The World Trade Organization warned that a spike in trade restrictions by major nations is threatening to hold back the global economy. Trade coverage on imports among Group of 20 countries — including tariffs, import bans and new customs procedures — topped $336 billion between October and May, the organization said in a report Monday. That’s the second-highest reading, after the prior period’s record $481 billion. The figure doesn’t include the actions under consideration or threatened by governments. (Bloomberg)  

Cold, rainy weather has meant severe planting delays for farmers from Ohio to Nebraska. Planting is so tardy that the USDA June 28 acreage report, an annual survey of what crops farmers planted this year, will take on heightened importance. “This planting-delay issue, because of what states it has affected, will make the planted acreage report … historically important for market direction,” said Mike Zuzolo, president, Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting. The late start to the season adds insult to injury for farmers, who have wrestled with several years of low prices because of bumper harvests and slowing demand because

State Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign, has been researching programs that could help assist farmers with managing their mental health. “I keep talking to local farmers,” he said. “The prices, tariffs and then the rain. As family farmers dwindle, what can we do to help the guys who are squeezed? We’re trying to find a way.” Help may surface in a new effort at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Center for Rural Health. Bennett, who has farm roots, secured $100,000 in the new state budget to provide mental health services and support to farmers. Currently, Bennett’s idea is still in its infancy.

– After near-record flooding across much of the state wrought havoc on Illinois farmers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday a range of measures to help them, and hopes an emergency declaration will soon pave the way for federal assistance. Pritzker recently met with USDA FSA Director William Graff to ensure the plight of Illinois farmers is high on the agenda when the FSA’s State Emergency Board next meets on June 27. At the meeting, the board can recommend that Pritzker declare an agricultural disaster, which would then allow him to request federal assistance for farmers. (WTTW)  

Farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres will be permitted to hay, graze or chop those fields earlier than November this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Thursday. USDA’s Risk Management Agency adjusted the 2019 final haying and grazing date from Nov. 1 to Sept. 1 to help farmers who were prevented from planting because of flooding and excess rainfall this spring. “We recognize farmers were greatly impacted by some of the unprecedented flooding and excessive rain this spring, and we made this one-year adjustment to help farmers with the tough decisions they are facing this

Dave Bishop’s prairie offers pollinators and wildlife an everchanging feast during the growing season. This year’s cool, wet weather also brought changes, according to Bishop. “Every year, you see different combinations of plants. This year all the bromegrass, which isn’t native, came.” The Logan County Farm Bureau member’s prairie has fed and sheltered pollinators and wildlife while protecting and restoring the soil for 25 years. The family carefully selected native prairie species to gain “a bona fide native ecosystem,” he said. “Every year, the composition of plants is a little different.” (FarmWeekNow)