s competence and accountability?
What specific benefits has GHF’s aid distribution model or operations provided for U.S. and Israeli interests that the U.S. government assesses may justify some of the apparent drawbacks of the GHF model and operations?
Looking ahead, what information can the Administration share about the likely roles and potential roles of GHF and other humanitarian assistance providers in Gaza, respectively, under various scenarios (ceasefire, intensified conflict, post-conflict transition)?
1. What are the sources of this information?
2. What factors will the Administration use to determine whether and how to provide U.S. support to GHF and/or other providers, while actively monitoring their compliance with applicable legal and other standards?
How, if at all, will GHF coordinate with other humanitarian organizations already working in Gaza? Will GHF work within the already established coordinating mechanisms, and if so, how does it plan to do so?

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Celebrates Passage of MSFC Anniversary Resolution

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

WASHINGTON – Last night, Senator Tommy Tuberville’s resolution recognizing the 65^th Anniversary of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) passed the Senate. Earlier this month, Sen. Tuberville released a video highlighting the anniversary and emphasizing the important work being done at MSFC.

“Everywhere I go, people brag to me about Huntsville, Alabama,” said Senator Tuberville.“And that’s because your talent and hard work has put the Rocket City—and the State of Alabama—on the map. From helping put the first man on the moon to making the SLS the backbone of space exploration, Marshall has made Alabama proud. Thank you to the engineers, scientists, technicians, and support staff—both past and present—who have made this possible.”

Read full text of the resolution here.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI: CVR Energy Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results, Announces Leadership Transition Plans

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Second quarter net loss attributable to CVR Energy stockholders of $114 million; EBITDA loss of $24 million; adjusted EBITDA of $99 million
Second quarter loss per diluted share of $1.14 and adjusted loss per diluted share of 23 cents
Prepaid $70 million and $20 million in principal of the Term Loan in June and July 2025, respectively
Mark Pytosh to assume role of President, Chief Executive Officer and Director on January 1, 2026, following Dave Lamp retirement; Brett Icahn appointed to the Board of Directors effective August 1, 2025
CVR Partners announced a cash distribution of $3.89 per common unit

SUGAR LAND, Texas, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CVI, “CVR Energy” or the “Company”) today announced second quarter 2025 net loss attributable to CVR Energy stockholders of $114 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2024 net income attributable to CVR Energy stockholders of $21 million, or 21 cents per diluted share. Adjusted loss for the second quarter of 2025 was 23 cents per diluted share, compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of 9 cents in the second quarter of 2024. Net loss for the second quarter of 2025 was $90 million, compared to net income of $38 million in the second quarter of 2024. Second quarter 2025 EBITDA loss was $24 million, compared to second quarter 2024 EBITDA of $103 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2025 was $99 million, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $87 million in the second quarter of 2024.

“CVR Energy’s 2025 second quarter earnings results for its refining business were impacted by an $89 million unfavorable mark-to-market impact on its outstanding Renewable Fuel Standard obligation as well as reduced throughput volumes while we ran off intermediate inventory following the completion of the planned turnaround at the Coffeyville refinery,” said Dave Lamp, CVR Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“CVR Partners achieved solid operating results for the second quarter of 2025, with a combined ammonia production rate of 91 percent,” Mr. Lamp said. “CVR Partners also was pleased to declare a second quarter 2025 cash distribution of $3.89 per common unit.”

The Company also announced leadership transition plans following Mr. Lamp’s notice of his intent to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer effective December 31, 2025. Mark A. Pytosh, the Company’s Executive Vice President – Corporate Services who also serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the general partner of CVR Partners, LP (“CVR Partners”), is expected to assume the role of President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of CVR Energy while continuing to serve in those same roles for CVR Partners’ general partner. Mr. Lamp is expected to remain on the Company’s Board of Directors and the board of directors of CVR Partners’ general partner.

“I would like to thank our employees, communities and stockholders for their support over the past several years. It has been a privilege to have worked closely with our strong management team to drive value throughout the organization, and I look forward to continuing to serve our companies as a member of the Board,” said Mr. Lamp. “Mark has been a strong leader for CVR Partners and for our midstream operations. We have worked closely together for many years, and I am confident he is the right person to build upon the foundations we have laid while driving CVR Energy and CVR Partners into the future.”

Mr. Pytosh joined the general partner of CVR Partners as a Director in 2011 and became President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2014. In January 2018, Mr. Pytosh was appointed Executive Vice President – Corporate Services of the Company with executive responsibility over the Company’s midstream operations. Prior to joining CVR Partners, Mr. Pytosh held senior financial roles in energy, power, solid waste and investment banking. Mr. Pytosh is expected to remain President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of CVR Partners’ general partner.

Mr. Pytosh commented, “Dave’s leadership, operating discipline and strong corporate values have inspired the Company. I look forward to building upon Dave’s incredible legacy while leveraging our operating platform and strong management team to position the Company for positive growth and maximizing value for all of our stockholders.”

On July 28, 2025, the Board appointed Brett Icahn as a director effective August 1, 2025, increasing the Board size to nine members.

Petroleum Segment

The Petroleum Segment reported a second quarter 2025 net loss of $137 million and EBITDA loss of $84 million, compared to net income of $18 million and EBITDA of $56 million for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the Petroleum Segment was $38 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $37 million for the second quarter of 2024.

Combined total throughput for the second quarter of 2025 was approximately 172,000 barrels per day (“bpd”) compared to approximately 186,000 bpd of combined total throughput for the second quarter of 2024. Throughput during the current quarter was lower primarily to allow processing of intermediate inventories built during the turnaround at the Coffeyville, Kansas, refinery which began in the first quarter of 2025 and was completed in April 2025.

Refining margin for the second quarter of 2025 was $35 million, or $2.21 per total throughput barrel, compared to $185 million, or $10.94 per total throughput barrel, during the same period in 2024. Included in our second quarter 2025 refining margin were unfavorable mark-to-market impacts on our outstanding Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) obligation of $89 million, unfavorable inventory valuation impacts of $31 million, and unfavorable unrealized derivative impacts of $2 million primarily related to Canadian crude oil positions. Excluding these items, adjusted refining margin for the second quarter of 2025 was $9.95 per barrel, compared to an adjusted refining margin per barrel of $9.81 for the second quarter of 2024. The increase in adjusted refining margin per barrel was primarily due to an increase in the Group 3 2-1-1 crack spread.

Renewables Segment

Effective beginning with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and due to the prominence of the renewables business relative to the Company’s overall 2024 performance, we revised our reportable segments to reflect a new reportable segment: Renewables. The Renewables Segment includes the operations of the renewable diesel unit and renewable feedstock pretreater at the refinery in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.

The Renewables Segment reported second quarter 2025 net loss of $11 million and EBITDA loss of $5 million, compared to net loss of $11 million and EBITDA loss of $5 million for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA loss for the Renewables Segment was $4 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to adjusted EBITDA loss of $2 million for the second quarter of 2024.

Total vegetable oil throughput for the second quarter of 2025 was approximately 155,000 gallons per day (“gpd”), compared to approximately 127,000 gpd for the second quarter of 2024.

Renewables margin was $5 million, or $0.38 per vegetable oil throughput gallon, for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $5 million, or 43 cents per vegetable oil throughput gallon, for the second quarter of 2024. Factors contributing to our second quarter 2025 renewables margin were higher net sales of $13 million resulting from increased production and sales volumes, increased renewable diesel yield due to improved catalyst performance, and increased biomass-based diesel RIN and LCFS credit prices in the current period, partially offset by the loss of the BTC in the current period and a decrease in average CARB ULSD prices of 24 cents per gallon. Higher net sales were partially offset by higher cost of sales of $12 million due to an increase in throughput and production volumes.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment

The Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment reported net income of $39 million and EBITDA of $67 million on net sales of $169 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $26 million and EBITDA of $54 million on net sales of $133 million for the second quarter of 2024.

Production at CVR Partners, LP’s (“CVR Partners”) fertilizer facilities decreased compared to the second quarter of 2024, producing a combined 197,000 tons of ammonia during the second quarter of 2025, of which 54,000 net tons were available for sale while the rest was upgraded to other fertilizer products, including 321,000 tons of urea ammonia nitrate (“UAN”). During the second quarter of 2024, the fertilizer facilities produced a combined 221,000 tons of ammonia, of which 69,000 net tons were available for sale while the remainder was upgraded to other fertilizer products, including 337,000 tons of UAN.

For the second quarter 2025, average realized gate prices for ammonia and UAN were up 14 percent and 18 percent, respectively, over the prior year to $593 and $317 per ton, respectively. Average realized gate prices for ammonia and UAN were $520 and $268 per ton, respectively, for the second quarter of 2024.

Corporate and Other

The Company reported an income tax benefit of $42 million, or 31.7 percent of loss before income taxes, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to an income tax benefit of $26 million, or (219.7) percent of income before income taxes, for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in income tax benefit was primarily due to a decrease in overall pretax earnings while the change in the effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in pretax earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest and the impact of federal and state tax credits and incentives in relation to overall pretax earnings.

Cash, Debt and Dividend

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents were $596 million at June 30, 2025, a decrease of $391 million from December 31, 2024. Consolidated total debt and finance lease obligations were $1.9 billion at June 30, 2025, including $570 million held by the Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment.

On June 30, 2025, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Term Loan Borrowers”) prepaid $70 million in principal of the senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan”), in addition to required principal and interest payments as set forth in the Term Loan. As a result of this transaction, the Company recognized a $1 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the second quarter of 2025, related to the write-off of unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. Further, on July 25, 2025, the Term Loan Borrowers prepaid an additional $20 million in principal of the Term Loan, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

CVR Energy will not pay a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2025.

Today, CVR Partners announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner declared a second quarter 2025 cash distribution of $3.89 per common unit, which will be paid on August 18, 2025, to common unitholders of record as of August 11, 2025.

Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call

CVR Energy previously announced that it will host its second quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call on Thursday, July 31, at 1 p.m. Eastern. The Earnings Conference Call may also include discussion of Company developments, forward-looking information and other material information about business and financial matters.

