Need a quick catch up on the news? Here are seven agricultural stories you might have missed this week.

1. USDA on Thursday surprised the corn market by reporting farmers planted the third most corn acres since 1944. – Farm Futures

2. South Dakota State University is the first university in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree in precision agriculture. – Rapid City Journal

3. Drs. Maria Andrade, Robert Mwanga, Jan Low and Howarth Bouis were named the 2016 World Food Prize Laureates during a ceremony at the U.S. State Department. – Farm Futures

Fossil evidence of ag, young ag borrowers and more on Monsanto's proposed merger.

4. Dan Albert’s farm, Farmbox Greens, is inside a two-car garage. There, Albert grows hydroponic microgreens in 600 square feet. - The New York Times

5. A National Biodiesel Board study found the biodiesel industry supports nearly 48,000 jobs nationwide. – Farm Futures

6. Scientists from Ohio State University and James Cook University announced the finding of the oldest fossil evidence of agriculture. From 25 million years ago. – Atlas Obscura

7. Younger farmers are a growing portion of Farm Credit borrowers. – Farm Futures

And your bonus:

Three crops – rice, corn and wheat – provide 60% of the average person’s daily calories. A heavy dependence on a few crops leaves people vulnerable to nutrient deficiency. - Smithsonian.com

And another bonus, because it’s a holiday weekend:

The Monsanto merger tale continues, with the company reporting lower than expected earnings this week. – Farm Futures