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Cattle prices won’t rise as much as previously expected in 2026, as the closure of a Tyson Foods plant is seen loosening competition for scarce U.S. supplies.

“This is kind of a Band-Aid — we need more markets more than we need aid,” said Missouri farmer Marty Richardson, adding that he feels like 2026 will be just as bad as this year.

President Trump pressured farm equipment manufacturers to drop prices for tractors, his latest efforts to address Americans’ concerns about shaky economic conditions.

The aid comes amid rising frustration among farmers on the slow pace of Chinese purchases, which Beijing clamped down on earlier this year in retaliation for Trump’s tariff barrage. 

The Trump administration intends to release its long-awaited plan to offer relief for beleaguered farmers early next month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Nov. 19.

Soybean futures jumped on signals that China is stepping up buying of the oilseed, offering hope for U.S. farmers after purchases appeared to have stalled.

It’s unclear if the next few months will mark a turning point for the struggling farm machinery sector, with minimal details on the U.S.-China trade deal for manufacturers.

Wheat futures in Chicago jumped as China seeks its first U.S. shipments of the grain in more than a year, following orders for soybeans last week as part of a trade truce between the two nations.

Cargill is turning to artificial intelligence to ensure it gets more beef from its processing plants as the U.S. cattle herd dwindles to the lowest level in seven decades.

Farming communities have seen export markets for many crops dissipate and federal safety net programs shrink during the president’s second term.