Favorable Conditions Spark Early Weed Growth in SD
The latest issue of SDSU Extension’s Pest and Crop newsletter highlights which weeds are showing up in fields and provides some tips for identifying and managing them. According to SDSU Extension Weed Management Specialist Eric Jones, seasonal conditions are favorable…
Zeidler: Mentorship Key to FFA’s Mission
Part of FFA’s mission is helping to develop the next generation of ag professionals. Minnesota FFA Alumni and Supporters Council President Amanda Zeidler talks about the importance of that mission. “We’re growing leaders, and we’re trying to really instill the…
Brazil Celebrates Bumper Corn and Soybean Harvest
Brazil is seeing bumper corn and soybean crops this year as harvest is nearing the finish line. Brazil Intel Owner and Ag Consultant Kory Melby points to early-season rains as the catalyst. “There are a few fields left, but in…
National Pork Board Rolls Out Modernized PQA Plus
The National Pork Board is upgrading its Learning Management System this summer and launching Pork Quality Assurance Plus. “The content mainly remains the same for our producers and focuses on our We Care ethical principles, but Version #6 is focused…
Fighting Fire with SoyFoam
Georgia-based Cross Plains Solutions has been making SoyFoam for firefighting for three years. Managing Partner Alan Snipes says what started as a training tool for fire departments has turned into an environmentally friendly and safer option for fighting fires. “During…
Still Early for Corn
At Kulm, North Dakota, Josh Gackle started seeding barley this past week. “Soil conditions, at least for wheat and barley, I think are really good. Moisture is good for planting, but you can tell that it’s dry. ” It’s still…
Slow Start
University of Minnesota Extension Crops Educator Angie Peltier doesn’t expect planting to begin in the Crookston area for another week. “It’s relatively slow to start here. I’ve seen some anhydrous tanks strategically parked in some fields, but the majority of…
Favorable Conditions Spark Early Weed Growth in SD
The latest issue of SDSU Extension’s Pest and Crop newsletter highlights which weeds are showing up in fields and provides some tips for identifying and managing them. According to SDSU Extension Weed Management Specialist Eric Jones, seasonal conditions are favorable…
Metzger Promoted
Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative has named Mike Metzger its executive vice president. Metzger will continue to lead the agriculture and research departments. Metzger has been with Minn-Dak for nearly 25 years.
Trade Deal is ‘Done’
In an appearance on CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik said a deal has been reached with one trading partner, but no other details were available. “I have a deal; done, done, done,” said Lutkik. “But I need to wait for their…
NDGGA Names New Executive Director
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association has named Nick Sinner as its new executive director. Most recently, Sinner served as a program manager for Northern Crops Institute. He previously was president and chief executive officer of the Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment…
Tariff Strategy Forces a Pivot for Smithfield Foods
Due to the trade war, the world’s #1 pork buyer is no longer a destination for U.S. pork. With tariffs of 145 percent, Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith said China is not a viable market. Smith said that has forced…
Addington to Lead MN FFA in the Year Ahead
Minnesota’s new state FFA president is taking on a familiar role. Cameron Addington’s mother, Leah (Schliep) Addington, served as president 27 years ago. Addington is from the Cannon Falls FFA Chapter. The officer team includes Vice President Paisley Von Berge…
Syngenta Group Releases 1Q Financials
The Syngenta Group finished the first quarter with sales of $7.3 billion, down one percent from a year ago. Crop protection sales improved five percent while seed sales declined by two percent. Seed sales rose 18 percent in China, which…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in Markets
In today’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says cattle remain a bright spot in the markets. “Rain makes grain” and tnat’s pressuring the wheat market. Click here.
Well Grounded
In the latest Well Grounded podcast, Acres and Shares President Jayson Menke and RRFN Farm Broadcaster Randy Konen visit with NDSU Extension Ag Finance Specialist Bryon Parman about the recent North Dakota Land Values Survey. Gain insight by listening to…
1Q Rail Activity Up for PNW Routes
Demand for grain transportation in the first quarter of the year remained strong. While rail grain carloads were slightly below average nationally, record corn exports were seen from the Pacific Northwest export terminals. By state, the grain cars loaded and…
Standing Up for Seed Oils
Robert F. Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again agenda is gaining momentum. During the ag leaders’ roundtable at North Dakota State University, the region’s unique role in the production of oilseeds was discussed. “There’s a lot of misinformation out on the internet…
Bilateral Trade Opportunity with India
During his trip to India, Vice President J.D. Vance announced progress on a bilateral trade deal. Few details were provided, but the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the United States wants more market access, lower tariffs and the…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In this edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says gold continues to set new contract highs. “That is a little concerning because it also shows that there are questions about…
Uncertain Times
University of Minnesota Extension Economist Ed Usset says current trade tensions with China feel broader and more uncertain than anything in recent memory, even compared to the 2018 trade war. How should a farmer respond to this time of uncertainty?…
Favorable Conditions Spark Early Weed Growth in SD
The latest issue of SDSU Extension’s Pest and Crop newsletter highlights which weeds are showing up in fields and provides some tips for identifying and managing them. According to SDSU Extension Weed Management Specialist Eric Jones, seasonal conditions are favorable…
Metzger Promoted
Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative has named Mike Metzger its executive vice president. Metzger will continue to lead the agriculture and research departments. Metzger has been with Minn-Dak for nearly 25 years.
