Today’s quick hits, Dec. 9, 2020

Coronavirus payments top $22 billion: With a deadline of Friday for applications, the USDA said it has paid a combined $22.1 billion through two versions of its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program since May, with $2 billion going to Iowa, followed by $1.56 billion to California and $1.5 billion to Nebraska. (FERN’s Ag Insider)

Electric tractor goes on sale: Startup Monarch Tractor unveiled a compact, battery-powered 40-horsepower agricultural tractor that the manufacturer says can run for 12 hours before needing a charge. (Farm Progress)

No more food boxes to give away: The Trump administration’s $4.5 billion food-box giveaway program was expected to run through the end of the year but it is ending a month early in some parts of the country because of high demand. (Washington Post)

Weedkiller dicamba detected in rainwater: University of Missouri weed specialist Mandy Bish says the weedkiller dicamba was detected in Missouri rainwater throughout the growing season in 2019. In the sites located in the southern corner of the state, rain concentrations were high enough to injure sensitive crops. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)