Portions of the proposed budget for the Minnesota Agriculture Department were announced ahead of the upcoming state legislative session. “There are things we’re considering with this $7.7 billion surplus in addition to the American Rescue Plan dollars,” said Thom Petersen,…

For the second time ever, U.S. soybean acres are forecast to go surpass corn production this year. Farm Progress, a division of Informa, expects soybeans to total 92.3 million acres. That compares to a forecast of 90.3 million acres for…

Supply chain logistics are facing another hurdle. More than 17,000 BNSF Railway union workers are threatening to go on strike February 1. A new attendance policy for employees is the point of contention. BNSF claims the new system will provide…

Minnesota Corn Growers Association delegates were engaged in the resolution process ahead of the annual meeting. MCGA supports the federal approval of the year-round use of E-15 and wants Minnesota to adopt an E-15 standard for unleaded gasoline. “We took…

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made an appearance at the MN Ag Expo. In addition to setting a goal of enrolling one million acres in the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program this year, Walz talked about the upcoming legislative session…

President Joe Biden spoke about the need for competition. The president said there are too many industries where a handful of large companies dominate the market. “Over time, it has reduced competition, squeezed out small businesses and farmers, ranchers and…

During the MN Ag Expo, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association approved six new resolutions. MSGA President Mike Skaug says the majority of the resolutions deal with water quality. “We had other resolutions that dealt with it previously, but things have…

After an unusually dry growing season in 2021, there is optimism for a different scenario this year. “We are hoping with the snow that it will help and maybe we’ll be getting some timely rains this season and build up…

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum rescheduled the state of the state address for Wednesday, February 16. This event will be held at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota. The governor’s address was scheduled for last week, but postponed because…

Funding to complete improvements to Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi River was included in the infrastructure bill passed in November 2021. Soybean Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says this is a big win for agriculture. “Agriculture’s been…

The St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received $437 million to complete work on the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion project from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funds will allow the Corps to complete all remaining…

Last fall allowed farmers to prepare early for the upcoming growing season. United Quality Co-op Chief Operating Officer and North Dakota Grain Dealers Association First Vice President Jeremy Burkhardt says many farmers took advantage of last fall’s lower prices to…

Controlling waterhemp is one topic at the University of Minnesota Extension’s Small Grains Update meetings. Extension Crops Educator Jared Goplen says small grains can help with waterhemp suppression. “Small grains are a competitive crop and this makes it really hard…

The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of Small Grains Update meetings and webinars around the state through February. Regional Extension Integrated Pest Management Educator Anthony Hanson says knowing what pests are in your fields is critical to…

South America received good rains in mid-January, alleviating late season production concerns. Along with the weather, StoneX Group market analyst Phillip Claussen says traders are monitoring export demand. “Like most years in January or February, there’s an eye on South…

The Biden administration has dubbed the rising retail value of meat coupled with higher packer margins “exploitations” of consumers and farmers.  The North American Meat Institute disputed that claim saying consumers saw increased meat prices in 2021 because of labor…

China increased agricultural imports in the past year with corn imports alone almost tripling in volume from 2020. Corn is also one of the biggest untapped trade markets for U.S in potential growth. “We’ve seen a huge increase in corn…

Speaking at a virtual World Economic Forum, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the world should not try to resurrect the trading system that was in place before the pandemic. Tai said lessons can be learned from the past two…

For the second time ever, U.S. soybean acres are forecast to go surpass corn production this year. Farm Progress, a division of Informa, expects soybeans to total 92.3 million acres. That compares to a forecast of 90.3 million acres for…

The ever-increasing cost of fertilizer was brought up in a House Agriculture Committee hearing. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to the complexity of the situation. “There’s no silver bullet, I wish there were and if there were, we’d certainly be…

Mexico is on the path to gradually eliminate glyphosate by 2024. Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology has cut its recommendation for glyphosate imports in half. Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador issued an executive order two years ago to…

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum rescheduled the state of the state address for Wednesday, February 16. This event will be held at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota. The governor’s address was scheduled for last week, but postponed because…

Funding to complete improvements to Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi River was included in the infrastructure bill passed in November 2021. Soybean Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says this is a big win for agriculture. “Agriculture’s been…

The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of Small Grains Update meetings and webinars around the state through February. Regional Extension Integrated Pest Management Educator Anthony Hanson says knowing what pests are in your fields is critical to…

Farm net incomes are going up. American Sugar Alliance Director of Economics and Policy Analysis Rob Johansson credits the increase to crop and livestock values remaining strong through 2021. “From the December USDA release, farm income is expected to be…