NDGGA Names New Executive Director
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association has named Nick Sinner as its new executive director. Most recently, Sinner served as a program manager for Northern Crops Institute. He previously was president and chief executive officer of the Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment…
Tariff Strategy Forces a Pivot for Smithfield Foods
Due to the trade war, the world’s #1 pork buyer is no longer a destination for U.S. pork. With tariffs of 145 percent, Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith said China is not a viable market. Smith said that has forced…
Addington to Lead MN FFA in the Year Ahead
Minnesota’s new state FFA president is taking on a familiar role. Cameron Addington’s mother, Leah (Schliep) Addington, served as president 27 years ago. Addington is from the Cannon Falls FFA Chapter. The officer team includes Vice President Paisley Von Berge…
Syngenta Group Releases 1Q Financials
The Syngenta Group finished the first quarter with sales of $7.3 billion, down one percent from a year ago. Crop protection sales improved five percent while seed sales declined by two percent. Seed sales rose 18 percent in China, which…
Farming for the Future
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Red River Farm Network and the Linder Farm Network to provide information on soil health events and topics. This week, Fabian Fernández, nutrient management specialist, University of Minnesota, discusses nitrogen management…
Favorable Conditions Spark Early Weed Growth in SD
The latest issue of SDSU Extension’s Pest and Crop newsletter highlights which weeds are showing up in fields and provides some tips for identifying and managing them. According to SDSU Extension Weed Management Specialist Eric Jones, seasonal conditions are favorable…
Brazil Celebrates Bumper Corn and Soybean Harvest
Brazil is seeing bumper corn and soybean crops this year as harvest is nearing the finish line. Brazil Intel Owner and Ag Consultant Kory Melby points to early-season rains as the catalyst. “There are a few fields left, but in…
ITC Rules on 2;4-D Imports
The International Trade Commission vote in favor of imposing final anti-dumping and countervailing duties on 2:4-D imports from China and India. This past month, American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association leaders testified before the ITC, saying farmers depend…
Fighting Fire with SoyFoam
Georgia-based Cross Plains Solutions has been making SoyFoam for firefighting for three years. Managing Partner Alan Snipes says what started as a training tool for fire departments has turned into an environmentally friendly and safer option for fighting fires. “During…
Still Early for Corn
At Kulm, North Dakota, Josh Gackle started seeding barley this past week. “Soil conditions, at least for wheat and barley, I think are really good. Moisture is good for planting, but you can tell that it’s dry. ” It’s still…
Slow Start
University of Minnesota Extension Crops Educator Angie Peltier doesn’t expect planting to begin in the Crookston area for another week. “It’s relatively slow to start here. I’ve seen some anhydrous tanks strategically parked in some fields, but the majority of…
Governor Armstrong Signs Bill Supporting Farmers’ Chemical Access
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong signed HB 1318, a bill that would secure the continued access to essential crop protection tools for farmers across North Dakota. “This bill simply says the law is the law, that labeling, that process is…
Tariff Strategy Forces a Pivot for Smithfield Foods
Due to the trade war, the world’s #1 pork buyer is no longer a destination for U.S. pork. With tariffs of 145 percent, Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith said China is not a viable market. Smith said that has forced…
MN Beef Update
In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt recaps the FACS to the MAX event in Mankato. Local education grants are also available. Here’s the report.
National Pork Board Rolls Out Modernized PQA Plus
The National Pork Board is upgrading its Learning Management System this summer and launching Pork Quality Assurance Plus. “The content mainly remains the same for our producers and focuses on our We Care ethical principles, but Version #6 is focused…
Remembering the Man Behind the Message
A respected voice in agricultural communications and an advocate for the pork industry has passed away. Charles ‘Charlie’ Harness, 90, died April 25 at a hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. In the mid-1960s, Harness served as the media relations manager…
HPAI Case Confirmed in ND
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a backyard chicken flock in North Dakota’s Stutsman County. The flock has been destroyed and the site is under quarantine. This is the first case of avian influenza in North Dakota this…
Ninth Circuit Rejects CAFO Lawsuit
A federal appeals court has rejected an attempt by Food and Water Watch, the Center for Biological Diversity and other activist groups to tighten the regulations for large animal feeding operations. These groups claimed the EPA acted in an arbitrary…
Bill Backs Animal Agriculture
North Dakota Senate Bill 2177 delivers a boost for animal agriculture. “The bill will redirect a small amount of state sales and use taxes that would be collected from animal agriculture development and use taxes on those materials for developing…
Trade Deal is ‘Done’
In an appearance on CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik said a deal has been reached with one trading partner, but no other details were available. “I have a deal; done, done, done,” said Lutkik. “But I need to wait for their…
Corn Matters
In Minnesota Corn Matters, Minnesota Corn Board member Richard Syverson highlights the latest development with the year-round availability of E-15. Listen here.
A New Role for Bemis
Minnesota native Kaytlin Bemis has been named a policy advisor for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Most recently, Bemis managed public policy and regulatory affairs for the National Corn Growers Association. Before that, Bemis was a public policy specialist for…
Charges Dropped
USDA has dropped criminal charges against a South Dakota ranching family. Charles and Heather Maude were notified just over a year ago about a fence on U.S. Forest Service property. Within months, the couple was facing indictments over the theft…
Craig Announces Senate Run
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig is running for the U.S. Senate. Craig has been in Congress since 2019 in a swing district that covers most of the southern Twin Cities suburbs and rural areas to the southwest. This…
Ag Budget Includes $17 Million Boost
The Minnesota Legislature is in its final month. The House-passed ag budget bill increases total funding for agriculture in the state by $17 million. Agricultural lobbyist Bruce Kleven says there were multiple wins in the House budget bill. “One of…
Governor Armstrong Signs Bill Supporting Farmers’ Chemical Access
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong signed HB 1318, a bill that would secure the continued access to essential crop protection tools for farmers across North Dakota. “This bill simply says the law is the law, that labeling, that process is…