USDA Research Priorities for 2026 and China Tries to Reduce Soy Reliance
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**The USDA announced a new slate of research priorities for 2026, focusing on farm profitability, climate resilience and food system innovation.
Officials say upcoming competitive grants will emphasize soil health, water efficiency, pest and disease control, and technologies that help producers adapt to extreme weather.
The priorities also include improving nutrition, food safety and rural economic development.
Research investments are intended to deliver practical, science-based solutions producers can use on the ground.
**Efforts by China to reduce its reliance on imported soybeans are raising questions about the long-term outlook for U.S. soybean exports.
Analysts say China, the world’s largest soybean buyer, has been encouraging lower soybean meal use in livestock feed and expanding domestic oilseed production.
While imports remain high, any sustained reduction could have ripple effects on global markets.
U.S. farmers rely heavily on export demand, with China getting a significant share of shipments.
**Beef prices are expected to continue climbing in the coming year as tight cattle supplies here and abroad strain the global market.
U.S. cattle inventories remain near multi-decade lows with shrinking herds.
At the same time, Brazil, the world’s largest beef exporter, is seeing reduced exportable supplies due to herd cycles and strong domestic demand.
The combination is limiting available beef at a time when consumer demand has remained relatively steady.
