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The U.S. and European Union agreed last week to nearly triple the volume of duty-free beef exports from the U.S. to Europe. The president expects the agreement to increase exports from $150 million to $420 million.

Farmers hit by retaliatory tariffs may receive larger checks from USDA’s second batch of trade aid than in 2018. Direct payments, which will total about $14.5 billion, are expected to be sent out as soon as this month.

By the end of 2019, African swine fever is expected to have eliminated half of China’s pig herd. Analysts estimated the size of the herd at 360 million in late 2018. Recovery may take more than five years.

Top American and Chinese negotiators are set to speak by phone this week in an effort to revive stalled trade talks. Among sore spots: U.S. demands for China to buy more American agricultural and industrial products.

As of Sunday, 98 percent of corn has emerged and 8 percent is silking, compared to the five-year average of 22 percent. In soybeans, 96 percent of the soybean crop is planted and 90 percent has emerged.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently released a trove of stats detailing which congressional districts have the most farms, grow the most soybeans, raise the most cattle, and more. Check out these highlights.