‘Common Sense’
In a White House event, the Trump Administration highlighted its new Make America Healthy Again report. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. described the report as common sense. “It’s common sense that we can celebrate the innovations of modern…
Enhancements Made to the Farm Safety Net
The House reconciliation package makes adjustments in the farm safety net. Reference prices would increase for all covered commodities starting with the 2025 crop year. The ARC-CO and ARC-IC guarantee increases from 86 percent to 90 percent of the benchmark…
Finstad: Budget Bill Boosts Farm Policy
Minnesota Representative Brad Finstad says the House passage of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” includes key wins for agriculture. Finstad highlighted provisions that strengthen crop insurance, extend discounted coverage for young farmers, and update reference prices for ARC and PLC…
ASA President Calls MAHA Report a “Flat-Out Attack” on U.S. Farmers
American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland voiced deep frustration over the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s new report, criticizing both its content and the lack of transparency behind its development. “We’re very disappointed in not only the content but also…
NCGA Slams MAHA Report as Fear-Based
The National Corn Growers Association called the MAHA report “fear-based rather than science-based,” warning it could mislead the public about proven crop protection tools like atrazine and glyphosate. The group emphasized that these products have undergone decades of scientific review…
NAWG Pushes Back on MAHA Report
Agriculture groups continue to push back on the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s recent report, warning it could harm public confidence in food production. Though the report raises health concerns about crop protection tools like pesticides, its recommendations carry no…
Pesticides Under Scrutiny in MAHA Report
President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again Commission released its long-awaited report Thursday, pointing to poor diets, chemical exposure, and overmedication as key drivers of chronic illness in children. The report highlights concerns about environmental toxins, calling for further research into…
Section 32 Purchase to Include Dry Beans
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $67 million in fruits, vegetables and fresh seafood for food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The Section 32 purchase will include $14 million of Great Northern beans.
Timely Rains
Rain came just in time to give the newly planted crops a drink in west central Minnesota. On the Red River Farm Network Crop Watch tour, Wolverton farmer Jay Nord said the timing couldn’t have been better. “We got done the…
Fielding Questions
The Fielding Questions podcast is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network, focusing on the issues of farm financial management, markets and more. In this week’s podcast, RRFN Farm Broadcaster Jamie Dickerman talks with…
Crop Watch: Excellent Planting Progress Before the Rain
Spring fieldwork has moved quickly in western Minnesota. During the RRFN Crop Watch broadcast, CW Valley Co-op General Manager Mike Bjertness said a stretch of dry, workable weather allowed farmers to make significant planting progress before the latest round of…
Seedling Stress Seen This Spring
At Hillsboro, North Dakota, most of the crop has emerged. “I do fear that in some areas, we may see a little bit of yellowing in corn and wheat,” reports Mackenzie Adams, sales agronomist, CHS Ag Services. “When you get…
Pivot Bio to Transition Headquarters to the Midwest
Pivot Bio is exploring options to move its global headquarters from Berkley, California to the Midwest. Several opportunities are being considered. The company is also planning to establish a Center for Research, Development, Innovation and Operations in the Midwest to…
Deere & Company Acquires Sentera
John Deere has acquired a remote-based precision agriculture and imagery company called Sentera. Sentera is based in St. Paul and produces technology allowing drones to fly over fields at high speeds and still generate high resolution images. Deere plans to…
Section 32 Purchase to Include Dry Beans
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $67 million in fruits, vegetables and fresh seafood for food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The Section 32 purchase will include $14 million of Great Northern beans.
Slow, Slow Expansion Happening in the Cattle Herd
According to CattleFax Chief Executive Officer Randy Blach, fed cattle supplies remain tight. “We’ve got more hooks than we have cattle to fill those hooks. And we see that not only at the fed cattle level, but we see it at…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In today’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management owner Randy Martinson cites the hog market as one of the stronger aspects of the market. “The front months are trading up over $100 now.”…
SD Corn Comments
In South Dakota Corn Comments, Danita Murray, executive director of South Dakota Corn, discusses a recent negotiation between India and the U.S. Murray said a promise by India to work on issues, such as the importation of biotech corn, is…
Experts Caution: Tariff Pauses Don’t Equal Trade Peace
Tariff exchanges between the U.S. and trade partners have made a significant mark on the commodities markets, and in some cases, agreements to negotiate have been made. But, as some NDSU economists are saying, an agreement to negotiate is not…
Record Demand Despite Tariffs
Even with the 90-day de-escalation of tariffs between China and the U.S., U.S. meat exports to China have ground to a halt. “In the case then of China, that’s our third best customer, and we now are sending them no…
American Beef Remains a Hurdle in the UK Market
As the U.S. and UK officials finalize their trade deal, England is still refusing to let American beef treated with growth promotants into its market. During a news conference in London, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said she is incredibly proud…
Section 32 Purchase to Include Dry Beans
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $67 million in fruits, vegetables and fresh seafood for food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The Section 32 purchase will include $14 million of Great Northern beans.
