Even though fruits are important for summer retail merchandising, sweet corn plays a vital role in supermarket produce sales. Since the coronavirus pandemic, sales of packaged products, including this delicious summer treat, have increased. (Produce Business)

Herbicides are losing the war — and agriculture might never be the same again. Superweeds are rapidly overtaking American commodity farms, and Palmer amaranth is their king. (New York Times)  

While visiting Vermont dairy farms Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program, USDA will provide about $350 million in pandemic assistance payments to dairy farmers who received a lower value for their products due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic. The assistance is part of a larger $2 billion package including permanent improvements to the Dairy Margin Coverage safety net program. (Feedstuffs)

The EPA has officially kicked off the rulemaking process to create new regulations for Waters of the U.S. Nearly 170 people were online to listen or share their thoughts on how the EPA should regulate WOTUS. Several state farm groups were represented, including Illinois. (RFD TV)

Russia’s agriculture ministry has paused its daily publication of grain harvesting data while it refines the reporting format used by the country’s growing regions, the ministry said on Wednesday. (Nasdaq)

Illinois is expanding educational opportunities for students interested in agriculture. Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law during Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair Tuesday. (WEEK 25)