For the past two months, China has been buying U.S. soybeans at a faster pace, according to reports. (The Center Square)

Australia’s food exporters are facing a challenging year, with the value of shipments set to drop by 10%, as the country grapples with souring Chinese ties, shrinking meat sales and a virus-driven downturn in demand. (Bloomberg)  

Now more than ever, farm-to-table restaurants need support. To help promote these restaurants that are going the extra mile to source from area farmers, Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois is launching the inaugural Favorite Farm-to-Table Awards, a two week campaign to help diners find farm-to-table restaurants in their area. (WCIA

Bloomington hopes to open its regular indoor markets in November and December while offering another hybrid market January through April. But the city is waiting for more guidance from the Illinois Farmers Market Association before formalizing plans. (The Pantagraph)  

China is so desperate to rebuild pig herds after swine fever that its banks are experimenting with loans to farmers backed by a novel asset: their hogs. (Wall Street Journal)

With wildfires roaring through the western United States, a U.S. Senate subcommittee will consider a bill tomorrow that would implement a variety of wildfire-mitigation projects. (Sierra Sun Times)