The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose for only the second time since May, up 9 points to a reading of 125 in December. (The Pig Site)

Shortages at grocery stores across the country have grown more acute in recent weeks as omicron continues to spread and winter storms have piled on to the supply chain struggles and labor shortages. (USA Today)

India has agreed to allow imports of US pork and pork products into India, removing a longstanding barrier to US agricultural trade, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Monday. (CNN)

Chipotle just announced its vegan chorizo would expand to menus across the US. The chain developed its own plant-based meat, instead of working with an outside company. (Business Insider)

USDA announced late last week that it will give schools roughly 25 cents more per school lunch this year. That might sound small, but it’s a big deal for school food operators struggling with increased costs, from food to labor and packaging, as well as upended supply chains. (Politico)

The United Soybean Board reports soybean farmers in the United States exported a record quantity of soybeans during the 2020/2021 marketing year. U.S. Soy shipped 74.76 million metric tons of product, valued at more than $34 billion. (Hoosier Ag Today)