Fielding Questions
The Fielding Questions podcast is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network, focusing on the issues of farm financial management, markets and more. In this week’s podcast, RRFN Farm Broadcaster Jamie Dickerman talks with…
Pivot Bio to Transition Headquarters to the Midwest
Pivot Bio is exploring options to move its global headquarters from Berkley, California to the Midwest. Several opportunities are being considered. The company is also planning to establish a Center for Research, Development, Innovation and Operations in the Midwest to…
Deere & Company Acquires Sentera
John Deere has acquired a remote-based precision agriculture and imagery company called Sentera. Sentera is based in St. Paul and produces technology allowing drones to fly over fields at high speeds and still generate high resolution images. Deere plans to…
‘Common Sense’
In a White House event, the Trump Administration highlighted its new Make America Healthy Again report. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. described the report as common sense. “It’s common sense that we can celebrate the innovations of modern…
Germination, Emergence Look Good
Despite the up-and-down weather, Rock and Roll Agronomy owner Jason Hanson is not expecting too many germination or emergence issues in the Devils Lake Basin. “If you seeded corn and beans into moisture, it didn’t take long for germination to…
MAHA Targets Added Sugars in the Diet
Sugar Association President and CEO P. Courtney Gaine is disputing the MAHA criticism of added sugars. In a statement, Gaine said added sugars currently make up 12 percent of total calories nationwide. That’s the lowest level in 40 years and…
Timely Rains
Rain came just in time to give the newly planted crops a drink in west central Minnesota. On the Red River Farm Network Crop Watch tour, Wolverton farmer Jay Nord said the timing couldn’t have been better. “We got done the…
Crop Watch: Excellent Planting Progress Before the Rain
Spring fieldwork has moved quickly in western Minnesota. During the RRFN Crop Watch broadcast, CW Valley Co-op General Manager Mike Bjertness said a stretch of dry, workable weather allowed farmers to make significant planting progress before the latest round of…
Seedling Stress Seen This Spring
At Hillsboro, North Dakota, most of the crop has emerged. “I do fear that in some areas, we may see a little bit of yellowing in corn and wheat,” reports Mackenzie Adams, sales agronomist, CHS Ag Services. “When you get…
A Smooth Spring Season
The Red River Farm Network Crop Watch tour made a stop at the Jake Thompson farm near Barnesville, Minnesota. “This probably was one of the better springs we’ve had in a really long time,” said Thompson. “The ground was really mellow.…
Germination, Emergence Look Good
Despite the up-and-down weather, Rock and Roll Agronomy owner Jason Hanson is not expecting too many germination or emergence issues in the Devils Lake Basin. “If you seeded corn and beans into moisture, it didn’t take long for germination to…
Trade Mission Uncovers New Soybean Opportunities
Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Joe Smentek recently returned from a USDA-led trade mission to Hong Kong, which explored new opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports. Smentek said the trip showcased significant demand for food-grade soybeans and sustainable aviation fuel.…
An Adjustment in the Weed Management Plan
Nearly all of the crop is planted in the Wyndmere, North Dakota area in the southeastern corner of the state. After two-to-four inches of rain this past week, Carson Klosterman says the focus now shifts to post-emergence weed control. “There were…
Emergency HPAI Vaccine Strategy Sought
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, urging her to develop an emergency plan to vaccinate cattle against highly pathogenic avian influenza. Rounds said that the strategy should include the stockpiling of vaccine.
Slow, Slow Expansion Happening in the Cattle Herd
According to CattleFax Chief Executive Officer Randy Blach, fed cattle supplies remain tight. “We’ve got more hooks than we have cattle to fill those hooks. And we see that not only at the fed cattle level, but we see it at…
Farmer-Focused Nutrition
Crop nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all effort. Earlier this month, Darren Dillenbeck joined BW Fusion as its CEO. Most recently, Dillenbeck was president of FMC North America. In an interview with RRFN, Dillenbeck said BW Fusion hopes to capitalize on…
Hoeven Pushes Cattle Market Reforms
Senator John Hoeven used a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing this week to push for stronger cattle market protections and expanded trade opportunities. Hoeven emphasized full enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act and highlighted the success of his Cattle Contract…
Milk Production Edges Higher
U.S. milk production rose 1.5 percent in April. In South Dakota, milk output rose 9.2 percent from one year ago. South Dakota dairy farmers added 16,000 dairy cows to the state herd in the past year. Minnesota milk production increased…
MN Beef Update
In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt discusses their participation in the Urban Ag Day. Click here.
Cattle Prices Show No Signs of Slowing
Cattle markets are surging with record-high prices reported at local auction barns. Brad Thelen, owner, Long Prairie Livestock, says demand is strong across all classes, including dairy, beef, and crossbred calves. Holstein springers are topping out at $3,850, with baby…
Section 32 Purchase to Include Dry Beans
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $67 million in fruits, vegetables and fresh seafood for food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The Section 32 purchase will include $14 million of Great Northern beans.
‘We Love Our Farmers’
During the ceremony commemorating Make America Healthy Again, President Donald Trump paid tribute to agriculture. “I have to say we have the greatest farmers in the world, and we love our farmers, and we want to pay respect to our farmers…
‘Common Sense’
In a White House event, the Trump Administration highlighted its new Make America Healthy Again report. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. described the report as common sense. “It’s common sense that we can celebrate the innovations of modern…
Enhancements Made to the Farm Safety Net
The House reconciliation package makes adjustments in the farm safety net. Reference prices would increase for all covered commodities starting with the 2025 crop year. The ARC-CO and ARC-IC guarantee increases from 86 percent to 90 percent of the benchmark…
MAHA Targets Added Sugars in the Diet
Sugar Association President and CEO P. Courtney Gaine is disputing the MAHA criticism of added sugars. In a statement, Gaine said added sugars currently make up 12 percent of total calories nationwide. That’s the lowest level in 40 years and…
Food and Farming Included in MAHA Report
The Make America Healthy Again report targets the consumption of processed foods, added sugar and seed oils. The report levies part of the blame on what it calls “a pattern of corporatization and consolidation” in the food system. The report…
Cali EV Mandate Rejected
The U.S. Senate approved two resolutions to overturn California’s electric vehicle mandate. The California standard said all the cars and light-duty trucks sold in the state had to be powered by electricity or hydrogen by 2035. Seventeen states, including Minnesota,…
