Farmers across Iowa and Illinois have been taking advantage of “ideal conditions” to harvest their crop in recent days. (Dispatch-Argus)  

– U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Oct. 8 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has invested $22 million out of up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. (The Fence Post)

The benchmark price index for food commodities rose in September, led by vegetable oils and cereals, according to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (Business Standard)

Grain storage is a particularly dangerous area on family farms and in other agricultural settings. Those tall, usually metal or concrete silos that dot the landscape across our state cost several farmers and other workers their lives every year, according to the Illinois Department of Labor. (WIFR)

Without big gatherings, will Americans buy whole birds? Smaller ones? Just parts? Farmers and retailers are already placing their bets. (New York Times)

Six current and former chicken-industry executives were indicted on price-fixing charges, expanding the U.S. government’s antitrust prosecutions in the $65 billion poultry industry. (Wall Street Journal)