November 19, 2025

China Buys Almost One Million Tons of U.S. Soybeans

Two traders with knowledge of the deal told Reuters that China bought at least 14 cargoes of U.S. soybeans on Monday. It’s the largest Chinese purchase since early in 2025 and the most significant since a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi (ZHEE) Jinping during an October summit in Busan (boo-SAHN), South Korea. “China is buying the soybeans to meet the pledges it made to Washington D.C., even though the cargoes are more expensive than the prices Brazil charges for similar shipments,” Reuters said. “The bigger round of soybean buys from the U.S. is no longer a goodwill gesture but a manifestation of China’s commitment to the Busan terms.” China’s state-owned grain trader COFCO (KOFF-coh) bought at least 840,000 metric tons for shipment in December and January. During the government shutdown, USDA data showed China bought 232,000 metric tons of soybeans, bringing the total to almost one million metric tons. 

***********************************************************************************
U.S. Ag Groups React to New EPA WOTUS Proposal

Groups like the American Soybean Association applauded the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers for proposing a more workable version of the “Waters of the United States” rule for agriculture. “For too long, shifting interpretations have created real uncertainty about whether everyday decisions might trigger federal oversight,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said WOTUS has been a longstanding and frustrating issue. “This WOTUS announcement acknowledges that the government should work to protect lakes, rivers, and oceans, rather than regulating ditches and ponds on family farms and ranches,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture said the federal government has recognized the states’ expertise in managing and protecting local lands and resources. As NASDA previously stated, states are currently responsible for enforcing more than 96 percent of federal water laws in the Clean Water Act. 

***********************************************************************************
TFI Reacts to Fertilizer Tariff Exemption

President Donald Trump announced that many fertilizers U.S. farmers rely on will be exempt from reciprocal tariffs. The Fertilizer Institute said it’s extremely good news for the industry. “The Fertilizer Institute appreciates the Trump administration’s continued recognition of the importance of fertilizers to America’s food security, national security, well-being, and health,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “While the U.S. has robust domestic fertilizer manufacturing and production, it’s a net fertilizer importer and relies on both domestic production and imports during the busy spring planting and fall application periods.” He also said the fertilizer market is highly competitive and characterized by a complex web of global supply and demand factors. “Without farmers, there would be no fertilizer industry, and as farmers continue to face economic challenges, the focus of the industry remains promoting a stable industry that supports U.S. agriculture and ensures affordable food prices for American families,” Rosenbusch added. 

**********************************************************************************
Beef May Reach Ten Dollars Per Pound 

Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe (REM-pee) said, unfortunately, America’s beef bills will likely keep climbing. He told Fox News that the nation’s shrinking cattle supply and continued record demand are driving the possibility of ten-dollar-per-pound  ground beef that could stretch family budgets for some time. “We need to get our arms around this in the U.S.,” he said. “By the third quarter of next year, American families are going to see ten dollars a pound for ground beef in the grocery store, so we’re in for a bit of a haul here.” He added that prices likely won’t come down in a significant way until 2027. “Heifer retention is a decision that the rancher and feedlot operator make to hold back female animals to help rebuild the herd,” Rempe said. “It’s a double-edged sword, because that means the supply is going to continue shrinking as fewer cattle go to market.” 

***********************************************************************************
Sales of Tractors and Combines Drop in October

Data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers said U.S. sales of agricultural tractors dropped 19 percent in October 2025 compared to October 2024, while combine sales decreased 27 percent during the same time frame. Canadian sales of agricultural tractors dropped 11 percent, while combine sales dropped 17 percent in October compared to last year. “This month’s decline in sales follows a slight uptick in both Canadian and U.S. sales in September,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president at AEM. “However, we understand the uncertainty and volatility that remains in the marketplace.” The biggest drop in U.S. tractor sales was in the four-wheel drive segment, which fell to 316 sold in October 2025 compared to the same month last year, a 56 percent decline. U.S. combine sales totaled 514 in October 2024, falling to 376 this year, a 27 percent drop. Year-to-date combine sales were down 38 percent compared to 2024.

***********************************************************************************
Groups Launch ESA Education Resource for Farmers

CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology have released new educational tools to help farmers, ag retailers, and pesticide applicators understand and comply with pesticide labels that contain Endangered Species Act language. The resources include an introductory ESA 101 presentation and a series of short instructional videos that help explain how to determine if any runoff and spray drift requirements need to be met, as well as how to use the Environmental Protection Agency’s online compliance tools. “Our industry is committed to protecting endangered species and the ecosystems that we all rely on,” said Alexandra Dunn, the president and CEO of CLA. “By offering clear and practical resources for pesticide label compliance, we are showing our continued support for farmers and applicators who need to have reliable access to weed, pest, and disease control technologies to maintain productivity, responsibly and sustainably.” 

***********************************************************************************