Trade talks between the U.S. and China are reported going "very well" by administration officials. The Senate approves key positions at USDA and EPA and Trump steel tariffs could increase canned food prices.

The globe is keeping a close eye on trade talks between the U.S. and China. U.S. corn and soybean crops improve over the last week and traders offer their projections in front of the USDA WASDE report Thursday.

President Donald Trump announces trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are set for Monday in London.  Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins wraps up her trade delegation to Italy.

Representatives of the National Pork Producers Council continue to call on Congress to approve a completely new farm bill. NPPC is pleased that the reconciliation package included needed farm program updates, but say the budget bill doesn't include everything the industry needs.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Aging held a hearing this afternoon addressing the aging farm workforce and loss of family farmers. Witnesses shared economics including labor rates, low commodity prices and foreign imports were major obstacles to farm profitability.

As promised, President Trump is raising tariffs on aluminum and steel. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley supports whole milk on school menus and the World Pork Expo opens tomorrow at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

The USDA reported corn and soybean planting advanced over the past week while crop condition for both crops is well over two-thirds good to excellent. The advanced planting and crop ratings is proving bearish for commodity futures prices.

Comments from former Agriculture Secretaries Dan Glickman and Mike Johanns preview this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers as well as comments from House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig who's featured in the upcoming Agri-Pulse Open Mic. Reconciliation, tariffs and farm programs are featured topics.

The legal challenge over President Trump's authority to impose tariffs on global trading partners took another turn this afternoon. A stay will allow the U.S. to continue to collect tariffs until the appeal process plays out.

Over 300 agriculture and related groups sent a letter calling on Congress to enact the bipartisan Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act. The groups say state labeling requirements contradict EPA's scientific findings on pesticide safety.