Senators question meat exports (New York Times): Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker asked the four major meatpackers how they could export large amounts of meat to China during April even as they were warning of a shortage of beef and pork at home.
Food is not a coronavirus risk, say agencies (USDA): In a joint statement apparently aimed at China and addressing “food export restrictions” around the world, the USDA and the FDA said, “There is no evidence that people can contract Covid-19 from food or from food packaging.”
Rural Southeast is Covid-19 hot spot (Daily Yonder): A small number of counties accounted for more than 60 percent of the 18,400 rural cases of Covid-19 reported last week, and 77 of those 138 rural counties are in the Southeast.
Grain standards bill advances (Senate Agriculture): On a voice vote, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the U.S. Grain Standards Act, clearing it for a floor vote.
Shorter feeding season for mule deer (InsideClimate News): Global warming can cut the spring feeding season for mule deer in half, to two months, says a University of Wyoming researcher. Spring feeding is crucial to the deer as they prepare to migrate and raise their offspring.