Apple Exports Steady and Chinese Behind on U.S. Ag Purchases

The Agribusiness Update
About 1 in 4 U.S. fresh-market apples have been exported since the mid-2000s, and China's purchases of U.S. ag products other than soybeans are on track for their lowest level in seven years.

Foreign Owned Agricultural Land

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
In 2024, foreign entities controlled an increasing number of agricultural acres.

Export Exchange 2026 in Seattle and China Orders More U.S. Soybeans

The Agribusiness Update
More than 500 international buyers from over 50 countries were in Seattle last week for Export Exchange 2026, and Chinese trading firms purchased another 10 to 13 cargoes of U.S. soybeans, signaling renewed demand from China.

U.S. Beef Exports Climb, But China Remains a Challenge

California Ag Today
Strong demand from Taiwan and South Korea boosts August beef export value, while trade barriers continue to weigh on the broader market.

Washington's First HPAI Case and Ag Lending Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in two Yakima County dairy farms, and Ag lending at commercial banks continued to grow during the second quarter.

Vilsack to Speak at Brooks Event and Ag Lending Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
Former Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack will make a presentation at this year's D.W. Brooks Signature Event Nov. 19 at the University of Georgia, and Ag lending at commercial banks continued to grow during the second quarter.

U.S.-China Trade Framework Includes Cotton

California Ag Today
Cotton leaders are watching potential tariff relief as dairy, poultry and other agricultural products also make the list.

Farm Bill Expires, What is Going on With Sulphur?

Line on Agriculture
The 2018 Farm Bill’s expiration has put new Conservation Reserve Program contracts and some other agricultural programs on hold. Meanwhile, sulfur supply concerns—including restricted exports and disruptions to global trade—are creating uncertainty for farmers, even though sulfur-based fertilizers were unexpectedly cheap this summer.

Winegrapes Reduce Labor and USMCA Meeting

The Agribusiness Update
California farmworkers suffered a wave of job losses the past few years as work in the state’s winegrape vineyards dried up amid a market slump, and U.S., Mexican, and Canadian officials are meeting this week as part of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

PLANTERS Nut Mobile and USMCA Meeting

The Agribusiness Update
The PLANTERS® NUTmobile is hitting the road and PLANTERS® is seeking three adventurous Peanutters to join the ride in June, and U.S., Mexican, and Canadian officials are meeting this week as part of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

FFA Next Gen Conference and Trump & Xi Reach Agreement

The Agribusiness Update
The National FFA recently hosted its third Next Gen Conference of the year, bringing 72 FFA members from 23 states to Kansas City for a closer look at careers in animal agriculture, and President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping agree to a two-month extension of their tariff truce and announced next steps for their Board of Trade.

Food Waste Prevention Week and US-China Tariff Reduction

The Agribusiness Update
Washington communities are taking action to keep food out of landfills and support a healthier, more resilient food system, and the U.S. and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries, including U.S. ag commodities.

GFB's I Farm - I Vote Campaign and US-China Tariff Reduction

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau's I Farm. I Vote. campaign is encouraging Georgians to become informed, engaged and active participants in the electoral process, and the U.S. and China have agreed to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries, including U.S. ag commodities.

Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farm Land

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
More than half of U.S. states now have some type of restriction on foreign ownership of agricultural land.

Xi and Trump Talk Trade and Diesel Prices Skyrocket

The Agribusiness Update
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Trump in Washington last week and agreed to extend their trade truce through Jan. 10, and record-high diesel prices are pressuring farmers while the Trump administration considers whether restricting diesel exports could provide relief.

Country of Origin Labeling and Farm Economy has Changed Since 2018 Farm Bill

The Agribusiness Update
Mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef moved closer to returning after the Senate Ag Committee advanced its 2026 farm bill, and the farm economy has changed significantly since the last farm bill was enacted in 2018.

California Ag Tech Show and China's Soybean Purchases

The Agribusiness Update
Ag technology took center stage at a field day last month as a dozen developers showed off “smart” weeders, autonomous bird hazers and an autonomous lettuce harvester, and China purchased about 1 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans last week, providing a boost to American growers.

Sulfur Prices Need Help and China's Soybean Purchases

The Agribusiness Update
Florida lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to address sharply higher sulfur prices that threaten domestic phosphate fertilizer production and increase costs, and China purchased about 1 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans last week, providing a boost to American growers.

Washington Apples to Asian Markets

Fruit Grower Report
About 30% of Washington's apple crop is exported each year, with Asian countries making up the most significant regional destination.

Tarriff Free Beef to Enter the US, Brazil Fades as US Ethanol Competitor

Line on Agriculture
President Trump announced a 90-day tariff-free import of 300,000 metric tons of ground beef.

Brazil's ethanol industry expansion, driven by Chinese investment, is reducing Brazil's role in the global corn market.