House Democrats said Wednesday that a deal on the stalled U.S.-Mexico-Canada free-trade agreement is within reach and urged Mexico to accept a compromise on labor-rights enforcement. “We are on the 2 1/2-yard line,” Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal said about efforts to wrap up negotiations. (Bloomberg)  

Almost there, Illinois. All of Illinois soybeans have been harvested, according to USDA’s Crop Progress Report released Monday. About 93% of Illinois corn has been harvested – up from 88% the week prior. Illinois’ progress remains ahead of the national average. Nationally, 96% of soybeans and 89% of corn have been harvested according the latest report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). (FarmWeekNow)

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are calling on their lobbyists to work with USDA to address “longstanding policy on geographic origin statements,” a move that comes as the agency is being petitioned to look into disingenuous use of “Product of the U.S.A.” beef labels. (Agri-Pulse)

Diverse groups throughout Illinois actively involved with the local food movement are joining forces to expand the BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL statewide program. For consumers, that means whether they are looking for farm-to-fork friendly restaurants in Chicago, farmers market dates in Farmer City or wine tours in southern Illinois all the answers will soon be found in one directory. For farmers, it means a marketing format to get their names out beyond their own neighborhoods. (State Journal-Register)

Emissions of planet-warming carbon dioxide from fossil fuels hit a record high in 2019, researchers said Tuesday, putting countries farther off course from their goal of reducing climate change. (New York Times)

Trump aimed fresh rounds of tariffs at France, the EU and two South American countries within one 24-hour period, potentially upending any China trade talk progress and leading to market declines at the start of the month. (Forbes)