President Joe Biden’s top trade negotiator spoke for the first time with her Chinese counterpart by phone on Wednesday. It’s a sign that Washington and Beijing may be ready to pick trade talks back up, even as relations between the two remain tense. (CNN)

The fast-food industry has a crushing labor shortage, causing restaurant chains such as Subway and Dunkin’ to cut opening hours and close dining rooms. Chipotle, Taco Bell, and others are offering lucrative perks such as cash bonuses, raises, and education benefits to attract new staff. (Business Insider)

Sarah Kaper, Champaign County Farm Bureau “Ag in the Classroom” Director, collaborated with the Urbana Park District (UPD) and the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD), making Exploration Kits available to elementary students throughout Champaign County. The program concept, piloted by the CCFPD and the UPD in the fall of 2020, was a resounding success with over 900 kits distributed to 4th graders learning remotely in both Champaign and Urbana public schools. (WCIA)

The National Pork Producers Council, an industry trade group, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture calling on the agency to appeal a ruling by a federal judge that it argued would needlessly slow production and hurt farmers still recovering from problems associated with the coronavirus pandemic. (U.S. News & World-Report)

Corn futures dropped on Tuesday as concerns about abundant supply whacked America’s biggest cash crop. It’s the latest trading volatility in the commodities sector as the pandemic and the economic reopening distorted markets and led to big speculation in areas like lumber. (CNBC)  

Ambassador Katherine Tai announced this week that the United States has requested and established a dispute settlement panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to review measures adopted by the Government of Canada that undermine the ability of American dairy exporters to sell a wide range of products to Canadian consumers. (Wisconsin State Farmer)