China is loading up on American corn and soybeans, profits from oilseeds processing have rebounded, and a drought in Brazil is boosting prices. Even the beleaguered biofuels market is improving. (Bloomberg)

Earlier this month, Illinois launched a $5 million grant program to help livestock farmers and small meat and poultry plants offset COVID-19 business losses. The Illinois Department of Agriculture is still accepting grant applications but must receive them by Oct 31. Visit our Livestock Resources page for more information.

New York State is the second leading producer of the tasty fruit in the country. The 8th annual Big Apple Crunch Challenge hopes to encourage folks to buy a New York State apple now that harvest time is here and help support local agriculture and family farms. (WGRZ)

The UK has completed its first large post-Brexit trade deal after signing an agreement with Japan that will take effect from January 1st. (The Irish Times)

As the coronavirus outbreak surges across the country, many rural communities — places which were largely spared during the early months of the pandemic — are now seeing an unprecedented spike in infections and hospitalizations. (St. Louis Public Radio

Though food prices that spiked during the summer have started to come down, staples like milk and meat remain much pricier than usual, pinching the budgets of millions of Americans who can ill afford higher grocery bills. (Chicago Tribune)