The Department of Justice filed court documents Friday in defense of USDA’s plan to forgive debt for socially disadvantaged farmers. The filing is in response to a Judge’s recent ruling to halt the payments.

Along with that issue, Ken Ferrie addresses corn rootworm and other pests and diseases that he’s observing and addressing in the field now.

USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report released Monday shows the corn crop condition ratings fell nationwide, down to 65% good to excellent. That compares to the 68% rated posted last week.

Wild weather over the weekend left some farmers are assessing the damage. Powerful winds and heavy rain hit some fields hard, with down corn as a result. after weekend rains and winds hit some fields hard.

Law enforcement officials in Tulare County California arrested this man for allegedly stealing and reselling more than 42,000 pounds of pistachios. The goods had been repackaged into 2,000 pound sacks for resale.

ICE cotton futures rose to their highest in nearly a week on Tuesday, propelled by fears of damage to the natural fiber crop in the delta region due to heavy rains.