U.S. ag exports have gained limited traction from President Trump’s ballyhooed trade victories, but Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is optimistic that demand will improve. “I hope we can show that a third round [of trade war payments] is not needed for 2020,” Perdue said in a statement. “We still believe farmers want trade rather than aid.” (Successful Farming)

A soil health and conservation study conducted by the American Soybean Association with support from the Walton Family Foundation found that U.S. soybean farmers prioritize conservation in their fields, with a desire to keep improving. It found that, on average, U.S. soybean farmers have 14 longstanding conservation practices in place, recently have added new ones and intend to implement more. And that’s despite having to pay for them. (FarmWeekNow)

Right now, all sorts of products aren’t reaching the U.S. because of the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, officially called COVID-19. Reciprocally, many U.S. agricultural and forestry products aren’t shipping back into China and other Pacific Rim countries. Global trade watchers say backed-up trade is building up on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. (NPR)

Dairy supply management is a topic that evokes a lot of emotion. Learn where Farm Bureau stands on the issue. (Hoard’s Dairymen)

The state is preparing to fight an invasive species in northern Illinois again this year. And starting Monday it will hold meetings to explain the Gypsy Moth treatment program. Scott Schirmer from the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the gypsy moth has been around since the late 1800’s, and by feeding on the leaves of trees, it weakens them, making them susceptible to disease, drought, and heat stress. (WVIK)

When grain is out of condition it’s difficult to handle. Farmers think, “I have to go in” to break up the troublesome grain. That’s not true, says Gary Woodruff, GSI, district manager. There are safer alternatives. Going in a grain bin could cost your life. (Successful Farming)