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China steps up U.S. soybean purchases ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
China has increased purchases of U.S. soybeans following a May summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, providing a boost for American soybean exporters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported China purchased 238,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans last week. Bloomberg said that puts purchases roughly one-quarter of the way toward a U.S. commitment for China to buy at least 25 million tons annually through 2028. The Trump administration has also said China...
Market macroeconomics going into 2026
During a presentation at the recent 2025 NAFB National Convention in Kansas City, Global Commodity Analytics President Mike Zuzolo discussed some of the biggest macroeconomic factors affecting the markets going into 2026. Zuzolo says that oversupply of some key...
Naig highlights export potential and challenges in Indonesia
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the second stop of the recent Iowa agricultural trade mission to Southeast Asia highlighted both the opportunities and the hurdles that remain in the Indonesian market. While Vietnam offered immediate expansion potential,...
AFBF study: farmers urgently need economic assistance
USDA’s most recent reports, including Commodity Costs and Returns, World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates, and Farm Sector Income & Finances reports, all confirm what U.S. agriculture has known for years. U.S. farm income is under immense pressure. A new...
Cattle supplies in the U.S. remain tight
Cattle supplies blamed for high beef prices remain tight, according to the latest USDA cattle reports. That’s USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell who says that all of the data on cattle shows just how low supplies are right now. He points to several factors that...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-27-25)
Planting progress in South America continues as the global market situation continues to shake up the U.S. grain marketplace. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest forecasts for both Brazil and Argentina. As pod fill approaches for the...
How will proposed H-2A changes impact farmers and farmworkers?
In late September, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was lowering the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate, better known as AEWR. If the interim rule is adopted, it means rates will drop to around $1.80 an hour in Idaho, $2.10 in Oregon, and nearly $2.50 an hour in...
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USMEF aiding response to Mexico’s anti-dumping probe
Mexico in December launched an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation on pork hams and shoulders. According to U.S Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror, USMEF is assisting exporters in providing information to Mexican...
Tariff ruling could have big implications for agriculture
A decision from the Supreme Court is expected any day regarding the legality of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, and that decision could have immense implications. Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist for StoneX Group, said the Trump Administration does...
Breaking down the numbers in USDA’s January meat outlook
USDA recently issued its first projections this year for meat production and prices. For the most part, increased production and price forecasts for the prior month are on display in the USDA January meat outlook. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark...
Brazil passes U.S. as top beef producer
Market estimates show that Brazil surpassed the U.S. as the world’s number one beef producer in 2025. Reuters said that happened after Brazil beat output forecasts by hundreds of thousands of tons, easing a global supply squeeze and helping limit a surge in meat...
Agribusiness Association of Iowa to host 2026 Showcase
As Iowa agriculture continues to navigate market uncertainty, global competition, and ongoing policy debates, industry leaders will soon have an opportunity to step back and focus on the broader picture. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa’s annual Showcase and...
