The Federal Trade Commission has formally launched an investigation into market concentration in the fertilizer industry. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said rising fertilizer prices deserve scrutiny. “Fertilizer prices exploded under the Biden administration,” said Ferguson. “The FTC, with the Department of…

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day, Minnesota Rural Mental Health Specialist Monica McConkey said calls for help are increasing across farm country. “For the past two months, there has been an increase in contacts looking for help,”…

The Iowa-based Latham seed company is suing Bayer for allegedly monopolizing the U.S. market for biotech corn seed. In the civil lawsuit, Latham claims Bayer inflated costs for farmers and independent seed companies by controlling the market for herbicide-resistant traits.…

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Agriculturist Paul Moffat says sugarbeet growers in the southern Red River Valley are dealing with above-normal replant acres following cold temperatures and strong winds this spring. “We’re right around that 8,000-acre mark, so that’s probably eight or…

North Dakota Farm Service Agency Executive Director Brad Thykeson said the USDA modernization effort is designed to improve efficiency. “North Dakota, as a state, is going to do our software program change in June,” explained Thykeson. “We’re going to be…

North Dakota and Maryland will serve as pilot states for a new acreage reporting system designed to modernize FSA operations. USDA Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs Jared Hagert said the upgraded technology will improve efficiency for farmers and county FSA…

North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has announced a new initiative to link the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center and the National Rural Export Center. Hoeven said the partnership will strengthen export opportunities for farmers, ranchers and rural…

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Agriculturist Paul Moffet is featured in the latest edition of the Sugarbeet Report. Due to the cold temperatures this spring, the number of replants was up. Click here to listen to the report. 

A new report from the Institute for Feed Education and Research highlights the U.S. livestock sector’s dependence on China for key vitamins and amino acids used in animal feed. “We aren’t concerned about the quality coming from China,” said IFEEDER Executive…

With the current temperatures, ranchers are monitoring cattle for heat stress and respiratory issues. Manning, North Dakota rancher Derrick Dukart said water availability is becoming increasingly important. “The cattle are drinking way more water than typically where we’re at for calving…

North Dakota State University Extension Entomologist Jan Knodel is encouraging canola growers to scout fields as flea beetle activity increases with warmer temperatures. “The most susceptible stage is the seedling to four-to-six leaf stage,” said Knodel. “That’s when the flea beetle…

Elevated fertilizer prices are prompting more farmers to adopt variable-rate application technology. GK Technology agronomist Sarah Lovas said growers are looking for ways to maximize their fertilizer investment. “You get urea prices getting up north of $800 a ton, and boy,…

The Federal Trade Commission has formally launched an investigation into market concentration in the fertilizer industry. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said rising fertilizer prices deserve scrutiny. “Fertilizer prices exploded under the Biden administration,” said Ferguson. “The FTC, with the Department of…

Hormel Foods reports operating income of $217 million in the second quarter. Net sales totaled $2.9 billion, with organic net sales up three percent. Sales were up six percent in food service, and down two percent in volume for retail.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the Trump administration will soon seek public input on which Chinese imports could qualify for lower tariffs under a new U.S.-China trade framework. The agreement creates a Board of Trade to review roughly $30…

North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has announced a new initiative to link the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center and the National Rural Export Center. Hoeven said the partnership will strengthen export opportunities for farmers, ranchers and rural…

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has primarily impacted energy markets; plenty of grain moved through this waterway in the past as well. The shipbroker, Simpson Spence Young, said nearly 40 million tons of ag products were imported into…

The Middle East isn’t a typical destination for spring wheat, but there are ripple effects being seen in all of export business. “Ocean freight has gotten more expensive,  insurance for some of the vessels and then just execution on it…

Brazil is expected to approve higher ethanol blends in June. The mandatory ethanol blend in gasoline is now at 30 percent and the proposal pushes it to 32 percent. The Brazilian energy policy council needs to formally approve the change,…

According to the latest Rabobank forecast, Australia will see a significantly smaller wheat crop for the 2026-2027 crop. The forecast calls for a 41 percent drop in wheat production due to the stubbornly low prices, high input costs and dry…

Ever.Ag Producer Division President Mike North says Class III milk markets are correcting after recent price strength pushed U.S. products above world prices. “As prices rose, we began to price ourselves out of some of those markets,” North said. “Powder…

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Agriculturist Paul Moffet is featured in the latest edition of the Sugarbeet Report. Due to the cold temperatures this spring, the number of replants was up. Click here to listen to the report. 

A new report from the Institute for Feed Education and Research highlights the U.S. livestock sector’s dependence on China for key vitamins and amino acids used in animal feed. “We aren’t concerned about the quality coming from China,” said IFEEDER Executive…

Elevated fertilizer prices are prompting more farmers to adopt variable-rate application technology. GK Technology agronomist Sarah Lovas said growers are looking for ways to maximize their fertilizer investment. “You get urea prices getting up north of $800 a ton, and boy,…

The Federal Trade Commission has formally launched an investigation into market concentration in the fertilizer industry. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said rising fertilizer prices deserve scrutiny. “Fertilizer prices exploded under the Biden administration,” said Ferguson. “The FTC, with the Department of…

Hormel Foods reports operating income of $217 million in the second quarter. Net sales totaled $2.9 billion, with organic net sales up three percent. Sales were up six percent in food service, and down two percent in volume for retail.

