As agriculture continues to grapple with the fallout from the COVID-19 economic shutdown, recent reports suggest the industry will see financial pressure for the remainder of 2020. (DTN)

 Private exporters sold 192,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans to China, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday, the first confirmed sales of U.S. oilseeds to the world’s top soy consumer since July 27. (Reuters)

Looking for updated customer guidelines and signage recommendations for operating an agritourism business during the pandemic? Check out the resource guides put together by Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers Association and University of Illinois Extension on our Local Foods and Specialty Crops page.

More than 800 craft distillers across the United States leapt into action to help in the first wave of the pandemic, urged on by federal agencies. But many are now hesitant to invest more time and money into those efforts. With demand for sanitizer fluctuating, distillers have faced unforeseen costs and excess supplies that they may not get rid of. (New York Times

COVID-19 has upended many facets of American life. We’ve seen stadiums, movie theatres, theme parks, schools and libraries empty practically overnight. We’ve learned the value of human closeness by having to forgo it. Yet one of the most acute and significant disruptions to our routine has been food. (Fox Business)  

 USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue says the European Union’s recently-published EU “Green Deal” strategies could “undermine trade and affect the viability of EU farmers.” (KRVN)