The second quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call will be webcast live and can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of CVR Energy’s website at www.CVREnergy.com. For investors or analysts who want to participate during the call, the dial-in number is (877) 407-8291. The webcast will be archived and available for 14 days at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/939p6amw. A repeat of the call also can be accessed for 14 days by dialing (877) 660-6853, conference ID 13754877.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future: continued safe and reliable operations; drivers of our results; EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA; management changes; impacts of planned and unplanned downtime; timing of turnarounds and impacts thereof on our results; asset utilization, capture, production volume, throughput, product yield and crude oil gathering rates, including the factors impacting same; cash flow generation; operating income and net sales, including the factors impacting same; refining margin; crack spreads, including the drivers thereof; impact of costs to comply with the RFS and revaluation of our RFS liability; inventory levels and valuation impacts; derivative gains and losses and the drivers thereof; renewable feedstocks; production rates and operations capabilities of our renewable diesel unit, including the ability to return to hydrocarbon service; demand trends; RIN generation levels; benefits of our corporate transformation to segregate our renewables business; access to capital and new partnerships; RIN pricing, including its impact on performance and the Company’s ability to offset the impact thereof; LCFS credit and CARB ULSD pricing; carbon capture and decarbonization initiatives; demand for refined products; ammonia and UAN pricing; global fertilizer industry conditions; grain prices; crop inventory levels; crop and planting levels; production levels and utilization at our nitrogen fertilizer facilities; nitrogen fertilizer sales volumes; ability to and levels to which we upgrade ammonia to other fertilizer products, including UAN; income tax expense and benefits, including the drivers thereof; pretax earnings and our effective tax rate; the availability and impact of tax credits and incentives; use of proceeds under our debt instruments; debt levels; ability to paydown debt, make debt prepayments and terms associated therewith; cash and cash equivalent levels; dividends and distributions, including the timing, payment and amount (if any) thereof; direct operating expenses, capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization; turnaround expense; cash reserves; labor supply shortages, difficulties, disputes or strikes, including the impact thereof; and other matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “evaluate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” or “will,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that various factors may affect these forward-looking statements, including (among others) the health and economic effects of any pandemic, demand for fossil fuels and price volatility of crude oil, other feedstocks and refined products; the ability of Company to pay cash dividends and of CVR Partners to make cash distributions; potential operating hazards; costs of compliance with existing or new laws and regulations and potential liabilities arising therefrom; impacts of the planting season on CVR Partners; our controlling shareholder’s intention regarding ownership of our common stock or CVR Partners’ common units; general economic and business conditions; political disturbances, geopolitical instability and tensions; existing and future laws, rulings, policies and regulations, including the reinterpretation or amplification thereof by regulators, and including but not limited to those relating to the environment, climate change, and/or the production, transportation, or storage of hazardous chemicals, materials, or substances, like ammonia; political uncertainty and impacts to the oil and gas industry and the United States economy generally as a result of actions taken by a new administration, including the imposition of tariffs or changes in climate or other energy laws, rules, regulations, or policies; impacts of plant outages; potential operating hazards from accidents, fires, severe weather, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, or other natural disasters; and other risks. For additional discussion of risk factors which may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. These and other risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Energy disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The terms of the employment agreement referenced herein are qualified in their entirety by the text of the agreement which will be duly disclosed in the Company’s upcoming filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CVR Energy, Inc.
Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewable fuels and petroleum refining and marketing business, as well as in the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners. CVR Energy subsidiaries serve as the general partner and own approximately 37 percent of the common units of CVR Partners.

Investors and others should note that CVR Energy may announce material information using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Investor Relations page of its website. CVR Energy may use these channels to distribute material information about the Company and to communicate important information about the Company, corporate initiatives and other matters. Information that CVR Energy posts on its website could be deemed material; therefore, CVR Energy encourages investors, the media, its customers, business partners and others interested in the Company to review the information posted on its website.

Contact Information:

Investor Relations

Richard Roberts
(281) 207-3205
InvestorRelations@CVREnergy.com

Media Relations

Brandee Stephens
(281) 207-3516
MediaRelations@CVREnergy.com

Non-GAAP Measures

Our management uses certain non-GAAP performance measures, and reconciliations to those measures, to evaluate current and past performance and prospects for the future to supplement our financial information presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures are important factors in assessing our operating results and profitability and include the performance and liquidity measures defined below.

As a result of continuing volatile market conditions and the impacts certain non-cash items may have on the evaluation of our operations and results, the Company began disclosing the Adjusted Refining Margin non-GAAP measure, as defined below, in the second quarter of 2024. We believe the presentation of this non-GAAP measure is meaningful to compare our operating results between periods and better aligns with our peer companies. All prior periods presented have been conformed to the definition below.

The following are non-GAAP measures we present for the periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:

EBITDA – Consolidated net income (loss) before (i) interest expense, net, (ii) income tax expense (benefit) and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense.

Petroleum EBITDA, Renewables EBITDA, and Nitrogen Fertilizer EBITDA – Segment net income (loss) before segment (i) interest expense, net, (ii) income tax expense (benefit), and (iii) depreciation and amortization.

Refining Margin – The difference between our Petroleum Segment net sales and cost of materials and other.

Adjusted Refining Margin – Refining Margin adjusted for certain significant noncash items and items that management believes are not attributable to or indicative of our underlying operational results of the period or that may obscure results and trends we deem useful.

Refining Margin and Adjusted Refining Margin, per Throughput Barrel – Refining Margin and Adjusted Refining Margin divided by the total throughput barrels during the period, which is calculated as total throughput barrels per day times the number of days in the period.

Direct Operating Expenses per Throughput Barrel – Direct operating expenses for our Petroleum Segment divided by total throughput barrels for the period, which is calculated as total throughput barrels per day times the number of days in the period.

Renewables Margin – The difference between our Renewables Segment net sales and cost of materials and other.

Adjusted Renewables Margin – Renewables Margin adjusted for certain significant noncash items and items that management believes are not attributable to or indicative of our underlying operational results of the period or that may obscure results and trends we deem useful.

Renewables Margin and Adjusted Renewables Margin, per Vegetable Oil Throughput Gallon – Renewables Margin and Adjusted Renewables Margin divided by the total vegetable oil throughput gallons for the period, which is calculated as total vegetable oil throughput gallons per day times the number of days in the period.

Direct Operating Expenses per Vegetable Oil Throughput Gallon – Direct operating expenses for our Renewables Segment divided by total vegetable oil throughput gallons for the period, which is calculated as total vegetable oil throughput gallons per day times the number of days in the period.

Adjusted EBITDA, Petroleum Adjusted EBITDA, Renewables Adjusted EBITDA, and Nitrogen Fertilizer Adjusted EBITDA – EBITDA, Petroleum EBITDA, Renewables EBITDA, and Nitrogen Fertilizer EBITDA adjusted for certain significant non-cash items and items that management believes are not attributable to or indicative of our underlying operational results of the period or that may obscure results and trends we deem useful.

Adjusted Earnings (Loss) per Share – Earnings (loss) per share adjusted for certain significant non-cash items and items that management believes are not attributable to or indicative of our on-going operations or that may obscure our underlying results and trends.

Free Cash Flow – Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures and capitalized turnaround expenditures.

We present these measures because we believe they may help investors, analysts, lenders and ratings agencies analyze our results of operations and liquidity in conjunction with our U.S. GAAP results, including but not limited to our operating performance as compared to other publicly traded companies in the refining and fertilizer industries, without regard to historical cost basis or financing methods and our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures. Non-GAAP measures have important limitations as analytical tools, because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net earnings and operating income. These measures should not be considered substitutes for their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” included herein for reconciliation of these amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented within this section may not add or equal to numbers or totals presented elsewhere within this document.

Factors Affecting Comparability of Our Financial Results

Petroleum Segment

Our results of operations for the periods presented may not be comparable with prior periods or to our results of operations in the future due to capitalized expenditures as part of planned turnarounds. Total capitalized expenditures were $24 million and $3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $190 million and $42 million during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

CVR Energy, Inc.
(all information in this release is unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data


	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions, except per share data)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Net sales	$	1,761		$	1,967		$	3,407		$	3,829
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of materials and other		1,582			1,667			3,099			3,130
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		169			173			324			337
Depreciation and amortization		76			70			142			145
Cost of sales		1,827			1,910			3,565			3,612
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		36			28			73			63
Depreciation and amortization		2			2			4			4
(Gain) loss on asset disposal		(1	)		—			—			1
Operating (loss) income		(103	)		27			(235	)		149
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense, net		(30	)		(19	)		(55	)		(39	)
Other income, net		1			4			4			8
(Loss) income before income tax benefit		(132	)		12			(286	)		118
Income tax benefit		(42	)		(26	)		(91	)		(10	)
Net (loss) income		(90	)		38			(195	)		128
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		24			17			42			25
Net (loss) income attributable to CVR Energy stockholders	$	(114	)	$	21		$	(237	)	$	103

Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(1.14	)	$	0.21		$	(2.36	)	$	1.02
Dividends declared per share	$	—		$	0.50		$	—		$	1.00

Adjusted (loss) earnings per share *	$	(0.23	)	$	0.09		$	(0.81	)	$	0.12
EBITDA *	$	(24	)	$	103		$	(85	)	$	306
Adjusted EBITDA *	$	99		$	87		$	122		$	186

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted		100.5			100.5			100.5			100.5

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section below.

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

(in millions)	June 30, 2025		December 31, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents	$	596	$	987
Working capital (inclusive of cash and cash equivalents)		201		726
Total assets		3,984		4,263
Total debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion		1,861		1,919
Total liabilities		3,318		3,375
Total CVR stockholders’ equity		466		703

Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Net cash used in:
Operating activities	$	176		$	81		$	(19	)	$	258
Investing activities		(185	)		(74	)		(267	)		(129	)
Financing activities		(90	)		(65	)		(105	)		(729	)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	(99	)	$	(58	)	$	(391	)	$	(600	)

Free cash flow *	$	(12	)	$	7		$	(297	)	$	128

* See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section below.

Selected Segment Data

	Three Months Ended June 30,
		2025											2024
(in millions)	Petroleum			Renewables			Nitrogen Fertilizer		Consolidated			Petroleum		Renewables			Nitrogen Fertilizer		Consolidated
Net sales	$	1,561		$	76		$	169	$	1,761		$	1,795	$	63		$	133	$	1,967
Operating (loss) income		(133	)		(11	)		46		(103	)		10		(11	)		34		27
Net (loss) income		(137	)		(11	)		39		(90	)		18		(11	)		26		38
EBITDA *		(84	)		(5	)		67		(24	)		56		(5	)		54		103

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾
Maintenance	$	14		$	1		$	6	$	21		$	22	$	—		$	4	$	27
Growth		9			1			4		15			11		2			1		14
Total capital expenditures	$	23		$	2		$	10	$	36		$	33	$	2		$	5	$	41

	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2025											2024
(in millions)	Petroleum			Renewables			Nitrogen Fertilizer		Consolidated			Petroleum		Renewables			Nitrogen Fertilizer		Consolidated
Net sales	$	3,038		$	142		$	311	$	3,407		$	3,517	$	97		$	261	$	3,829
Operating (Loss) Income		(295	)		(11	)		81		(235	)		128		(21	)		54		149
Net (loss) income		(297	)		(11	)		66		(195	)		145		(20	)		39		128
EBITDA *		(202	)		1			120		(85	)		227		(9	)		93		306

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾
Maintenance	$	55		$	1		$	10	$	66		$	44	$	1		$	9	$	57
Growth		17			1			6		26			25		9			1		35
Total capital expenditures	$	72		$	2		$	16	$	92		$	69	$	10		$	10	$	92

* See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section below.
(1) Capital expenditures are shown exclusive of capitalized turnaround expenditures.

