The latest USDA crop progress report shows both corn and soybean planting progress remains ahead of last year's numbers. Almost all other reported crops are on track with or ahead of last year's numbers as well.

Economists at the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University have issued a new policy brief that measures the revenue impacts the COVID-19 outbreak is having on some of Iowa's largest agricultural industries. Estimates show overall annual damage of roughly $788 million for corn, $213 million for soybean, over $2.5 billion for ethanol, $658 million for fed cattle, $34 million for calves and feeder cattle, and $2.1 billion for hogs.

New PhotoSeed trait technology increases the photosynthetic capacity and efficiency of plants, allowing crops to harvest more sunlight and capture more carbon dioxide for higher seed and grain yields, according to representatives at ZeaKal.

The second USDA crop progress report, released April 13, shows that corn planting progress is on track with 2019 progress at 3% planted.

Green Cover Seed, headquartered in Bladen, Neb., has announced the opening of a second location to better serve customers and to better reach people with the message of hope and change that regenerating soils can deliver.

A naturally-occurring, food-grade microbe, Envita provides corn and other crops with the ability to fix their own nitrogen from the air and has proven success with farmers throughout the US corn belt, reducing the need for applied N fertilizer on average 27% without impacting yield.

Bayer AG agreed to pay $39.5 million to settle allegations that its Monsanto unit ran misleading ads about the controversial Roundup weedkiller and its potential health risks to humans and animals. In addition, the label will be altered to remove language that says glyphosate only affects an enzyme found in plants.

Using a cloud-based service to help monitor fields and get relevant up-to-date information may help farmers keep priorities in order while minimizing the need to contact off-farm people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CNHI has announced the withdraw of its financial outlook for 2020 presented on Feb. 7, 2020. In addition, the company is suspending the majority of its manufacturing operations in North and South America for a two-week period, starting March 30.