U.S. and China Extend Trade Truce

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Donald Trump in Washington this week after U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to extend their trade truce through Jan. 10. According to The Associated Press, the extension maintains a pause on new tariffs and trade restrictions while giving both leaders more time to negotiate at upcoming international meetings. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said some Chinese commitments remain unmet, although China has been a strong buyer of U.S. soybeans in 2026, while lagging in other agricultural purchases. U.S. farmers and commodity groups are urging both countries to reach a more stable, enforceable agreement that improves market access and reduces tariffs on American farm products. Leaders from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, U.S. Soybean Export Council, and American Soybean Association say farmers need greater certainty and predictability in trade with China, as reported by Agri-Pulse. However, analysts told Reuters that a major new agricultural deal appears unlikely.

Environmental Group Sues EPA for Dicamba Records

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a federal lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. The suit claims the EPA failed to release records the group requested under the Freedom of Information Act about its decision to allow over-the-top use of the herbicide dicamba on dicamba-resistant soybeans and cotton during the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons. Dicamba, a herbicide prone to volatilization and off-target drift, was approved for over-the-top application on dicamba-resistant crops in 2016. Since then, federal courts have twice vacated EPA approvals for those uses, most recently in 2024. Despite those rulings, EPA announced in February that it would once again permit over-the-top dicamba applications for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons. Before that decision, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted multiple FOIA requests seeking documents related to dicamba and EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. The lawsuit claims EPA improperly withheld records and asks the court to compel the agency to release the requested documents.

DMI Board Selects New President and CEO to Lead Checkoff

Dairy Management Inc. has named Corey Scott as its next president and CEO. Scott will become the third leader in the organization’s history, succeeding Barbara O’Brien, who will retire following the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting in October. Scott currently serves as president and CEO of Midwest Dairy, where she oversees dairy checkoff programs across a 10-state region. She previously held leadership roles with Athian and Land O’Lakes. In her new role with DMI, she will lead more than 150 employees on behalf of more than 23,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers, while also serving as president and CEO of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “America's dairy farmers have built one of the most respected and successful checkoff organizations in agriculture, and I am honored by the opportunity to serve them,” Scott said. “The work of the dairy checkoff remains critical to growing dairy demand, connecting with today’s consumers and creating new opportunities for the next generation of farmers and importers.” O’Brien is retiring after a 25-year career with DMI.

NFU Opposes Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Rail Merger

National Farmers Union is opposing the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, urging the Surface Transportation Board to reject the deal. NFU argues the merger would give a single railroad control of nearly half of U.S. rail traffic and further reduce competition in an already consolidated industry. “History has shown us that when railroads consolidate, family farmers pay the price,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Decades of mergers have left farmers with fewer options, higher rates, and less reliable service.” NFU says farmers are already facing financial pressure from high input costs, uncertain trade policies, and rising transportation expenses. The organization says less rail competition could lead to higher shipping rates and poorer service for agricultural shippers. As part of its policy priorities, NFU supports stronger Surface Transportation Board oversight, enforcement of antitrust laws to prevent additional rail mergers, and competition.

Sorghum Celebrates Outstanding Achievement Awardees

National Sorghum Producers presented Dr. Scott Bean and Dr. Brent Bean with the Outstanding Achievement Award in Sorghum Improvement. Scott Bean has spent three decades advancing the industry’s knowledge of sorghum proteins and how they can evolve in processing. His work has connected scientific research to real-world applications, giving breeders and processors better tools to evaluate sorghum. “Much of Scott’s research focused on sorghum proteins and how they change during processing. He helped explain how starch influences food quality, digestibility, and fermentation,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “That science supports use in many different areas, especially in the gluten-free foods industry.” Brent Bean spent four decades turning agronomic research into practical solutions for farmers. His work guided growers through crises, especially during the 2013 sugarcane aphid outbreak. “When I look back at Dr. Bean’s career… this continues to be a passion of his today: talking about growth stages, heat units, and what it really looks like from a crop standpoint,” Lust said.

Wheat Harvest Nears Finish with Strong Quality

Harvest of the 2026 hard red spring and northern durum wheat crops is nearing completion, with only a limited number of fields remaining in northern growing regions. The latest Harvest Report from U.S. Wheat Associations says current samples indicate generally strong quality. The hard red spring harvest is 95% complete in North Dakota and Montana. Average protein is 14.7%, above the five-year average. However, test weight and kernel size are slightly below average due to growing season stress in some areas. Northern durum harvest is 95% complete in Montana and 87% complete in North Dakota. Protein levels remain above last year and the five-year average. Recent rainfall affected color and vitreous kernel levels in some areas, but overall quality remains solid. Meanwhile, USDA reports about 20% of the 2027/28 winter wheat crop has been planted, and 5% has emerged.

Friday Watch List

Markets

Friday looks to be a quiet end to the week for reports, USDA has a series of updates being released at 2 p.m. CDT, such as the monthly Cold Storage report as well as the monthly Poultry Slaughter report. Afterwards at 2:30 p.m. CDT, CFTC will release the Commitments of Traders report, wrapping up the week with a look into trader positions as of Tuesday, September 22.

Weather

A zone of showers continues to build across the South-Central U.S. from New Mexico up into Iowa on Friday morning. This zone will continue to be active throughout most of the day, creating some areas of heavy rain and potential for localized flooding. A system will also be moving from the Pacific Northwest into the Canadian Prairies with strong winds, but minimal precipitation.