Selected Balance Sheet Data

	June 30, 2025								December 31, 2024
(in millions)	Petroleum		Renewables		Nitrogen Fertilizer		Consolidated		Petroleum		Renewables		Nitrogen Fertilizer		Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents ⁽¹⁾	$	325	$	22	$	114	$	596	$	735	$	13	$	91	$	987
Total assets		3,011		414		998		3,984		3,288		420		1,019		4,263
Total debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion ⁽²⁾		293		—		570		1,861		354		—		569		1,919

(1) Corporate cash and cash equivalents consisted of $135 million and $148 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(2) Corporate total debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion consisted of $998 million and $996 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Petroleum Segment

Key Operating Metrics per Total Throughput Barrel

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025		2024		2025		2024
Refining margin *	$	2.21	$	10.94	$	1.14	$	13.68
Adjusted refining margin *		9.95		9.81		9.04		10.15
Direct operating expenses *		6.45		6.94		7.32		6.34

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section below.

Refining Throughput and Production Data by Refinery

Throughput Data	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
(in bpd)	2025	2024	2025	2024
Coffeyville
Gathered crude	61,505	87,402	44,213	74,903
Other domestic	30,718	28,625	21,584	37,275
Canadian	581	9,518	610	9,525
Condensate	—	5,079	—	6,390
Other feedstocks and blendstocks	7,883	10,773	7,111	11,671
Wynnewood
Gathered crude	55,470	34,190	56,936	38,624
Other domestic	1,595	2,421	1,087	1,210
Condensate	8,965	5,965	9,556	8,114
Other feedstocks and blendstocks	5,432	2,235	5,309	3,287
Total throughput	172,149	186,208	146,406	190,999

Production Data	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(in bpd)	2025		2024		2025		2024
Coffeyville
Gasoline	50,323		71,515		34,718		72,119
Distillate	46,911		57,710		33,645		56,858
Other liquid products	(428	)	7,015		2,930		5,784
Solids	3,711		4,990		2,523		4,985
Wynnewood
Gasoline	36,657		25,672		38,190		28,828
Distillate	23,645		16,053		24,293		17,610
Other liquid products	8,267		2,349		6,671		3,956
Solids	12		6		11		6
Total production	169,098		185,310		142,981		190,146

Crude utilization ⁽¹⁾	76.9	%	83.9	%	64.9	%	85.2	%
Light product yield (as % of crude throughput) ⁽²⁾	99.2	%	98.7	%	97.7	%	99.6	%
Liquid volume yield (as % of total throughput) ⁽³⁾	96.1	%	96.8	%	95.9	%	96.9	%
Distillate yield (as % of crude throughput) ⁽⁴⁾	44.4	%	42.6	%	43.2	%	42.3	%

(1) Total Gathered crude, Other domestic, Canadian, and Condensate throughput (collectively, “Total Crude Throughput”) divided by consolidated crude oil throughput capacity of 206,500 bpd.
(2) Total Gasoline and Distillate divided by Total Crude Throughput.
(3) Total Gasoline, Distillate, and Other liquid products divided by total throughput.
(4) Total Distillate divided by Total Crude Throughput.

Key Market Indicators

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars per barrel)		2025			2024			2025			2024
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) NYMEX	$	63.74		$	80.63		$	67.52		$	78.81
Crude Oil Differentials to WTI:
Brent		2.97			4.40			3.29			4.60
WCS (heavy sour)		(9.43	)		(12.53	)		(10.92	)		(14.66	)
Condensate		(0.71	)		(0.66	)		(0.68	)		(0.76	)
Midland Cushing		0.74			1.08			0.92			1.31
NYMEX Crack Spreads:
Gasoline		24.76			27.48			20.86			25.07
Heating Oil		26.99			24.67			27.71			30.62
NYMEX 2-1-1 Crack Spread		25.87			26.07			24.29			27.85
PADD II Group 3 Product Basis:
Gasoline		(3.58	)		(10.61	)		(3.20	)		(10.33	)
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel		(0.12	)		(3.89	)		(3.60	)		(7.04	)
PADD II Group 3 Product Crack Spread:
Gasoline		21.18			16.87			17.66			14.74
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel		26.87			20.78			24.11			23.59
PADD II Group 3 2-1-1		24.02			18.83			20.89			19.17

Renewables Segment

Key Operating Metrics per Vegetable Oil Throughput Gallon

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2025		2024		2025		2024
Renewables margin *	$	0.38	$	0.43	$	0.76	$	0.51
Adjusted renewables margin *		0.44		0.67		0.68		0.64
Direct operating expenses *		0.54		0.72		0.51		0.76

See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section below.

Renewables Throughput and Production Data

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(in gallons per day)	2025		2024		2025		2024
Throughput Data
Corn Oil	1,107		33,253		10,488		34,947
Soybean Oil	153,609		93,303		144,837		66,128

Production Data
Renewable diesel	148,373		117,277		146,292		89,936

Renewable utilization ⁽¹⁾	61.4	%	50.2	%	61.6	%	40.1	%
Renewable diesel yield (as % of corn and soybean oil throughput)	95.9	%	92.7	%	94.2	%	89.0	%

(1) Total corn and soybean oil throughput divided by total renewable throughput capacity of 252,000 gallons per day.

Key Market Indicators

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2025		2024		2025		2024
Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean oil (dollars per pound)	$	0.49	$	0.45	$	0.47	$	0.46
Midwest crude corn oil (dollars per pound)		0.50		0.51		0.48		0.53
CARB ULSD (dollars per gallon)		2.36		2.60		2.38		2.63
NYMEX ULSD (dollars per gallon)		2.16		2.51		2.27		2.61
California LCFS (dollars per metric ton)		52.36		51.51		59.13		57.37
Biodiesel RINs (dollars per RIN)		1.08		0.51		0.94		0.55

Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(percent of capacity utilization)	2025		2024		2025		2024
Ammonia utilization rate ⁽¹⁾	91	%	102	%	96	%	96	%

(1) Reflects our ammonia utilization rate on a consolidated basis. Utilization is an important measure used by management to assess operational output at each of CVR Partners’ facilities. Utilization is calculated as actual tons produced divided by capacity. We present our utilization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 and take into account the impact of our current turnaround cycles on any specific period. Additionally, we present utilization solely on ammonia production rather than each nitrogen product as it provides a comparative baseline against industry peers and eliminates the disparity of plant configurations for upgrade of ammonia into other nitrogen products. With our efforts being primarily focused on ammonia upgrade capabilities, this measure provides a meaningful view of how well we operate.

Sales and Production Data

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2025		2024		2025		2024
Consolidated sales volumes (thousands of tons):
Ammonia		57		43		117		113
UAN		345		330		681		614

Consolidated product pricing at gate (dollars per ton): ⁽¹⁾
Ammonia	$	593	$	520	$	573	$	525
UAN		317		268		287		268

Consolidated production volume (thousands of tons):
Ammonia (gross produced) ⁽²⁾		197		221		413		414
Ammonia (net available for sale) ⁽²⁾		54		69		117		130
UAN		321		337		668		643

Feedstock:
Petroleum coke used in production (thousands of tons)		130		133		261		261
Petroleum coke used in production (dollars per ton)	$	56.68	$	62.96	$	49.54	$	69.21
Natural gas used in production (thousands of MMBtus) ⁽³⁾		1,897		2,213		4,057		4,361
Natural gas used in production (dollars per MMBtu) ⁽³⁾	$	3.29	$	1.93	$	4.00	$	2.51
Natural gas in cost of materials and other (thousands of MMBtus) ⁽³⁾		2,201		1,855		3,807		3,620
Natural gas in cost of materials and other (dollars per MMBtu) ⁽³⁾	$	3.63	$	1.85	$	4.05	$	2.65

(1) Product pricing at gate represents sales less freight revenue divided by product sales volume in tons and is shown in order to provide a pricing measure that is comparable across the fertilizer industry.
(2) Gross tons produced for ammonia represent total ammonia produced, including ammonia produced that was upgraded into other fertilizer products. Net tons available for sale represent ammonia available for sale that was not upgraded into other fertilizer products.
(3) The feedstock natural gas shown above does not include natural gas used for fuel. The cost of fuel natural gas is included in direct operating expense.

Key Market Indicators

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2025		2024		2025		2024
Ammonia — Southern plains (dollars per ton)	$	576	$	523	$	569	$	545
Ammonia — Corn belt (dollars per ton)		630		565		624		581
UAN — Corn belt (dollars per ton)		403		288		364		290

Natural gas NYMEX (dollars per MMBtu)	$	3.51	$	2.32	$	3.69	$	2.21

Q3 2025 Outlook

The table below summarizes our outlook for certain operational statistics and financial information for the third quarter of 2025. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

	Q3 2025
	Low			High
Petroleum
Total throughput (bpd)		200,000			215,000
Crude utilization ⁽¹⁾		92	%		97	%
Direct operating expenses (in millions) ⁽²⁾	$	105		$	115

Renewables
Total throughput (in millions of gallons)		16			20
Renewable utilization ⁽⁴⁾		70	%		85	%
Direct operating expenses (in millions) ⁽²⁾	$	8		$	10

Nitrogen Fertilizer
Ammonia utilization rate		93	%		98	%
Direct operating expenses (in millions) ⁽²⁾	$	60		$	65

Capital Expenditures (in millions) ⁽³⁾
Petroleum	$	25		$	30
Renewables		1			3
Nitrogen Fertilizer		20			25
Other		1			2
Total capital expenditures	$	47		$	60

(1) Represents crude oil throughput divided by consolidated crude oil throughput capacity of 206,500 bpd.
(2) Direct operating expenses are shown exclusive of depreciation and amortization, turnaround expenses, and inventory valuation impacts.
(3) Turnaround and capital expenditures are disclosed on an accrual basis.
(4) Represents renewable feedstock throughput divided by total renewable throughput capacity of 252,000 gallons per day.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Net (loss) income	$	(90	)	$	38		$	(195	)	$	128
Interest expense, net		30			19			55			39
Income tax benefit		(42	)		(26	)		(91	)		(10	)
Depreciation and amortization		78			72			146			149
EBITDA		(24	)		103			(85	)		306
Adjustments:
Revaluation of RFS liability, unfavorable (favorable)		89			—			200			(91	)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, net		2			(17	)		(1	)		7
Inventory valuation impacts, unfavorable (favorable)		32			1			8			(36	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99		$	87		$	122		$	186

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Share to Adjusted (Loss) Earnings per Share

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2025			2024			2025			2024
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(1.14	)	$	0.21		$	(2.36	)	$	1.02
Adjustments: ⁽¹⁾
Revaluation of RFS liability, unfavorable (favorable)		0.65			—			1.50			(0.68	)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, net		0.02			(0.13	)		(0.01	)		0.05
Inventory valuation impacts, unfavorable (favorable)		0.24			0.01			0.06			(0.27	)
Adjusted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.23	)	$	0.09		$	(0.81	)	$	0.12

(1) Amounts are shown after-tax, using the Company’s marginal tax rate, and are presented on a per share basis using the weighted average shares outstanding for each period.

