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Congressional leaders have reached agreement on a $2 trillion economic rescue package that would replenish the Agriculture Department’s Commodity Credit Corp. authority and earmark additional money for livestock and specialty crop producers as well as local agriculture.

Producers’ support for President Donald Trump has grown despite sluggish exports and their own worries about their financial condition as the economic slowdown triggered by the COVID-19 has developed, according to the latest Agri-Pulse poll of U.S. farmers and ranchers.

When the coronavirus first swept through China, many ports effectively ceased to function as workers stayed home. Now, fears are rising about similar disruptions in the U.S. as the illness spreads.

The USDA on Tuesday confirmed that China is continuing to follow through on several key provisions in the “phase one” trade deal with the U.S.

A massive economic stimulus bill that congressional leaders are rushing to finish could allow the Agriculture Department to provide multiple forms of aid to different sectors hit by the coronavirus epidemic as well as a fresh round of Market Facilitation Program payments, a key senator says.

Lawmakers may clear the way for another round of Market Facilitation Program payments as well as other aid to producers as part of a massive economic stimulus package that the Senate is expected to consider on Monday.

The Agriculture Department published a list of hundreds of beef and pork production and storage facilities that are now eligible to export to China under the new, less-restrictive regulations negotiated in the “phase one” trade agreement.

The USDA announced Thursday that U.S. exporters are reporting large sales of U.S. corn and wheat to China after years of depressed trade. A new report shows export sales of 750,000 metric tons of U.S. corn and 340,000 metric tons of hard red winter wheat to China.

The USA Poultry and Egg Export Council is confirming that China and the U.S. have signed off on an agreement that the Chinese government will not over-react to outbreaks of avian influenza in the U.S.

China, continuing to live up to promises made in the “phase one” trade deal, is working with the U.S. to finalize certification for hundreds of U.S. beef processing plants as well as approve a wide variety of beef cuts and beef products in preparation for a resumption in trade.