**Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the USDA has invested over $2.8-million in high-speed broadband infrastructure to create or improve e-Connectivity for 347 rural households in Tennessee.

This is the first of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.

In March of last year, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America.

**African swine fever has killed off about 20% of Vietnam's hog herd, and it is not clear whether the outbreak has been contained.

That’s according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Ted McKinney, who says there were some reports the number might be higher.

Vietnam government officials tell agriculture.com, the spread of the disease has shown signs of slowing and they are urging farmers to restore pig herds battered by the outbreak.

 

**Less than two weeks ago biofuels organizations and stakeholders were praising the Trump Administration agreement to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard, but now that the details are out, not so much.

A notice released by the EPA last week says it “does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021, but instead, proposes and seeks comment on adjustments to the way that annual renewable fuel percentages are calculated.”

According to agwired.com, EPA intends to grant partial exemptions in appropriate circumstances when adjudicating 2020 exemption petitions.

More From 107.3 KFFM