U.S. soybean stakeholders urge President Trump to prioritize trade with China (Morning Ag Clips): The American Soybean Association (ASA) is pressing President Trump to make soybeans a top priority in U.S.-China trade talks, warning that retaliatory tariffs are cutting farmers off from their largest export market just as the 2025 harvest approaches.
In a letter sent yesterday to the White House, ASA urged the removal of Chinese tariffs and asked for commitments on future soybean purchases. A companion white paper detailed the financial risks of losing long-term access to China.
ASA President and Kentucky soybean farmer Caleb Ragland said farmers face severe financial pressure, with falling soybean prices and rising input costs leaving them unable to withstand a prolonged trade conflict.
China traditionally buys over 60% of the world’s soybeans, and the U.S. was once its leading supplier. But tariffs now make U.S. soybeans 20% more expensive than South American crops, prompting China to shift heavily to Brazilian imports.
USDA releases report showing family farms account for 95% of all U.S. farms (USDA NASS Press Release): According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the number of family farms fell 8% from 2017.
The farm typology report focuses on the “family farm,” defined as operations where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and related individuals. Farms are classified by ownership and gross cash farm income (GCFI), which includes crop and livestock sales, production contract fees, government payments, and other farm-related income.
According to NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons, typology is essential for understanding the diversity of America’s 1.9 million farms and their economic and community impact.
The data shows small family farms (GCFI under $350,000) represent 85% of all U.S. farms, 39% of farmland, and 14% of the value of production. Large family farms (GCFI over $1 million) make up less than 4% of farms but generate 51% of production value.
Since 2017, the number of family farms has fallen 8% (159,000 farms). Mid-size, large, and very large farms grew by 2%, 40%, and 65%, while small family farms declined 10% (low sales) and 7% (moderate sales).
- Various sources report on leaked MAHA report (Food Politics): In her blog, Marion Nestle aggregates the reporting on the highly anticipated MAHA draft.