Some high-end restaurants are selling steaks and other cuts of meat directly to consumers rather than in dining rooms that went dark as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in the U.S. last month. Farms are plowing under hundreds of acres of vegetables in prime U.S. growing regions. (Wall Street Journal)

There has been a surge of people interested in growing their own food. Is this a turn back toward the victory garden era? (NPR)

The State Department said Thursday it would keep processing visas for seasonal workers, after earlier saying it would suspend routine visa services in most countries indefinitely. The reversal came as lawmakers pushed the administration to do whatever possible to keep seasonal workers, most of whom come from Mexico, in the pipeline. Farmers warned the suspension could threaten their livelihoods. (Wall Street Journal)  

The Trump administration has labeled agriculture as a critical industry in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, allowing businesses to continue operating as usual amid current and potential restrictions created to stem the spread of the virus. (Agri-Pulse)

As fuel prices begin to drop nationwide, ethanol and biodiesel plants are making hard decisions as to whether to shut down or idle production. The Renewable Fuels Association and several other organizations are asking Congress and the White House in a letter to provide credit to pay workers, suspend business taxes, and amend the tax code to restore the ability of businesses to carryback any net operating losses against previous year tax payments. (Agri-Pulse)

Demand for U.S. meat at grocery stores will likely exceed supplies for at least another week, the chief executive of Tyson Foods Inc told Reuters on Thursday, as the coronavirus pandemic fuels panic buying among shoppers. (Reuters)