AMES, Iowa – At the start of 2020, the agricultural economy appeared poised for a good year, which came as good news, considering the drought two years ago and the floods last year. Then came COVID-19, and like almost every other economic sector, the agricultural economy tanked. Chad Hart, an economist at Iowa State University, said solid footing is still the foundation for an outlook that is not all doom and gloom. Hart said the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, which the U.S Department of Agriculture released, suggests the growing season and harvest may be tough, but not devastating. Higher yields could offset lower prices. Hart said COVID-19 recovery should bring about some of the relief from trade tensions that economists anticipated. “They’re looking for that strength to still be there, to return, as we reopen the economy, as we get the global economy moving along,” he said. Lower prices for corn and soybeans may draw some new or less common uses for the crop…