Biosecurity Nov 2025

The following are some events which occurred in November which you may want to be aware of.

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US Soybeans

There were numerous reports of Soybean farmers problems in November. There were several issues. First, there was a bumper crop of soybeans this year, which means that there were plenty of beans for domestic use which brought down the price. But much more relevant was the impact of the US-China trade wars, with the Trump administration slapping various types of tariffs on China resulting in China reciprocating by not buying our soybeans.

China is the world’s biggest importer of soybeans with an average annual import from the US of 29 million metric tons over the past 10 years. Instead of buying the US crop, this year China purchased its soybeans principally from Argentina and from Brazil. Over the past several years China has spent tens of billions of dollars building up the agriculture supply chain and infrastructure of South America, especially in Brazil. Last year Brazil provided 70% of China’s soy imports.

There are other members of the soybean farming industries being impacted by the tariff war. In addition to the farmers’ loss of profits, an entire logistics chain has been constructed around soybeans and to support shipment of soybeans to China. This includes crushing and processing plants, rail lines, and upgrades to West Coasts ports.

There are attempts to mitigate the problems of US soybean farmers. President Trump has pledged a multibillion-dollar bailout to keep farms afloat. In trade negotiations this month there was an agreement between the US and China in which Trump said he would cut Chinese tariffs if China curtailed the export of fentanyl ingredients and imported soybeans. China pledged to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans this harvest period and 25 metric tons a year for the next 3 years.

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Beef Industry

Beef prices rose 17% this past quarter, while beef sale volumes fell 8%. The US has its lowest cattle supply since the 1950s. Slaughterhouse operators have accrued hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Several reasons are proposed for this decline.

Ranchers have stated that the rising prices of beef are the result of a shortage in cattle. Herds were thinned following financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and were also thinned because of severe drought conditions and the rising cost of ranching. In addition, there are restrictions on Mexican cattle imports due to a flesh-eating parasite spreading through Mexico’s livestock. Further, tariffs on Brazilian beef imports have helped keep US prices elevated.

Others in the ranching business have held that prices are being artificially raised. In response to these allegations, the US Justice Department is launching an investigation into meatpacking companies and whether they are engaging in collusion to drive up prices.

In late November, Tysons Foods, America’s largest meat supplier, stated it is planning to close one of its largest beef-processing plants in Nebraska. This Lexington, Nebraska plant employs about 3000 people and can slaughter almost 5000 cattle a day. Tysons Foods is also moving its Amarillo, Texas plant from two shifts a day to one shift.

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Infant Formula Botulism

Infant formula maker, By-Heart, has recalled all of its products in the US after the FDA opened an investigation into a multistate botulism outbreak. Fifteen infants, all having consumed this formula, have had suspected or confirmed cases of botulism reported in 12 states. All infants were hospitalized with no reported deaths. No botulism spores have yet to be found in By-Heart formula cans.

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Food Assistance Program

In November the prolonged government shutdown caused the federal government to use emergency funds to pay partial benefits under the federal food assistance program. The funds were used to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) going during the shutdown. The SNAP funding will pay about 50% of the monthly payments for eligible households.

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University to Spend $30 Million for Farmer Programs

Cornell University will pay $60 million to the federal government for its violation of federal civil rights laws. $30 million of this money is to be spent on (unidentified) programs that will benefit U.S. farmers. This is part of a deal with the Trump administration in which the federal government will restore research funding to the University and in return the University will comply with federal civil rights laws.