Need a quick catch up on the news? Here are seven agricultural stories you might have missed this week. 

1. Syngenta is going to pay more than $1.4 billion to U.S. farmers to settle the lawsuits that were filed after Syngenta sold corn with the Viptera trait before it was approved for sale into the Chinese market. Syngenta also reached a settlement with a group of about 22,000 Minnesota farmers. – Farm Futures 

2. University of Arizona researchers have genetically modified corn so that the plant itself suppresses aflatoxin below detectable levels, even when it is infected with the Aspergillus fungus that normally produces aflatoxins. They reported the results of their study in the journal Science Advances earlier this year. – Dakota Farmer 

3. The Arkansas State Plant Board let its Pesticide Committee recommendation stand at its Sept. 21 meeting. The recommendation is for a proposed spraying cutoff date of April for the 2018 growing season. The Plant Board next meets in early November. – Delta Farm Press 

4. November soybean futures rose 15.75 cents by midday after USDA released its Grain Stocks estimates at 11 a.m. USDA put its soybean stocks at 301 million, less than the trade had expected, fueling the increase. – Farm Futures

5. USDA has closed its investigation into Aurora Organic Dairy, saying they couldn’t find violations of organic standards. The Cornucopia Institute, however, is criticizing USDA for lax enforcement of organic standards. – The Washington Post

6. The third round of NAFTA renegotiation talks began Sept. 23 in Ottawa. Canada’s chief negotiator downplayed expectations of any major breakthroughs. – Farm Futures

7. Deteriorating grazing conditions have driven up the cost of hay in Canada’s southern prairies and hampered efforts to rebuild the nation’s beef herd. There’s little relief for drought-ravaged Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba in sight. – Farm Futures 

Because it’s been a busy news week, we have three bonuses for you.

1. American Farm Bureau’s Fall Marketbasket Survey showed the cost of 16 items was $51.13, up 3% from a year ago. The farmer’s share of the items would be $8. The survey was conducted by 81 volunteer shoppers in 25 states in the month of September. – Farm Futures

2. Agco Corp. is investing $2 million in its Edgewood, Md., Massey Ferguson assembly and distribution plant to boost production of compact and utility tractors and equipment by 50% and speed delivery to dealers. – American Agriculturist

3. USDA expects 2017 milk production to reach a record 216 billion pounds, up 300 million pounds from the August forecast and 3.6 billion pounds higher than 2016’s record output. Milk production for 2017 is expected to be 1.7% higher than last year. – Wisconsin Agriculturist