Illinois' links to China were strong long before Governor Pat Quinn headed east for an eight day trade mission.

But thanks in part to the deal inked Monday, that will allow Archer Daniels Midland to sell 6-point-6 million bushels of soybeans to a Chinese food company, the link between China and Illinois will get stronger.

Good news to Morton-area farmer Dan Farney.

[audio:092011DanFarney1.mp3]A Word From Farney[/audio]

Farney's beans are just some of the lot going to China. Mike Doherty with the Illinois Farm Bureau says China is snapping up all it can find.

[audio:092011Doherty1.mp3]A Word From Dohery[/audio]

Doherty and Farney both say they expect to see China's demand only grow, which they both say should raise the prices Illinois farmers can demand in return.