October 31, 2025
China Commits to Future Soybean Buys
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that China has agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans this year. Bloomberg said that’s brought some relief to American farmers pushing for resumption of trade with China, the world’s biggest soybean importer. Bessent told Fox Business that China will also buy a minimum of 25 million tons annually for the following three years. President Donald Trump said China will start buying immediately and will be purchasing “tremendous” amounts of soybeans, but he didn’t provide additional details on the size of purchases. “The 12 million tons wasn’t surprising as China has little need for additional soybeans because of ample shipments from South America,” said Brian Grete (GRAY-tee) of Commstock. “In the longer term, buying 25 million tons a year would basically be getting back to normal.” Chinese commercial purchases would require Beijing to roll back the tariffs imposed on U.S. soybeans earlier this year.
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Rural Mainstreet Index Reaches Five-Year Low
For the eighth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below a growth-neutral score of 50.0. That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region dependent on agriculture. The October reading was 34.6, its lowest level since May 2020, down from 38.5 in September. “Weak agriculture commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the region,” said Creighton University’s Ernie Goss (GAHS). While tariffs are producing higher economic volatility, 72 percent of bank CEOs gauge President Trump’s approach to China as “about right.” In other areas, farmland prices sank below growth-neutral for the 17th time in 18 months. Farm loan delinquency rates rose from a very low 1.1 percent in June 2025 to 1.6 percent this month. The farm equipment sales index increased to a weak 18.8 from 15.2 in September, the 26th-straight month below growth neutral.
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Ethanol Production Drops, Supplies Rise
The Energy Information Administration said ethanol output fell week-to-week while inventories increased during the week that ended on October 24. Production of the biofuel declined to an average of 1.036 million barrels a day during the week, the agency said in a government report that hasn’t been affected so far by the government shutdown. In the Midwest, by far the largest-producing region of the country, output dropped to 1.036 million barrels a day, on average, from 1.051 million the week before. Gulf Coast production fell to 1.036 million barrels, the EIA said. East Coast production was unchanged at 12,000 barrels a day, and Rocky Mountain output was steady at 10,000 barrels a day. The West Coast was the lone gainer, rising to an average of 10,000 barrels a day. Ethanol inventories rose to 22.367 million barrels. The EIA said that’s up from 21.919 million barrels the previous week.
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Mexico: Still No Date to Resume Beef Exports to the U.S.
Mexico and the U.S. haven’t yet agreed to resume Mexican beef cattle exports into the U.S. amid the outbreak of the New World Screwworm in Mexico. Mexico’s ag minister announced that during a press conference with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Julio (WHO-lee-oh) Berdegue spoke with U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins in a video conference and said they made advances, but still don’t have a date for reopening the U.S. border to Mexican cattle. The two top agriculture officials agreed to test modular mobile plants in Mexico that could increase sterile fly production by up to 20 million additional flies each week, if they are successful. The U.S. government has kept its border mostly closed to Mexican cattle imports since May because of the New World Screwworm, which can infest and kill large numbers of cattle if untreated. The infestation has moved from Central America into Mexico, rattling livestock producers in each country.
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Chicken Council Comments on “Ultra-Processed Foods”
The National Chicken Council recently submitted detailed comments on developing a uniform definition of “ultra-processed foods.” The comments were in response to a request for information from the Food and Drug Administration and the USDA. NCC expressed significant concerns about a classification system and contends that FDA and USDA should bolster existing frameworks and consumer education as science evolves, instead of pursuing a classification system at all. However, should the agencies choose to move forward with a classification system, NCC urges the use of a uniform, science-based approach to characterizing foods – one that prioritizes nutritional composition and ingredient function over the number of processing steps or ingredients. “We urge the agencies to adopt a nutrition-led framework that promotes the consumption of safe, affordable, and culturally important proteins like chicken,” said Dr. Ashley Peterson, NCC senior vice president of scientific affairs. “Should they choose to pursue a classification system, we’ll work together.”
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National FFA Convention to Stay in Indianapolis Till 2040
The National FFA announced that the National FFA Convention & Expo will continue to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, through at least 2040. The announcement was made during the kickoff event for the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, which brings more than 71,000 FFA members, advisors, alumni, and supporters to Indianapolis from across the country. “We’re thrilled about the opportunity to continue calling Indianapolis home for our convention through 2040,” said Cheryl Zimmerman, National FFA Organization Executive Secretary. “This city has proven time and again to be an incredible partner, welcoming our members with open arms, providing world-class facilities, and helping us create life-changing experiences for students in agricultural education.” She also said extending the convention contract ensures FFA can keep building on that strong foundation and inspiring the next generation of agriculture leaders for years to come. Each year, the Convention and Expo brings about $40 million to Indianapolis.
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