Reconciliation of Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	176		$	81		$	(19	)	$	258
Less:
Capital expenditures		(41	)		(43	)		(92	)		(90	)
Capitalized turnaround expenditures		(148	)		(32	)		(191	)		(44	)
Return of equity method investment		1			1			5			4
Free cash flow	$	(12	)	$	7		$	(297	)	$	128

Reconciliation of Petroleum Segment Net (Loss) Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Petroleum net (loss) income	$	(137	)	$	18		$	(297	)	$	145
Interest (income) expense, net		5			(5	)		5			(10	)
Depreciation and amortization		48			43			90			92
Petroleum EBITDA		(84	)		56			(202	)		227
Adjustments:
Revaluation of RFS liability, unfavorable (favorable)		89			—			200			(91	)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, net		2			(17	)		(1	)		7
Inventory valuation impacts, unfavorable (favorable) ⁽¹⁾		31			(2	)		10			(39	)
Petroleum Adjusted EBITDA	$	38		$	37		$	7		$	104

Reconciliation of Petroleum Segment Gross (Loss) Profit to Refining Margin and Adjusted Refining Margin

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Net sales	$	1,561		$	1,795		$	3,038		$	3,517
Less:
Cost of materials and other		(1,526	)		(1,610	)		(3,008	)		(3,041	)
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		(102	)		(118	)		(193	)		(221	)
Depreciation and amortization		(48	)		(43	)		(90	)		(92	)
Gross (loss) profit		(115	)		24			(253	)		163
Add:
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		102			118			193			221
Depreciation and amortization		48			43			90			92
Refining margin		35			185			30			476
Adjustments:
Revaluation of RFS liability, unfavorable (favorable)		89			—			200			(91	)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, net		2			(17	)		(1	)		7
Inventory valuation impacts, unfavorable (favorable) ⁽¹⁾		31			(2	)		10			(39	)
Adjusted refining margin	$	157		$	166		$	239		$	353

Total throughput barrels per day		172,149			186,208			146,406			190,999
Days in the period		91			91			181			182
Total throughput barrels		15,665,597			16,944,862			26,499,565			34,761,961

Refining margin per total throughput barrel	$	2.21		$	10.94		$	1.14		$	13.68
Adjusted refining margin per total throughput barrel		9.95			9.81			9.04			10.15
Direct operating expenses per total throughput barrel		6.45			6.94			7.32			6.34

(1) The Petroleum Segment’s basis for determining inventory value under GAAP is First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”). Changes in crude oil prices can cause fluctuations in the inventory valuation of crude oil, work in process and finished goods, thereby resulting in a favorable inventory valuation impact when crude oil prices increase and an unfavorable inventory valuation impact when crude oil prices decrease. The inventory valuation impact is calculated based upon inventory values at the beginning of the accounting period and at the end of the accounting period.

Reconciliation of Renewables Segment Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Renewables net loss	$	(11	)	$	(11	)	$	(11	)	$	(20	)
Interest income, net		—			—			—			(1	)
Depreciation and amortization		6			6			12			12
Renewables EBITDA		(5	)		(5	)		1			(9	)
Adjustments:
Inventory valuation impacts, (favorable) unfavorable ⁽¹⁾		1			3			(2	)		2
Renewables Adjusted EBITDA	$	(4	)	$	(2	)	$	(1	)	$	(7	)

Reconciliation of Renewables Segment Gross Loss to Renewables Margin and Adjusted Renewables Margin

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions, except throughput data)		2025			2024			2025			2024
Net sales	$	76		$	63		$	142		$	97
Less:
Cost of materials and other		(71	)		(58	)		(121	)		(88	)
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		(7	)		(8	)		(14	)		(13	)
Depreciation and amortization		(6	)		(6	)		(12	)		(12	)
Gross loss		(8	)		(9	)		(5	)		(16	)
Add:
Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		7			8			14			13
Depreciation and amortization		6			6			12			12
Renewables margin		5			5			21			9
Inventory valuation impacts, (favorable) unfavorable ⁽¹⁾		1			3			(2	)		2
Adjusted renewables margin	$	6		$	8		$	19		$	11

Total vegetable oil throughput gallons per day		154,716			126,556			155,325			101,075
Days in the period		91			91			181			182
Total vegetable oil throughput gallons		14,079,118			11,516,572			28,113,944			18,395,649

Renewables margin per vegetable oil throughput gallon	$	0.38		$	0.43		$	0.76		$	0.51
Adjusted renewables margin per vegetable oil throughput gallon		0.44			0.67			0.68			0.64
Direct operating expenses per vegetable oil throughput gallon		0.54			0.72			0.51			0.76

(1) The Renewables Segment’s basis for determining inventory value under GAAP is FIFO. Changes in renewable diesel and renewable feedstock prices can cause fluctuations in the inventory valuation of renewable diesel, work in process and finished goods, thereby resulting in a favorable inventory valuation impact when renewable diesel prices increase and an unfavorable inventory valuation impact when renewable diesel prices decrease. The inventory valuation impact is calculated based upon inventory values at the beginning of the accounting period and at the end of the accounting period.

Reconciliation of Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)		2025		2024		2025		2024
Nitrogen Fertilizer net income	$	39	$	26	$	66	$	39
Interest expense, net		7		8		15		15
Depreciation and amortization		21		20		39		39
Nitrogen Fertilizer EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA	$	67	$	54	$	120	$	93

The MIL Network –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Killing weeds and wildings for economic growth

Source: New Zealand Government

Tourism and rural businesses will benefit from Government action to eradicate invasive weeds from popular landscapes including progressing the development of world-leading early detection technology, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.

The Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is New Zealand’s biggest tourism provider – conservation tourism is worth $3.4 billion a year – but the ongoing protection of our iconic landscapes is facing significant financial and environmental challenges,” Mr Potaka says.

“Tourism is a key part of our plan to grow the economy to create jobs, lift wages and help Kiwis get ahead. Through the International Visitor Levy (IVL), we’re providing $10 million over the next three years to ensure our popular mountains, parks, and islands, remain beautiful for years to come.

“Locations include Abel Tasman, Aoraki / Mt Cook, Tongariro, Stewart Island, Mackenzie Basin, Molesworth, and Te Paki and North Cape / Otou near Cape Reinga.

“In Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly two million hectares are affected by wilding pines. Without intervention, these trees can spread at a rate of five per cent per year. The cost of this to New Zealand’s nature, productivity and economy can grow exponentially over time.

“I’ve announced an extra $3 million to the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, led by Biosecurity New Zealand, for important control work in the Molesworth and Mackenzie Basin areas. This builds on significant previous IVL investments to urgently tackle wilding conifers across Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago and on Rangitoto in the Hauraki Gulf.

“A further $7.45 million will go towards managing other significant weeds. For example in Rakiura, Abel Tasman, Te Paki, and North Cape/Otou, such as marram, spartina, and pampas grasses that affect natural dune and estuary ecosystems, and our coastal scenery.

“When it comes to tackling invasive weeds, taking early action is essential. IVL funding will also go towards the development and rollout of an innovative, smart software tool to detect weeds when they first invade.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard highlighted the annual boost in funding to combat wilding pines, which threaten farmland, water catchments, and native biodiversity, while increasing the risk of wildfires.

“The Government is focused on protecting the productive heart of our economy – our rural communities. That’s why there has been significant investment into the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, including an extra $2 million announced in Budget and annual $10 million baseline funding.

“Since 2016, the Government has committed more than $150 million to the fight to contain and control the spread of wilding pines, alongside more than $33 million contributed by partners and communities.”

“This year’s investment continues to support the people doing the work alongside Government – regional councils, Iwi, farmers, researchers, and volunteers, whose combined effort has pushed back some of the worst infestations and protected key landscapes,” says Mr Hoggard.

Notes to editor: The funding covers work across the next three years (2025 –2028) and comes from money raised under the new $100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy rate.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Applications open for 2026 On Farm Support Science Scholarships | NZ Government

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

A scholarship programme run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started producing the next generation of on-farm advisers to support farmers and growers.

Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support science scholarship and is now an intern with Ballance Agri-Nutrients in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

“I’m getting to work on-farm alongside Ballance’s nutrient specialists. My role is about helping farmers improve their soil, grow better quality pasture and crops, and become more productive and profitable,” Ms White says.

“The scholarship was hugely beneficial. I had a mentor from MPI’s On Farm Support team who invited me to industry field days and events. It helped me meet people in the sector which came in handy when I started looking for a job.”

Ms White, who completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, is one of 4 scholarship recipients who have secured primary industry advisory roles. Another is Nerissa Edwards, who now works as a farm consultant with Feilding-based KS Agri.

“Every day is different. I find it hugely rewarding working with farmers to create individual plans to drive improvements in on-farm efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” Ms Edwards says.

“The scholarship enabled me to build connections within the advisory sector. That led to a 6-month internship with KS Agri and eventually a role as a consultant.”

MPI launched the On Farm Support science scholarships in 2023. MPI’s director of On Farm Support, Vanessa Winning, says applications are now open for next year’s scholarships.

“Six scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2026 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees,” Ms Winning says.

“We’re seeking applications from students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in either the agriculture, horticulture, or viticulture advisory sector. Applicants must have completed their first year of study.”

Ms Winning says there’s strong demand for on-farm advice backed by science and analysis that can support producers to adapt and improve business performance.

“MPI is backing initiatives that support farmers and growers to sustainably boost productivity and profitability, helping to achieve the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports by 2034,” Ms Winning says.

Applications for the scholarships close on 15 September 2025.

Find out more about the scholarships and eligibility criteria

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Washington Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

Source: United States Small Business Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Washington to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning July 8.

The declaration covers the Washington counties of Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Spokane and Whitman as well as Idaho counties of Benewah, Latah and Nez Perce and the Oregon county of Wallowa.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than March 16, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Kansas Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by May Drought

Source: United States Small Business Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Kansas to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning May 20.

The declaration covers the Kansas counties of Decatur, Graham, Norton, Phillips, Rawlins, Sheridan and Thomas as well as the Nebraska counties of Furnas, Harlan and Red Willow.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than March 16, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Nebraska Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by May Drought

Source: United States Small Business Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Nebraska to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning May 13.

The declaration covers the Nebraska counties of Buffalo, Butler, Chase, Clay, Colfax, Dawson, Dodge, Dundy, Fillmore, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Jefferson, Kearney, Lancaster, Lincoln, Merrick, Nuckolls, Perkins, Phelps, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer and York as well as Kansas counties of Decatur, Norton and Rawlins.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than March 16, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Idaho Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by July Drought

Source: United States Small Business Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low‑interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Idaho to offset economic losses caused by drought.

