Restaurateurs hunting for cut-rate space in the pandemic are teaming up with eager partners in another beleaguered industry. (New York Times)  

Corn prices slipped from multi-year highs on Thursday as traders booked profits, while a sharp fall in global equities and a rise in dollar also weighed on sentiment. (Reuters)

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has issued its current Illinois Crop Progress and Production Reports for the month of January. (Journal Gazette & Times-Courier)

A turf war is likely to persist between USDA and FDA over which agency is better suited to regulate genetically engineered animals. (Food & Beverage Insider)

The global shipping industry is hoping that President Biden’s “America is back” declaration means the U.S. is returning to free-trade principles, and away from Trump administration protectionist policies that often dragged ocean vessels into efforts to enforce sanctions. (Wall Street Journal)

John Kabat is among an increasingly small number of independent producers not contracted with a larger hog company. He keeps all aspects of his operation local. (The Southern Illinoisan)