The United States still demands a dairy fix in the North American Free Trade Agreement, but Canada still wants to protect its dairy industry. While Canada may be ready to give some concessions on dairy market access, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his allies have strong political motivations to stand firm. A trade lawyer told Politico this week that much of the focus is on Canada’s Class 7 milk, a class created last year that has disrupted trade between the U.S. and Canada. The trade expert says those talks are “highly technical” and will take days to complete, but suggested an agreement is still possible, “even likely this week.” Talks between the U.S. and Canada are expected to continue with an overall goal to complete the agreement by the end of this month. Mexico officials are also back in Washington, DC to propel the handshake agreement between the U.S. and Mexico forward.

Garth Brooks, will take the stage in Indianapolis for a private show at this year’s 91st National FFA Convention & Expo. The youth leadership organization is dedicated to preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture, and boasts a membership of nearly 670,000 nationwide. The National FFA Convention & Expo remains one of the largest student conventions in the world, annually drawing more than 65,000 attendees. “The National FFA Convention & Expo is a celebration of our members, and what better way to celebrate by providing them the opportunity to hear a legend perform at our convention,” says Mark Poeschl, CEO of the National FFA Organization. “I’m excited to welcome Garth and his team to the National FFA Convention. I know our guests will be thrilled to experience Garth in concert!” Garth will take the stage Oct. 24 at Lucas Oil Stadium for a once in a lifetime experience for the exclusive crowd attending this year’s national FFA convention and expo.

China this week lowered its forecast for the 2018-2019 import season for soybeans due to the trade conflict between the U.S. and China. Farmers are reducing their use of soybeans in animal feed in China as China has placed massive tariffs on U.S. soybeans. Imports of soybeans in the crop year that starts on October first will be 83.65 million metric tons, down 10.2 million from last month’s estimate of 93.85 million, according to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Overall, the forecast is lower than the 93.9 million metric tons imported during the 2017-2018 crop year. China also claims the lower forecast is due to the promotion of lower-protein feed for livestock and poultry, and falling profits at pig farms reducing demand for soybean meal. China also raised its corn demand outlook on rising feed consumption and an expected increased ethanol production. Reuters reports that the outlook illustrates how China’s vast pig farming sector is rapidly adjusting to a possible prolonged trade dispute with Washington. In July, China imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans.

The Department of Agriculture Thursday released details of the trade aid package calculations for payments, a method previously unknown and questioned by some ag sectors. As the Trump Administration talked with lawmakers on the trade package, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue released a “detailed accounting” of how USDA calculated estimated damage from trade disruptions. Perdue says the Chief Economist office of USDA developed an estimate of gross trade damages for commodities with assessed retaliatory tariffs by Canada, China, the European Union, Mexico, and Turkey to set commodity payment rates and purchase levels in the trade mitigation package announced by USDA earlier this month. Perdue says USDA used the same approach often used in World Trade Organization trade dispute cases. The full description of the Trade Damage Estimation for the Market Facilitation Program and Food Purchase and Distribution Program is available on the website of USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist.

Time to finish the farm bill before the September 30th deadline is running out. House and Senate ag leaders are working to quickly iron out differences between the two versions of the bill, but many believed the conference committee needed to wrap up this week to get a bill on-time. The Senate adjourned Wednesday night until Monday, and the House is scheduled to be out for recess all of next week. Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts told Politico talks could continue next week if Mike Conaway and Collin Peterson of the House Agriculture Committee return to Washington. Roberts says: “next week might be the final time that we have to reach some kind of agreement,” but added “the world doesn’t end” if no agreement is made next week. The biggest difference is the House version’s inclusion of work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The work requirements are facing steep opposition from the other three committee leaders, Roberts, and top Senate ag Democrat Debbie Stabenow, along with Peterson of the House. President Trump attacked Stabenow via Twitter, saying her and other Democrats are “Against approving the farm bill.” However, Stabenow and Roberts have said work requirements will not pass the Senate.