The disaster declarations cover the counties listed below:

Declaration Number	Primary Counties/Parishes	Neighboring Counties/Parishes	Incident Type	Incident Date	Deadline
ID 21214	Clearwater, Idaho, Lemhi, Lewis and Shoshone	Adams, Benewah, Bonner, Butte, Clark, Custer, Kootenai, Latah, Nez Perce and Valley in Idaho; Beaverhead, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli and Sanders in Montana; Wallowa in Oregon.	Drought	Beginning July 1, 2025	3/16/26
ID 21217	Benewah, Latah and Nez Perce	Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Lewis and Shoshone in Idaho; Wallowa in Oregon; Asotin, Spokane and Whitman in Washington.	Drought	Beginning July 8, 2025	3/16/26

Under these declarations, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than March 16, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Colorado Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by May Drought

Source: United States Small Business Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Colorado to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning May 13.

The declaration covers the Colorado counties of Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Moffat, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit as well as Utah counties of Daggett and Uintah, and the Wyoming counties of Carbon and Sweetwater.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith-based with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than March 16, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Comments on the Passing of Betty Lou Weddle

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the passing of Betty Lou Weddle of Liberty, Kentucky:

“Elaine and I were incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our good friend in Casey County, Betty Lou Weddle. When I first sought my current office back in 1984, it was Betty Lou and her late husband, T.M., who took me around their community to meet voters and local leaders. We remained in close contact for the next four decades, and every time I visited Casey County, Betty Lou was always the first person I met with to discuss what mattered to her area. We worked together on the Central Kentucky Ag-Expo Center in Casey County – a project that reflects the hospitality, passion, and instinct for public service Betty Lou displayed throughout her life.

“Betty Lou contributed her entire life to her Casey County home as a farmer, teacher, and community leader. She was deeply committed to her husband throughout their 68 years of marriage and raised two children, Tom and Linda, who have followed in her footsteps as public servants of the highest degree. I share my deepest condolences with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and will hold the entire Weddle family in my prayers.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation and Canada reach agricultural benefits agreement

Source: Government of Canada News

July 30, 2025 — Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern and Arctic Affairs Canada and Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation

Today, Chief Melissa Tavita of Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced a settlement agreement resolving the Nation’s Agricultural Benefits claim, also known as a Cows and Plows settlement.

Canada will pay nearly $99 million in compensation to the First Nation for failing to fulfill its Treaty 4 obligations to provide farming tools, crop seeds, and livestock.

These agricultural benefits were meant to facilitate Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation’s transition to a strong, self-sustaining community through farming. However, as a result of Canada’s failure to meet its Treaty obligations, the Nation did not have the equipment it needed to support its members.

The settlement will be strategically allocated to uplift the Nation and support long-term prosperity. Key investments include:

Housing Development: Significant funding will be dedicated to addressing the Nation’s housing backlog. Modern, culturally aligned homes will be constructed to ensure safe and dignified living conditions for families on-reserve.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Investment in road systems, community facilities, and connectivity will strengthen the Nation’s ability to support future development and improve quality of life.
Water System Improvements: Ensuring clean and reliable drinking water remains a top priority. This funding will be used to upgrade water-treatment systems and ensure every home has access to safe water.
Youth Programming: The future of Muscowpetung lies in its youth. New programming will focus on cultural education, sports, leadership development, and mental wellness—empowering the next generation of leaders.
Per-Capita Distribution: Every adult member of Muscowpetung will receive a one-time payment of $40,000. For Nation members under the age of 18, the funds will be placed in a secure trust account, earning 4% annually, to be accessed once they reach adulthood. This ensures that the benefits of the settlement are shared today and into the future.

Settling specific claims is an important part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to advance reconciliation by rebuilding trust and strengthening its relationships with First Nations. By providing fair compensation in recognition of unkept promises, Canada is taking responsibility and working toward a better future. This work is guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall & Baldwin Introduce Legislation to End Dairy Mislabeling

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

Washington – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) to introduce the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2025. This legislation will ensure that non-dairy products cannot engage in duplicitous labeling practices, such as calling non-dairy imitation products “milk” or “yogurt” that do not contain dairy and are instead from a plant, nut, or grain.
“Consumers deserve clear, honest labels on the products they purchase. Misleading labels on non-dairy products, which are often nutritionally inferior, cause confusion and undermine the value of real dairy,” said Senator Marshall. “With 90% of Americans falling short of daily dairy intake recommendations, milk stands out as an excellent source of critical nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D, essential for building strong bones in kids and adults. These imitation products not only fail to match the 13 essential nutrients found in whole milk but also harm dairy farmers who tirelessly meet rigorous health standards to deliver the most nutritious drink known to man.”
“Wisconsin is known across the world as America’s Dairyland because our hardworking dairy farmers produce the best products with the highest nutritional value,” said Senator Baldwin. “But, for far too long, imitation dairy products made from plants and nuts have ridden the coattails of our dairy farmers and gotten away with using dairy’s good name without meeting those standards. I’m proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to settle this once and for all by requiring the federal government to stop these imitation products of lesser nutritional value from using labels like milk, cheese, and yogurt.”
The legislation was cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).
“Dairy comes from cows, goats, and sheep—not almonds. Plant-based products’ misleading branding is a disservice to consumers and the farmers who dedicate their lives to making the nutritious dairy products Idahoans enjoy,” said Senator Risch. “The DAIRY PRIDE Act requires the FDA to enforce accurate definitions for dairy terminology, end deceptive labeling, and advocate for the farmers who feed us.”
“As an Aroostook County native, I know how essential the dairy industry is to Maine’s economy and how hard our state’s dairy farmers work to produce nutritious milk, yogurt, cheese, and other products. It is unfair for non-dairy products to capitalize on milk’s nutritious brand,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would help protect our dairy farmers and the quality of their goods by requiring non-dairy producers to accurately label their products.”
“Our dairy farms are the heart of Vermont’s economy, our history, and our communities. The work they do should be protected and supported. That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Baldwin, Risch, and Collins in introducing the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act,” said Senator Welch. “This bill will give our farmers much needed support and correct FDA’s misguided efforts to allow non-dairy products to use dairy names—giving dairy farmers the protections they need to thrive.”
This legislation is supported by the National Milk Producers Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Idaho Dairymen’s Association, and Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI).
Click here to read the full bill text.
Background:

Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations define dairy products as being from animals. But the most recent FDA guidance on fluid dairy products allows plant-based alternatives to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy.
The DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days and require the FDA to report to Congress two years after enactment to hold the agency accountable for this update in its enforcement obligations.
Senator Marshall understands the nutritional importance of real, whole dairy products. He introduced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would expand healthy milk options in schools by reversing the Obama-era law that took whole milk out of school cafeterias.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We’re Not Tired of Winning

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

Senator Marshall Joins the Brian Kilmeade Show to Discuss Trump Trade Deals, the MAHA Movement, and Democrats Obstructing Confirmations
Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Brian Kilmeade on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio to discuss President Trump’s historic trade deals and what they mean specifically for Kansas agriculture, MAHA movement momentum, China deterrence, and Senate Democrats’ attempts to obstruct the confirmation process.

Click HERE or on the image above to listen to Senator Marshall’s full interview.
On President Trump’s trade deals:
“Brian, I mean, we’re ecstatic, absolutely ecstatic. Every time I see the President, I’ll tell him we’re not tired of winning. But you know, who’s excited about these trade deals are my Kansas farmers and the aerospace industry. What Kansas exports are agriculture products and airplanes, and jets. So just ecstatic about these deals. The President removing these non-trade barriers all these countries, in addition to giving us basically zero types of penalties going into their country’s tariffs, but they’re also opening their markets, and they’re moving investment into America. Just this past week, I had several of the large pharma companies who make their drugs overseas, very popular, very successful [say that] they’re moving that manufacturing here, so we’re all excited about them.”
On Fed Chair Powell and interest rates:
“I sure hope so. Jerome “too late” Powell, he is too late, kind of like “too tall” Jones. This is Jerome “too late” Powell. He should have cut it a quarter point, some time ago, a quarter point now, half point in the future. He’s a lame duck, and I don’t know what he’s going to do. If he doesn’t drop something today, I just have to think it’s politically or emotionally motivated.”
On the progress of the MAHA movement:
“Yeah, we’re making great progress. Making incredible progress. We have a group of bills that will help support that movement as well. A group of bills that’s going to make our soil healthier, help our farmers grow more with less pesticides, and with less fertilizers. The thing I’m worried about right now, which is coming to my attention, Brian is China continues to make a lot of knockoffs. So, for instance, China is making a knockoff of a GLP-1, that they’re sending to the US, that’s compounded into a pharmacy. 14 people have died from that. So, one of my big emphases here is moving all that supply chain back to the United States. It’s easier said than done.”
On U.S.-China trade deals:
“The big picture is that with China, we have a $270 billion trade deficit to address. I think that people missed the calculated way that the Trump administration is doing this. Basically, they boxed in China. Think about it. They’ve done the EU. They’ve done Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia, so that by having bilateral trade agreements with them, it’s putting a lot of pressure on China. One other thing China does to cheat is they’ll send a bunch of T-shirts that they made or tennis shoes, and they’ll send them to Vietnam, and then Vietnam is getting them in at their lower tariff rate. So, the President is doubling up on that type of transaction to make sure that those are tarred appropriately. So, we absolutely are getting there. To your point, I’m much more concerned about fentanyl poisoning, their intellectual property theft, the counterfeits they make, all those things. But I have faith in Scott Bessent. This guy is one of the sharpest people I’ve ever met.”
On Democrats stalling nominations and spending bills:
“I think this is the big political picture here, and you get this, but what’s driving the Democrat Party right now is the far left. Chuck Schumer is scared to death of AOC on the far left, so they’re demanding he’s got to do something. He’s got to do something. So, he’s doing everything in his power to gum up the process, whether it’s nominations or appropriations bills as well. He’s in a panicked mode right now, and he’s lashing out, slowing up what is traditionally done. People that would pass with unanimous consent and take zero floor time, we’re having to vote on them three times and spend two hours or more on each one of them. So, if they’re going to keep doing that, then we just need to stay here in August till we get more of these people confirmed.
On the Senate delaying recess until nominations are confirmed:
“The Democrats secretly want to all go home, right? That is their number one priority. These people are professional politicians; they’re used to having all summer off. And by the way, when I go back, I’m going to work harder back in Kansas than I do here. Then, at the same time, their leader is scared to death. I can’t believe he’s still there. Their leader hasn’t been fired yet, but he’s scared to death to be in a primary. So it’s all about his political legacy right now, keeping that together. But I just have to emphasize, Brian, yes, I want to go home, but I’ve done four telephone town halls up here with people back in Kansas in the last two weeks, with over 5,000 people on each one of those calls. You can go home on weekends. We’ve had significant, strong events as well. We could stay for easily two weeks, and still go back and accomplish that mission of targeting the great things about the Big Beautiful Bill, whether it’s the biggest tax cut in American history or no tax on tips, all those types of things. So, I think we can walk and chew gum. But, what we could do most to help the people of America is get President Trump’s nominations confirmed so they can execute his agenda.”
On Democrats battling each other on bipartisan bills:
“First of all, the one thing I learned politically up here is when your opponent is forming a circular firing squad, don’t hop in the middle of them. So, I think we need to give them all the rope we can on this. This kind of takes us back to what I was talking about earlier. The far left of the Democrat Party is the tail wagging the dog. Here’s Cory Booker running for president, right? He’s trying to reach that primary base, saying he’s the most radical, progressive person up here. That’s what he’s doing right there. And again, this is a party that won’t stop digging. They’re in this hole. They have no respect for law and order. They he just keep digging and digging. These bills that she’s proposing are bipartisan, stronger law and order support the police. He’s out there still shouting like this mayor candidate from New York that wants to defund the police. So, I think this is all political. They’re more interested in running for president, Cory Booker is. Then here, you have Amy Klobuchar, who’s one of the most moderate Democrats, level-headed people up here. And to be honest, it’s just been a joy to get to know and work with her. We’re in bipartisan prayer breakfast together. It’s something you’ll never see, but she gave just an incredible lesson to us today about life in our bipartisan prayer breakfast.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: The USDA is Coming to Kansas City

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

Senator Marshall Questions Deputy Secretary of Agriculture About the USDA Reorganization
Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), questioned Deputy Secretary of Agriculture,The Honorable Stephen Alexander Vaden, during a recent Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing focused on the recently announced USDA reorganizational proposal.

Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full exchange.
Highlights from the hearing include:
On why the USDA relocation to Kansas City makes sense:
Senator Marshall: “Mr. Vaden, welcome. Glad you’re here today. In your testimony, you were mentioning some of the advantages of moving to some of these communities. And I would just point out that you failed to mention that moving to Kansas City that suddenly you would have the advantage of being a Chiefs fan, rather than suffering through another year here with the Washington Commanders. You failed to mention, to be within an hour of the most storied basketball program in the nation, and just barely two hours away from the first land-grant university in America.
“And I just would want to give you a chance to talk a little bit more. You think about the Kansas City Metro, within a two-hour drive of the Iowa State University, the Nebraska University, Missouri, Arkansas…. How far away is Auburn? Not too far. So, my point is, you know what? You can’t coach talent. You have to have talent, and within just miles of there, some of the greatest ag research in the world. How important is that to American agriculture to have, let alone the affordability issues you mentioned?”
Deputy Secretary Vaden: “It’s vital. And I want to add to the mix, NBAF. We haven’t forgotten about that. You haven’t either. I know there’s some unfinished business left there. But when you think about the potential that facility has and the technology and level of research that can go on there that are vital for the future of American agriculture, you’ve pointed to many of the reasons why Kansas City also joined as one of our five hubs.
“The Department put some thought into this. We want to spark that level of collaboration that you have noted, whether it be with our land grant and non-land grant university partners, whether it be with individual farmers, whether it be with the local Chamber of Commerce in an area that is driven and motivated, even though it may be in an urban setting, by agriculture.
“I know that you’re well aware that the Federal Reserve has a location in Kansas City, and that we’re looking at the shape of the agricultural economy for inclusion in the Beige Book, so we look to what the Kansas City Fed has to say. USDA will be able to take advantage of all of these synergies, and not only Kansas City, but the other hubs that we have laid out.”
On the USDA’s right to reinitiate the relocation process:
Senator Marshall: “Over the past four years, it was reported that only 6% of USDA employees were in the office as well. And more and more, just a crescendo of complaints from my ag producers back home that they could work with their local FSA officer or their conservation officer, but then that report would get somehow clogged here in DC. I want to compliment the White House on the $10 billion that was appropriated in [the] spring; within days, my farmers had the help that they needed.
“And then, more recently, I think it was a $16 billion, so something is working, right from a standpoint of customer services. And I just can’t help but think when you’re when you have people working for USDA out there, going to church, going to the soccer match, all those type of things with the local farmers and ranchers, is going to be a better service of wealth. So just talk about customer service, how that was going to be impacted by these people, the net, net moving out into the hinterlands, as we call it.”
Deputy Secretary Vaden: “Well, I don’t consider it the hinterlands, I consider it home, Senator. But with regard to having more people in the field, we agree with you that we think the level of service will improve. Not only do we agree with you, even if we had a disagreement, the Congress has legislated on this point, and this is another matter that drove our consideration of this plan, and that’s looking at USDA reorganization authority, which was granted to us by the Congress in 1953.
“And if you actually look at the statute, I’m a former judge, so I tend to look at statutes. What does the statute say? The statute says, in carrying out this law, quote, ‘the Secretary shall seek to simplify and make efficient the operation of the Department of Agriculture, to place the administration of farm programs close to the state and local levels,’ close quote from the statute. This is exactly what Congress intended: the maximum amount of USDA resources dedicated out in the field, not in Washington, D.C.”
Senator Marshall: “Just want to make one last point, President Trump’s tariffs are working. He has made incredible trade deals that are going to open up markets that we never had access to before. We’ve never sold a cheeseburger in all of Europe. Ethanol: 40% of our corn crop goes to ethanol. Suddenly, the EU, UK, and all these countries are going to be buying ethanol as well. We’re seeing manufacturing jobs move back to this country because of these tariffs as well. American agriculture will benefit significantly from long-term trade. Agreements for long-term success as well, and we can’t wait to see what’s next coming out of the White House and the tariffs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reform of import health systems begins

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is taking decisive steps to modernise New Zealand’s import health system, with a new programme aimed at significantly reducing the time it takes to develop Import Health Standards (IHSs) while maintaining the country’s world-class biosecurity protections.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the current regulatory framework is over 30 years old and is struggling to adapt to today’s fast-moving global trade environment.

“The way we develop import health standards hasn’t kept pace with the demands of modern trade and innovation. We need a system that is faster, smarter, and more responsive, without compromising our biosecurity.”

A regulatory efficiency programme is now underway to transform the IHS development process.

“The programme will make IHSs easier to use and understand for industry, but also much faster to develop.”

Mr Hoggard says one of the most promising innovations is the use of generative artificial intelligence to support pest risk analysis, standards drafting, and consultation materials.

“We’ve already seen successful proof-of-concept trials that show AI can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete key parts of the IHS process. This is about using smart tools to do the heavy lifting, so our experts can focus on the decisions that matter most.”

A key pilot project is the reform of the Plant Nursery Stock import system, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started work reforming the plant import system in collaboration with importers and growers.

“Our plant-based industries need safe and efficient access to new plant material to stay competitive, improve productivity, adapt to climate change, and meet evolving consumer preferences. We’re working closely with industry to co-design a system that works for users, supports access to new plant genetics, and protects our environment.
These protections underpin the work of our farmers and growers, and the $59.9 billion primary sector.

Once fully delivered, this reform programme will mean faster approvals for imported goods that New Zealand businesses need and the removal of unnecessary restrictions to growth and productivity, while still maintaining strong biosecurity protections.”

We’re committed to building a system that supports growth, innovation, and resilience for the years ahead,” Mr Hoggard says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Welch Grills Trump Admin on How So-Called ‘Reorganization Plan’ of USDA Hurts Vermont

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, grilled U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden on the Trump Administration’s reorganization plan for USDA, which will rob rural communities of vital local control and leadership. Senator Welch also questioned Dep. Sec. Vaden about how USDA plans to better balance and allocate resources to specialty crop, organic, and dairy farms in comparison to large commodity farms.
“Let me be candid: I have some inclination to be supportive of folks being back home, closer to where they’re serving,” said Senator Welch. “The concern I have is whether the reorganization plan is on the level—whether it’s about empowering local communities or it’s about decimating the already severely cut back work force.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ plan to restructure USDA follows the Department’s firing of 15,000 employees as part of the Trump Administration’s mass-layoff campaign of federal employees. While USDA claims the reorganization will bring USDA closer to farmers, the proposal would force more than 2,000 local USDA federal employees to relocate across five regional hubs in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah. The location of these hubs makes it clear that USDA values large-scale commodity and row cropping farms over the small-scale farms in Vermont and the Northeast.
Farmers and agricultural organizations have expressed concerns over how the sudden large-scale restructuring of USDA could disrupt essential services the agency provides and erode support for farmers and rural communities.
Watch the exchange between Senator Welch and USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden:

Read key excerpts of Senator Welch’s questioning below:

Senator Welch: “In Vermont, we’ve lost 78 staff members already. And our local USDA is terrific—they’re responsive, we call them, they give us an answer—they help us…So, how am I going to get excited about this so-called ‘reorganization plan’ where folks are going back, but we’ve already lost 78? Tell me why I should be confident about this.”
Mr. Vaden: “Well Senator, to use your phrase, this plan is ‘on the level.’ The Secretary and I are both serious. Employees who accept their new locations—they’ve got a job, and we’ve got an office for them, and we’re planning a new home for them in a location where their federal salary will go farther.”
Senator Welch: “But here’s what doesn’t make sense to me: If you believe in the local control, why do you fire local people?”
Mr. Vaden: “Senator, if you’re referring to the deferred resignation plan, those were voluntary decisions made by individual employees who chose—with the information that the agency provided to them—to seek a new career elsewhere.”
Senator Welch: “You know, you’re talking about a lot of federal workers—they felt the axe was coming down, and they had to make a choice between two really terrible things: get fired…or take the buyout. So, that doesn’t satisfy me. And again, we’ve got 78 people who wanted to stay on their jobs, buy and large, and were doing a good job and would answer the phone when I called—and they’re gone.
“You know what my concern is, and I’d like to be able to follow up, because I want this in the real world to be beneficial for folks in Vermont, for our farmers who are incredibly valuable citizens.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Vice Ranking Member Amo Applauds Partnership to Deliver Humanitarian Aid, Blasts Trump’s Failure to Keep Aid Promises to Starving Kids and American Producers

Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, House Foreign Affairs Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) thanked Edesia Nutrition and Ocean State Job Lot’s initiative in sending Rhode Island-made therapeutic food to aid severely malnourished children in South Sudan. Amo also called on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support American farmers and aid producers by delivering Edesia’s food aid to children and providing new contracts so Edesia can continue their essential work.

“Thanks to Ocean State Job Lot and Edesia Nutrition, working in coordination with World Vision, America can still answer the call when aid is needed. By partnering together, these organizations are filling the massive gap left by President Trump in delivering needed food assistance to children around the world. Rhode Island workers and businesses are meeting the moment while Donald Trump and the State Department sit on their hands, hide behind red tape, and refuse to take accountability for literally incinerating food. Children are starving. There is no excuse for Republican inaction,” said Vice Ranking Member Amo (D-RI).“I have pressed Secretary Rubio and his State Department underlings repeatedly to resurrect America’s aid programs. I will keep fighting to ensure our government combats childhood malnutrition and supports American farmers by delivering and continuing to fund American-made therapeutic food.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Vice Ranking Member Amo Applauds Partnership to Deliver Humanitarian Aid, Blasts Trump’s Failure to Keep Aid Promises to Starving Kids and American Producers

Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, House Foreign Affairs Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) thanked Edesia Nutrition and Ocean State Job Lot’s initiative in sending Rhode Island-made therapeutic food to aid severely malnourished children in South Sudan. Amo also called on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support American farmers and aid producers by delivering Edesia’s food aid to children and providing new contracts so Edesia can continue their essential work.

