Confident on China despite coronavirus (FERN’s Ag Insider): Although “we don’t know yet” if the coronavirus will impair China’s purchases of U.S. ag exports, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said “they seem very serious” about the so-called phase one agreement and removing barriers to sales.
Coronavirus drives soybean prices (farmdoc Daily): Uncertainty over the impact of the coronavirus “looks to set market expectations” with soybean prices volatile in the near term, says economist Todd Hubbs of the University of Illinois.
Bullock enters Senate race in Montana (Vox): Gov. Steve Bullock, who briefly ran for the Democratic nomination for president, announced his candidacy for the Senate against incumbent Republican Steve Daines, fueling hopes by Democrats of winning control of the Senate this fall.
Investor sues Bayer over Monsanto (Bloomberg): An American investor sued Bayer in state court in New York for damages over its “disastrous” 2018 purchase of Monsanto, which faces thousands of lawsuits over its pesticides.
Vegan diet gains followers (Plant-Based News): Some 9.7 million Americans are following a plant-based diet, according to Ipsos Retail Performance, a retail analytics company.