The hog market experienced a brief downturn this month following U.S.-China trade talks, but good opportunity may be ahead. Analysts say the spread of ASF in China will eventually force Chinese to import pork from the U.S. “(The Chinese) have lost more animals (to ASF) than the U.S. grows (annually),” said John Payne, senior futures and options broker with Daniels Trading in Chicago. “They can only ration for so long.” (FarmWeekNow)

Farmers and ranchers have 60 additional days to comment on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to take the gray wolf off the endangered species list. With 5,000-plus gray wolves in the U.S., the species’ population numbers surpass recovery targets set by the Endangered Species Act. AFBF President Zippy Duvall called the proposal “a triumph of common sense we all should herald as a conservation success story.” (Farm Bureau)

Issues of public safety, social justice and additional revenue for the state concerning recreational marijuana legalization faced a stiff line of questioning at a Wednesday legislative hearing. Measures in the current bill were discussed among state lawmakers. (Peoria Journal Star)

The Trump administration’s second package of aid for U.S. farmers hit by the trade war with China is expected to total $15 billion to $20 billion and involve direct payments, USDA Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said this week. The plan will likely prioritize hog and soybean farmers. “Currently we are working out the details of the source of the funds,” Perdue said. (Reuters)