“Thanks to Ocean State Job Lot and Edesia Nutrition, working in coordination with World Vision, America can still answer the call when aid is needed. By partnering together, these organizations are filling the massive gap left by President Trump in delivering needed food assistance to children around the world. Rhode Island workers and businesses are meeting the moment while Donald Trump and the State Department sit on their hands, hide behind red tape, and refuse to take accountability for literally incinerating food. Children are starving. There is no excuse for Republican inaction,” said Vice Ranking Member Amo (D-RI).“I have pressed Secretary Rubio and his State Department underlings repeatedly to resurrect America’s aid programs. I will keep fighting to ensure our government combats childhood malnutrition and supports American farmers by delivering and continuing to fund American-made therapeutic food.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI China: E China’s provinces step up disaster prevention for typhoon Co-May

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

E China’s provinces step up disaster prevention for typhoon Co-May

Updated: July 31, 2025 08:54 Xinhua

The crew member inspect and reinforce mooring ropes at Huangshagang port in Sheyang County of Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu Province, July 30, 2025. Co-May, the eighth typhoon of this year, made landfall for the second time in east China’s Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday afternoon after it made landfall in Zhejiang Province in early Wednesday morning, according to the Shanghai central meteorological observatory. Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces have taken actions to step up hazard inspection and disaster prevention efforts while evacuating residents from dangerous places. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows fishing boats moored at a fishing port in Ganyu District, Lianyungang Port, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Volunteers and militiamen help farmers drain a ditch at a grape planting base in Changping Village of Changxing County, Huzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Rescuers work to drain water from a flooded road in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI China: E China’s provinces step up disaster prevention for typhoon Co-May

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

E China’s provinces step up disaster prevention for typhoon Co-May

Updated: July 31, 2025 08:54 Xinhua

The crew member inspect and reinforce mooring ropes at Huangshagang port in Sheyang County of Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu Province, July 30, 2025. Co-May, the eighth typhoon of this year, made landfall for the second time in east China’s Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday afternoon after it made landfall in Zhejiang Province in early Wednesday morning, according to the Shanghai central meteorological observatory. Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces have taken actions to step up hazard inspection and disaster prevention efforts while evacuating residents from dangerous places. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows fishing boats moored at a fishing port in Ganyu District, Lianyungang Port, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Volunteers and militiamen help farmers drain a ditch at a grape planting base in Changping Village of Changxing County, Huzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Rescuers work to drain water from a flooded road in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free summer activities at Island libraries 30 July 2025 Free summer activities at Island libraries

Source: Aisle of Wight

With the summer holidays in full swing, Isle of Wight libraries are proving once again they’re more than just places to borrow books.

Across the Island, libraries are opening their doors to families with a packed programme of free creative activities designed to keep children entertained, inspired, and learning throughout the break.

From painting rock owls to crafting garden wind chimes, there’s something to inspire every young imagination.

Lord Louis Library, Newport, is hosting a variety of themed sessions:

Paint Your Own Rock Owls — Thursday, July 31, 2.30–3.30pm (Ages 5+)
Create Your Own Pretty Butterflies — Saturday, August 2, 2.30–3.30pm (Ages 5+)
Make a Handprint Blossom Tree — Thursday, August 7, 2.30–3.30pm (Ages 3+)
Make a Garden in a Teacup –— Monday, August 11, 2.15–3.30pm (Ages 7+)
Make Garden Wind Chimes — Monday, August 18, 2.30–3.30pm (Ages 5+)
Make Clay Mini Beasts — Saturday, August 23, 2–3.30pm (Ages 5+)

Sandown Library offers drop-in and bookable sessions:

Junk Modelling — Tuesday, August 5, 10.30am–12 noon (Ages 4+, drop-in)
Plant Pot Decorating and Re-potting — Friday, August 15, 10.30am (Ages 5+)
Drop-in Summer Crafts — Tuesday, August 19, 10.30am–12 noon (Ages 4+)
Make a Pirate Mask — Saturday, August 23, 10.30am–12 noon (Ages 3+)

Freshwater Library is running a series of open-access printing workshops:

Printing Paper — Wednesday, August 6, 2–4pm
Printing T-Shirts — Wednesday, August 13, 2–4pm
Printing Bags — Wednesday, August 20, 2–4pm
Printing Pictures — Wednesday, August 27, 2–4pm

Ventnor Library invites children to:

Grow a Story: Creative Session — Wednesday, August 13, 10.30–11.30am (Ages 5+)
Make a Wriggly Caterpillar — Saturday, August 23, 10.30–11.30am (Ages 5+)

Ryde Library is also joining the fun:

Make a Carnival Mask — Wednesday, August 20, 10.30am–12 noon (drop-in)
Story Garden Craft — Friday, August 22, 10.30–11.30am (Ages 5+)

Cowes Library will host a Garden Craft session on Saturday, August 16, 2–4pm (drop-in). Please note: there are currently no toilet facilities at this location.

All activities are free of charge, but many require booking due to limited spaces. To reserve a spot, contact the relevant library directly. For full details, visit www.iow.gov.uk/thelibrary

Louise Emery, development librarian for the Isle of Wight Council Library Service, said: “We know how important it is for children to stay active and creative over the summer.

“These sessions are a great way to have fun, try something new, and discover the joy of reading. We’re really proud to offer such a wide range of free activities for families across the Island.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Secures Provisions to Reestablish NADBank Water Infrastructure Fund in Appropriations Bill

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today celebrated the inclusion of his provisions on the 1944 Water Treaty in the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026 to reestablish the North American Development Bank (NADBank)’s Water Infrastructure Fund and require a report on improving water storage and systems:

“The South Texas agriculture community has suffered due to Mexico’s refusal to comply with the Water Treaty, and they deserve relief and solutions,” said Sen. Cornyn. “My provisions to reestablish NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Fund and require a water systems report are an important step in the right direction to make Texas whole, and I’m grateful to the committee for including this critical language in the appropriations bill.”

Background:

Sen. Cornyn has led the charge in Congress to boost Texas’ water supply and ensure Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations to provide annual deliveries of water to South Texas farmers and ranchers. In addition to successfully securing more than $280 million in emergency assistance for Rio Grande Valley farmers and producers affected by the water shortage, he led a request earlier this year to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking for renewed efforts to push Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty while also securing Secretary Rubio’s commitment to hold Mexico accountable for delays.

Last year, Sen. Cornyn sent a letter to NADBank urging for the restoration of their Water Infrastructure Fund, raised alarms after a Rio Grande sugarcane mill closed due to acute water shortages, cosponsored a resolution supporting diplomacy, and sent a letter to then-U.S. Secretary of State Blinken urging the Department to engage on Mexico’s violation of the intent of the treaty. Senator Cornyn also led a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations urging them to withhold designated funds from Mexico until they enter into an agreement with the U.S. to balance the deficit of the water deliveries, which the House Appropriations Committee included in their funding bill.

Under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, Mexico is obligated to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a five-year cycle as its contribution to the Rio Grande’s water supply. However, Mexico has consistently delayed fulfilling its water obligation until the end of the five-year cycle, which hinders South Texas farmers’ ability to plan for and grow crops as well as ranchers’ ability to provide water to livestock. The current cycle ends in October and so far, Mexico has paid less than 700,000 acre-feet of water — less than half of what it owes, according to IBWC data.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Harmonic Radar on Tiny Travelers Means Smarter Crop Protection

Source: US Agriculture Research Service

Harmonic Radar on Tiny Travelers Means Smarter Crop Protection

By: Todd Silver
Email: Todd.Silver@usda.gov

With their insatiable hunger for succulent fruits and vegetables, fruit flies from the Tephritidae family are the bane of farmers and consumers alike. But recent ARS findings suggest that wind could play a major factor in surveillance, containment, and eradication of this destructive pest. Advanced technology in tracking the effects of wind dispersal on tiny, winged creatures in the wild promises to refine fruit fly management strategies, identify outbreak sources, and help scientists anticipate their movement, feeding, and mating patterns.

Several fruit flies from the Tephritidae fruit fly family are invasive to the U.S. and combine to cause millions, and during some seasons billions, in crop losses to American farmers. Beyond direct damage and control costs, if these pests were to become established on the U.S. mainland, they would become major barriers to international trade and prevent U.S. farmers from exporting to many of our trading partners.

Tephritid fruit fly with harmonic radar tag attached, marked with yellow fingernail polish.

The key to managing these pests is to understand their flying behaviors. Matthew Siderhurst recognized and addressed the complexity of tracing flies and deciphering wind-based patterns and now leads a team of scientists at the Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI, where their research will empower American farmers to protect their crops and reduce food waste. Groundbreaking research published in Environmental Entomology explains that harmonic radar tagging, initially developed for locating avalanche victims, can be used to study these fly pests. The method uses reflector tags that require no energy source of their own to bounce a signal back to a transceiver to map movement data.

Though attaching harmonic radar tags to the fruit flies requires painstaking precision, the mechanism is relatively simplistic: a superelastic 4-centimeter wire is connected to a diode, or one-way current semi-conductor, with an ultraviolet-activated adhesive. Next, electrical connections between the wires and diode contacts are secured with conductive silver paint. Check out the radar tags in this video.

Siderhurst said the study’s identification of outbreak patterns could predict environmental fluctuations influencing fruit fly behavior and enable farmers to adapt pest control methods. Contrary to historic consensus, this ARS-led research documented that fruit flies control their flight paths in response to wind cues as opposed to passive wind-driven movement.

“Most of us have seen a housefly buzz around a room and that movement appears random, but when we look at fruit flies, we see they show a fairly high degree of directional persistence,” Siderhurst said. “That is, they move in much straighter lines than expected, and individual flies appear to hold to a general heading when moving between trees.”

Tephritid fruit flies are about the size of a housefly and damage a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Further field testing with wild flies is warranted because the wind influenced the flies’ flight directionality, especially in movements between trees using lab-reared flies to avoid underestimating the flies’ natural movement abilities and overstate wind’s role in their flight.

Siderhurst acknowledged that most of the research thus far has proven the technique’s effectiveness, but work remains to answer further biological questions with the new tool. Further research, he said, will ideally reveal how habitat, vegetation density, and factors such as age, diet, and time of day affect insect flight patterns, with consideration of environmental influences like wind and open landscapes.

“Our approach is accessible and cost-effective,” Siderhurst said. “While you need good eyes and a steady hand, this technique is cost-effective and transceivers are available off the shelf, so there’s no need to build anything.”

For more information, visit the Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.

