China agrees to major U.S. ag purchase plan (Agri-Pulse): U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. and China have reached agreement on the “substantial framework” of a trade deal that includes major agricultural purchases by China. Bessent, speaking during a trip with President Donald Trump, said that thanks to the administration’s leverage (including threat — and potential use — of significantly increased tariffs on Chinese exports), China has committed to boosting purchases of U.S. farm goods.
He emphasized that soybean producers, in particular, should find this promising “for this year and for coming years.” While he didn’t provide detailed numbers, the implication for farmers is strong: more reliable export demand from China could help stabilize markets for crops such as soybeans, and potentially improve farm income in the near term.
USDA says SNAP funding will halt on November 1st (NPR): The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed all states that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will expire at the end of October, meaning regular benefits will not be issued on November 1 unless the federal government reopens. The department said alternative funding sources—such as the $5 billion contingency fund and other nutrition–program reserves—are not legally available to cover routine SNAP payments.
For farmers and rural communities, this development is particularly important. Many agricultural workers and low-income households in farm country depend on SNAP to purchase groceries—when those benefits vanish, local retail and food supply chains may feel the strain. With fewer dollars in pockets across farm towns, expect potential reductions in local food purchases, tighter demand in labor-market segments that rely on SNAP-eligible households, and rising stress on food banks and extension-services that often support farm families.