Solar panels, true to their name, don’t technically work at night. But a California researcher claims he’s found a way to keep them generating power long after the sun sets. A professor in electrical and computer engineering at the University of California-Davis is working on a panel prototype he says could generate electricity in the dark of night. (CNN)

The trade deficit fell slightly in 2019 to mark the first decline in six years, mostly reflecting U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that reduced the flow of imports from the Asian giant. The U.S. deficit slipped 1.7% to $617 billion last year from almost $628 billion in 2018. Last year’s trade gap was the highest in a decade. (MarketWatch)

China’s Finance Ministry announced Thursday that on Feb. 14 it will cut tariff rates on $75 billion worth of U.S. products, including some ag commodities such as soybeans, chicken, pork, oranges and asparagus, but the impact is expected to be minimal. (Agri-Pulse

The time is now to enroll for Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for the 2019 and 2020 program years. Farmers should visit their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the deadline of March 15 to sign-up. “So far, only 33,000 farmers have signed up, and 161,000 normally participate,” said Bill Graff, Illinois FSA state executive director. “We are roughly 20% done and have six weeks left.” (FarmWeekNow)  

Net cash farm income is forecast to fall 9% this year as government payments fall off with the end of the Market Facilitation Program, according to the Agriculture Department. (Agri-Pulse)

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday announced the release of $50 million in matching grants to provide basic internet broadband in all areas of Illinois by 2024. (WEEK)