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The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: Governments, Partners Mobilizing School Meals Coalition to Equip Youth with Nutrition, Health, Education They Deserve, Deputy Secretary-General Says at Stocktake Event

Source: United Nations MIL OSI

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the UN Food Systems Summit+4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) School Meals Coalition Featured Event: “Unlocking Sustainable Investments for Home-Grown School Meals”, in Addis Ababa today:

It is truly inspiring to witness how far the School Meals Coalition has come. With over 100 Governments working together to expand and improve these strategic programmes, it is now one of the most successful global mobilizations in recent years.

First, I want to recognize the leadership that has brought us here, especially of the three co-chairs — Brazil, France and Finland — whose early and continued support has been instrumental to the Coalition’s success.

I also want to commend all Governments in the Coalition that are working resolutely to expand and strengthen their school meal programmes and that have achieved clear and measurable progress since the last Stocktake.

Today’s speakers are excellent examples. The progress we witness is being driven by Governments, but they are not walking alone. Partners across the School Meals Coalition are working hand in hand with Governments to deliver on their national commitments.

But, why is there so much momentum behind school meals? Why are so many Governments and partners making this a priority? Because school meals are more than just a plate of food. They are a lever to building more inclusive, sustainable food systems, and to equipping the next generation with the health, nutrition and education they deserve to reach their potential.

To truly pull that lever — to unlock its full power — we must focus on four key priorities.

First: Expand coverage and raise collective ambitions. As we’ve just heard from our distinguished speakers, momentum is building. Next to our Governments on stage, countries like Rwanda, which has achieved near-universal primary school coverage, and Indonesia, which is scaling up at an unprecedented pace, are showing what’s possible.

Now, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty has joined forces with the School Meals Coalition to rally Governments and development partners behind a bold global target: to reach an additional 150 million children in low- and middle-income countries by 2030, as agreed at the Group of 20 (G20) last year. This means moving from commitment to delivery with the School Meals Coalition and the Global Alliance working with countries ready to lead the way.

Second: Pull the lever — use procurement to transform food systems. Countries continue to harness the potential of school meal programmes to catalyse food systems transformation, including ambitious targets regarding procurement from smallholder farmers, but we must go further by aligning school-meal menus and procurement with nutrition, sustainability and social goals; by using clean cooking solutions in schools; by reducing food loss and waste; and through food, nutrition and climate education in schools.

Third: Integrate school meals into climate finance. When rooted in sustainability, school meals have enormous potential to advance climate mitigation and adaptationm and to promote biodiversity. The thirtieth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Brazil offers us a chance to move school meals from a climate blind spot to a climate solution. Let’s work to ensure these programmes are included in future Nationally Determined Contributions and embedded in climate financing pipelines where they belong.

Fourth: Plug the financing gap. The Sevilla Commitment, adopted a few weeks ago, calls on all of us to close the gap between ambition and means. But, with 35 low- and middle-income countries in high risk of or in debt distress, we must explore innovative financing solutions to ensure an economically stable future for those countries– from health taxes and natural resource revenues to debt swaps and Multilateral Development Bank investments.

We have much to learn from the innovation that has taken place in countries for the last two years since we last met in Rome as reported in the UNFSS+4 Report of the Secretary-General. Let’s make sure we use the momentum of the Sevilla Commitment to attract the finance that is needed.

Let me close with a powerful motto from a dear friend and leading advocate, Ndidi Nwuneli of the ONE Campaign. “Our job is not to scale our work. It’s to scale what works.” This is what we see across the School Meals Coalition: Governments and partners coming together to expand a solution that works.

So, let’s build on the progress we’ve made — and finish what we started in 2021: by 2030, every child receiving a healthy, nutritious meal in school. Let’s feed the future together.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 31, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rural News – Practical safety reforms welcome news for farmers – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is welcoming new Government proposals to make farm health and safety rules more practical and grounded in real-world farming.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today announced targeted consultation with farmers and the wider agriculture sector on health and safety rule changes.

Many of the proposed changes reflect what Federated Farmers and its members have been calling for, health and safety spokesperson David Birkett says .

“We’re really pleased the Minister has announced a raft of changes, and that she’ll be consulting directly with our sector to make sure any new rules are fit for the realities of farm life.

“This commitment to targeted consultation is a good sign farmers will be properly heard.”

Minister van Velden has announced the development of two new Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) – one on the roles and responsibilities in agriculture, and one on the safe use of farm vehicles and machinery.

“We’re very pleased to see WorkSafe will be developing an ACOP to provide clearer guidance on overlapping duties and PCBU responsibilities in agriculture.

“Farms are dynamic workplaces and we need greater clarity around who on the farm – whether it’s farmers, contractors or someone else – is responsible for particular health and safety duties, and how they can work together to manage risks.

“It’s also great to see movement on quad bike safety, because this is where most fatalities are happening. If we’re going to reduce harm, that’s the place to start.”

The Minister confirmed the Government will strengthen the ACOP model so businesses that comply with them have confidence they’re meeting their legal duties.

“This is something we’ve been calling for, and it will give farmers clarity and confidence,” Birkett says.

“We’re committed to working closely with WorkSafe throughout the process to make sure these codes are developed with farmers, not prescribed by Wellington bureaucrats.”

The Minister also announced a review of the rules around children carrying out light chores on family farms, such as feeding animals and watering plants.

“We strongly support clarification around what kinds of farm activities children can safely take part in,” Birkett says.

“Family farms are unique in that they are both a home and a workplace, and kids can learn a lot when they’re safely involved.”

Federated Farmers has worked closely with Minister van Velden since she first announced the health and safety review at the organisation’s Rural Advocacy Hub at Fieldays 2024.

Since then, the Minister has joined Federated Farmers for a national webinar and visited farmers to hear firsthand about the practical challenges they face.

“We’re proud to have played a meaningful role in helping get this reform process off the ground,” Birkett says.

“Farm safety is absolutely vital, but the rules need to be grounded in fairness, practicality and common sense.

“These proposals show we’re finally moving in the right direction, with clearer and more workable expectations for farmers.

“That said, we know there’s still work needed to lift the bar in our sector. Our priority now is helping farmers feel supported and confident to engage with health and safety in a way that genuinely reduces risk on-farm – not just ticks boxes.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 30, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: President Museveni Bids Farewell To Outgoing World Bank Country Manager, Mukami Kariuki

Source: APO

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today bid farewell to Ms. R. Mukami Kariuki, the outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Uganda at State House, Entebbe.

Ms. Kariuki, who assumed her role on August 1, 2021, has led the World Bank’s engagement with the Government of Uganda and overseeing the implementation of key development programs across the country.

In a cordial exchange, President Museveni thanked Ms. Kariuki for her dedicated service and extended his best wishes as she concluded her assignment.

“Thank you so much. I wish you good luck,” the President said.

Ms. Kariuki expressed her gratitude to the President and the Ugandan government for the collaboration extended to her throughout her tenure.

“Your Excellency, I appreciate the support and partnership we have had. It has been a pleasure working with Uganda,” she said.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Qimiao Fan, the World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda, who is based in Nairobi.

Mr. Fan noted the Bank’s keen interest in supporting Uganda’s agricultural transformation, job creation for the youth, and renewable energy development.

“Uganda has great potential. You have fertile soils, abundant sunshine for renewable energy, and a rapidly growing young population that needs jobs,” Mr. Fan said.

He emphasized the need to increase agricultural productivity through strategic investments in irrigation, improved transport networks, and access to better seeds and fertilizers.

“Despite your fertile soils, Uganda’s agricultural productivity remains relatively low. Investing in irrigation and logistics can help farmers access markets more effectively,” he added.

President Museveni responded by highlighting Uganda’s achievements in agricultural research, particularly in seed development and irrigation.

“We already have improved seeds for crops like coffee, bananas, maize, cassava, and potatoes. Our research centers have done their job. The challenge now is funding the uptake and supporting farmers to apply the technologies,” the President said.

He also highlighted the success of Prof. Florence Muranga from Bushenyi, who, through irrigation, harvests 53 tonnes of bananas per acre annually far exceeding the district’s average of 5 tonnes.

President Museveni further underscored the need to shift communities out of wetlands and into sustainable fish farming on the periphery, which would allow the use of swamp water for irrigation while restoring the wetland ecosystem.

“We want to move people from wetlands and support them to do fish farming on the edge. That way, we preserve the wetlands and still use the water for irrigation,” he explained.

He also reflected on the cultural importance of agriculture to Uganda, noting that many of the country’s staple crops such as millet, bananas, and cassava are indigenous and form part of Uganda’s agricultural heritage.

“Agriculture is part of our ancient heritage. These crops are not foreign; they are ours,” the President said.

He concluded by reaffirming the government’s readiness to engage further and collaborate on these areas of interest.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 30, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Africa Community of Practice showcases lessons from South Sudan on building resilient seed systems in fragile contexts

Source: APO

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The FAO Regional Office for Africa Resilience Team held its third virtual Community of Practice (CoP) meeting on 8 July 2025, bringing together FAO staff and technical experts from across the continent. The session focused on practical lessons from South Sudan on strengthening seed systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings. South Sudan has made strong progress in increasing the use of locally sourced seeds, moving from 15 percent to over 55 percent in recent years. This achievement is supported by FAO’s approach to working with both formal and informal seed systems, strengthening farmer cooperatives, training agro-dealers, and promoting local seed varieties.

To ensure seed quality at the local level, the country has introduced informal Seed Quality Control Boards (SQCBs) at state and county levels. These boards help monitor standards in the absence of fully operational national certification bodies

“We are not choosing between formal or informal systems,” noted Felix Dzvurumi, Senior Programme Officer and Deputy FAO Representative a.i. in South Sudan, during the virtual presentation. “We are designing practical solutions that work in fragile, rapidly changing environments.”

The session highlighted efforts to engage the private sector by encouraging partnerships between seed companies and farmer cooperatives. The South Sudan Seed Traders Association plays an important role in linking producers and buyers. At the same time, FAO is supporting the preservation of indigenous seed varieties, which are well-suited to local conditions and offer resilience against shocks like floods and pests. FAO’s support also includes work with the Ministry of Agriculture on a 10-year Agricultural Mechanization Plan, introducing tools such as seed planters, threshers, and cleaners to boost production. Seed fairs are being used to build trust and stimulate demand in local seed markets.

“Seed fairs give farmers direct access to seed options and suppliers, while building trust in the local system,” said Maurice Nyombe, National Crop Production Officer in South Sudan.

The virtual CoP provided a space for participants from across Africa to exchange experiences, raise questions, and learn from each other. Topics included early generation seed bottlenecks, local market development, farmer-led innovations, and improving FAO’s operational tools to meet field needs.

Facilitated by Priya Gujadhur, Senior Resilience Officer at FAO RAF, the session reinforced the value of the Community of Practice as a platform for shared learning and continuous improvement.

We are not just building systems—we’re building confidence, capacity, and long-term solutions,” said Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 30, 2025

Category: Farming

Harmonic Radar on Tiny Travelers Means Smarter Crop Protection

Source: Federated Farmers