The North Dakota Grain Dealers Association elected three new board members during their annual meeting in January. These three new board leaders are Legacy Co-op General Manager Sean Slowinski from Bisbee, Horizon Resources Grain Division Manager Levi Hall from Willston…

Speaking at a virtual World Economic Forum, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the world should not try to resurrect the trading system that was in place before the pandemic. Tai said lessons can be learned from the past two…

Supply chain logistics are facing another hurdle. More than 17,000 BNSF Railway union workers are threatening to go on strike February 1. A new attendance policy for employees is the point of contention. BNSF claims the new system will provide…

After an unusually dry growing season in 2021, there is optimism for a different scenario this year. “We are hoping with the snow that it will help and maybe we’ll be getting some timely rains this season and build up…

Last fall allowed farmers to prepare early for the upcoming growing season. United Quality Co-op Chief Operating Officer and North Dakota Grain Dealers Association First Vice President Jeremy Burkhardt says many farmers took advantage of last fall’s lower prices to…

Controlling waterhemp is one topic at the University of Minnesota Extension’s Small Grains Update meetings. Extension Crops Educator Jared Goplen says small grains can help with waterhemp suppression. “Small grains are a competitive crop and this makes it really hard…

The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of Small Grains Update meetings and webinars around the state through February. Regional Extension Integrated Pest Management Educator Anthony Hanson says knowing what pests are in your fields is critical to…

Despite temperature swings since harvest, grain storage appears to be in generally good shape across the Midwest. A mostly dry fall had majority of grain going into storage at lower moisture levels, including some areas with corn coming out of…

At its annual winter conference, Precision Planting announced its first move into sprayer technology. “Growers have allowed us to be with them from planting to harvest to strip tillage and even air seeders,” said Matt Grove, regional manager, Precision Planting.…

In the Dry Bean Scene, Northarvest Bean Growers Association President Eric Samuelson comments on Bean Day and the crop prospects for 2022.

The Biden administration has dubbed the rising retail value of meat coupled with higher packer margins “exploitations” of consumers and farmers.  The North American Meat Institute disputed that claim saying consumers saw increased meat prices in 2021 because of labor…

China’s hog industry has overgone an evolution after the African Swine Fever swept through the country. Now, with the shift to feeding hogs in larger facilities up to 12 stories high, Aimpoint Research Chief Economist Gregg Doud says China has…

President Joe Biden spoke about the need for competition. The president said there are too many industries where a handful of large companies dominate the market. “Over time, it has reduced competition, squeezed out small businesses and farmers, ranchers and…

North Dakota Livestock Alliance Executive Director Amber Boeshans was on a mission while attending the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association Convention. “We are looking for folks who are interested in producing bio-secure pig feed,” said Boeshans. “This would be feed…

Building beef demand is key for the Minnesota Beef Council. CEO Kelly Schmidt talks about a few efforts underway to encourage consumers to choose beef. Hear more in this week’s Minnesota Beef Update.

Napoleon Livestock had a record number of cattle come through the auction barn Thursday. Napoleon Livestock Auction co-owner Jim Bitz says more than 8,000 head sold in the feeder cattle special sale.  “We actually sold the most cattle we’ve ever…

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute has added three new staff members. Clay Newton will serve as AURI’s meat innovation specialist. Newton’s background is in product development, meat lab operations, research project management and teaching. Laura Bachmeier is AURI’s new business…

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum rescheduled the state of the state address for Wednesday, February 16. This event will be held at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota. The governor’s address was scheduled for last week, but postponed because…

Funding to complete improvements to Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi River was included in the infrastructure bill passed in November 2021. Soybean Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says this is a big win for agriculture. “Agriculture’s been…

The St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received $437 million to complete work on the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion project from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funds will allow the Corps to complete all remaining…

Aside from dealing with a $7.7 billion budget surplus and $6.8 billion from the American Rescue Plan, Minnesota Ag lobbyist Bruce Kleven is expecting a quiet Minnesota legislative session. “We generally start to see bills from different departments showing up…

The Minnesota legislative session will begin in less than two weeks. While there is a budget surplus, Minnesota House Ag Finance and Policy Committee Lead Republican Paul Anderson does not think lawmakers should spend it all. “This is one-time money…

Portions of the proposed budget for the Minnesota Agriculture Department were announced ahead of the upcoming state legislative session. “There are things we’re considering with this $7.7 billion surplus in addition to the American Rescue Plan dollars,” said Thom Petersen,…

As the farm bill process begins, farmers and ag lenders want to protect crop insurance and federal farm programs. At the MN Ag Expo, Minn-Star Bank Senior Vice President Kent Thiesse said there will be some new themes in the…