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

1. USDA held its annual Ag Outlook Forum Feb. 23-24 in Arlington, Virginia. Among the items making news at the event: USDA sees more soybeans and less corn in 2017; USDA forecast smaller corn, soybean and wheat harvests in 2017, and USDA chief economist Robert Johansson said the 2016 farm economy performed better than he expected. – Farm Futures

2. A University of Vermont researcher is studying components needed to build a prosperous farm economy. Shoshanah Inwood was surprised to find health care costs are a top concern for farmers. – MPR 

3. A preliminary Farm Futures analysis finds that fewer growers could be in line for corn and soybean ARC payments this fall. – Farm Futures

4. Research published in Bioscience suggests that food production will need to increase between 25 and 70 percent to meet food demand in 2050. – Science Daily

5. Seaboard Triumph Foods will add a second shift at its processing plant under construction in Sioux City, Iowa. The addition of a second shift will allow for processing of up to 6 million hogs annually. The plant is expected to come online this year. – Farm Futures

6. California teen Samuel Sugarman received the National 4-H Youth in Action Award for Agriculture. Next month, he'll receive a $5,000 scholarship. Each year, 4-H chooses four teens who embody the pillars of 4-H. – The San Diego Union-Tribune 

7. Wages for U.S. fieldworkers rose 36% over the past decade and President Donald Trump's immigration policy may fuel further increases. It may also put some growers out of business because of a lack of employees. – Farm Futures

And your bonus: Distillers are following the local foods trend by turning to local growers to create smooth and satisfying spirits. – USA Today