Across the state, 54 percent of corn and 69 percent of soybeans have been harvested, according to the USDA. Typically, harvest is around 80 percent done by now. “Harvest is a little bit later compared to previous years, and of course, that goes back to, we had a delayed planting,” said Brad Uken, manager of the Champaign County Farm Bureau. To harvest soybeans, farmers have to wait until the ground is dry, while corn isn’t as sensitive. (News Gazette)

President Donald Trump touted China’s promise to buy as much as $50 billion in agricultural goods over two years in a trade deal, a boost to Midwest soybean farmers suffering from the current slump in trade. But a deadly disease in China has killed off many of the pigs who would have eaten those American soybeans, possibly putting that target out of reach. (Bloomberg)

The U.S. oil and corn industries continued a long-running public battle over America’s biofuels policy on Tuesday during a Congressional hearing about the Trump administration’s use of “secret waivers” for refineries. (Reuters)

Five Illinois Farm Bureau members, including Vice President Brian Duncan, will trek to Michigan this week to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). (FarmWeekNow)  

The biggest beef lobbying group in the United States is backing new legislation in Congress that would stop popular plant-based meat alternative companies—including Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods—from using the word “meat” to describe their products. The bipartisan legislation was proposed Monday by House representatives Anthony Brindisi and Roger Marshall. (Quartz)

The Agriculture Department released details Tuesday of a long-awaited regulatory process for production and transportation of industrial hemp. The agency will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days. The regulations contain both good and bad news for farmers concerned with crops that don’t measure up. (Agri-Pulse