Soybeans and corn futures were higher in overnight trading, experts say Brazil soybean output is likely to jump, and high winds are forecasted for southern Plains. (Successful Farming)

It’s time to start the weekly USDA Illinois crop report. Before planting begins, the March 1 planting intentions report shows corn acres in Illinois are 10.9 million, according to Mark Schleusener, state statistician for the USDA in Illinois. (WJBC)

Taco Bell wants to hire at least 5,000 employees in one day, it said on Tuesday, and is adding benefits for some general managers to sweeten the pot as restaurants struggle to hire enough workers to keep up with a surge in sales amid a broader U.S. economic recovery. (Reuters)

A farm field in Grayslake was the focus Monday of a Lake County pilot program to raise the profile of composting and divert food waste from landfills. (Daily Herald)

A new initiative at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign aims to improve agricultural outcomes by connecting the research community with farmers in the surrounding area. (Herald-Whig)  

The State of Illinois is further expanding vaccine accessibility in rural communities. In the latest effort, the State will be sending rural vaccination teams to six counties this week, with the capacity to vaccinate more than 8,000 people with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (WAND)