The Illinois State Fair had a record-breaking run this year, drawing $6.5 million in estimated revenue during its 11-day August run, according to figures released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Revenue topped the 2018 state fair pull by $750,000, and surpassed the previous record of $6.4 million, set in 2013. “This fair brought in record-breaking revenue …highlighted our tremendous agriculture industry and supported incredible small businesses from across the state,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a prepared statement. (Chicago Tribune)

A Chinese delegation will visit American farm regions with U.S. officials next week in an effort to build goodwill amid ongoing trade negotiations, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters on Thursday. “They want to see the production of agriculture. I think they want to build goodwill,” Perdue said, adding that it was unclear where specifically they would visit. (Reuters)

High-level U.S. and Chinese agricultural trade officials are prominent in trade talks this week as Gregg Doud, the top ag negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, and Han Jun, China’s vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, met together with others at USTR’s Washington headquarters Thursday. If all goes well with the talks this week, USTR Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are expected to sit down with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and others in early October. Talks this week will continue through Friday. (Agri-Pulse)

On Thursday, all former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture since President Reagan’s Administration announced support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter to Congressional leaders, former Secretaries John Block (Reagan), Mike Espy (Clinton), Dan Glickman (Clinton), Ann Veneman (W. Bush), Mike Johanns (W. Bush), Ed Shafer (W. Bush), and Tom Vilsack (Obama) underscored the importance of passing USMCA. (USDA)

Farmers could face another challenging fall fertilizer application season due to early harvest delays caused by immature crops. But, on the bright side, those looking to book fertilizer could have opportunities to lock in lower prices compared to last year. Large inventories of various nutrient sources should pressure prices into the fall season and offer buying opportunities. (FarmWeekNow)  

U.S. Customs and Border Protection works to keep citizens safe from threats, some of which can come in the shape of fruits and vegetables. Tucked away in a room at JFK Airport are fruits, vegetables, meats, rice, plants and other items seized within the past 24 hours from travelers. “Our main concern is the pest risk to our agricultural system here in the U.S.,” said Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist Caitlyn McDougall. Learn about the beagles who sniff out undeclared items, and where these food items end up from CBS New York.