A "fence" strategy could help farmers take advantage of some of the uncertainty during the next few months but still allows some protection to the downside and a shot at higher prices.

While it's called the U.S. Department of Agriculture, much of the USDA budget is focused on nutritional programs. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., argued in an interview with the New York Times that Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, would change the direction of USDA to focus on hunger.