Audra Scheel is the new South Dakota FFA executive secretary. Scheel has more than 14 years of experience in youth development, agriculture and community engagement. That includes time as a 4-H Extension agent in Sanborn, Jerauld and Buffalo counties.

The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council has hired Emily Liebl as its new program coordinator. Most recently, Liebl was the social media manager for the Walz Automotive Group. Before that, Liebl was a 4-H Extension educator in Elbow Lake. Kari…

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Agriculturist Paul Moffet is featured in the latest edition of the Sugarbeet Report. Due to the cold temperatures this spring, the number of replants was up. Click here to listen to the report. 

North Dakota State University Extension Entomologist Jan Knodel is encouraging canola growers to scout fields as flea beetle activity increases with warmer temperatures. “The most susceptible stage is the seedling to four-to-six leaf stage,” said Knodel. “That’s when the flea beetle…

Purple Corn Syndrome is being reported in North Dakota. The NDSU Crop and Pest Report cites the cool temperatures, wet fields and bright daytime sun for the stress on the young corn plants. The report said the purpling of small…

In the Pioneer Agronomy Update, Pioneer Field Agronomist Kristie Sundeen reminds growers to apply their pre-emergence herbicides in soybeans. “Weeds such as waterhemp and kochia continue to challenge us in the post-herbicide applications, and it is essential that growers take…

With the recent spike in heat, the question of pasture development comes to the forefront for almost every rancher. Darrell Oswald, Wing, North Dakota, is trying to consider every angle.”It may slow some things down, especially if there isn’t adequate…

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Agriculturist Paul Moffat says sugarbeet growers in the southern Red River Valley are dealing with above-normal replant acres following cold temperatures and strong winds this spring. “We’re right around that 8,000-acre mark, so that’s probably eight or…

In the Pioneer Agronomy Update, Pioneer Field Agronomist Kristie Sundeen said this week’s weather will jump start the crop into summer. “Most of the corn has been planted, with some expected to finish this week. GDU accumulation has been slow…

A new report from the Institute for Feed Education and Research highlights the U.S. livestock sector’s dependence on China for key vitamins and amino acids used in animal feed. “We aren’t concerned about the quality coming from China,” said IFEEDER Executive…

With the current temperatures, ranchers are monitoring cattle for heat stress and respiratory issues. Manning, North Dakota rancher Derrick Dukart said water availability is becoming increasingly important. “The cattle are drinking way more water than typically where we’re at for calving…

Tyson Foods has named Jeff Schomburger as its next president and chief executive officer. Schomburger spent 35 years in leadership with Procter and Gamble, retiring as its global sales officer in 2019. He has been a member of the Tyson…

In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council summer intern Mary LaNoue talks highlights her beef checkoff experience. Click here. 

Zoetis has received expanded label approval for Synovex ONE Grower. This approval gives dry lot beef cattle a long-acting implant option, adding flexibility for operations with growing cattle.

With the recent spike in heat, the question of pasture development comes to the forefront for almost every rancher. Darrell Oswald, Wing, North Dakota, is trying to consider every angle.”It may slow some things down, especially if there isn’t adequate…

Ever.Ag Producer Division President Mike North says Class III milk markets are correcting after recent price strength pushed U.S. products above world prices. “As prices rose, we began to price ourselves out of some of those markets,” North said. “Powder…

The Federal Trade Commission has formally launched an investigation into market concentration in the fertilizer industry. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said rising fertilizer prices deserve scrutiny. “Fertilizer prices exploded under the Biden administration,” said Ferguson. “The FTC, with the Department of…

Farmers have until the end of August to add base acres for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. This is the first update to base acres in nearly a quarter of a century. The FSA has started…

The proposed merger of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific is eligible for a formal review by the Surface Transportation Board. The rail companies were asked to submit a revised application to provide additional information. The STB review is expected to…

Farmers have until the end of August to add base acres for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. This is the first update to base acres in nearly a quarter of a century. The FSA has started…

In this edition of Corn Matters, Minnesota Corn Growers Association First Vice President Todd Wentzel previewed his appearance before the Federal Trade Commission regarding consolidation in the fertilizer industry. Click here. 

Vermont is the first state in the nation to ban the use of paraquat. The ban was passed by Vermont’s Democratic legislature and signed by its Republican governor. A similar ban was proposed in the Minnesota Legislature this spring. and…

Twenty-four groups, including South Dakota-based Four Bands Community Fund, the African Alliance of Rhode Island and the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, have joined a lawsuit against the USDA. Grants to support underserved farmers and ranchers were canceled in March based…