Much of the focus at the National Farmers Union Annual Convention was on consolidation within the ag industry. NFU Vice President and Aberdeen, South Dakota farmer, Jeff Kippley says it’s not just something affecting farmers. “We have very limited people…

South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says there’s a lot of concern at the National Farmers Union Convention for the next generation of farmers, who are also trying to stay afloat during such difficult times. “We have a horrible…

The current farm economy was the big talking point at the National Farmers Union Convention this year in New Orleans. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says farmers have many concerns that they’re voicing at the delegate sessions, but staying…

Farmers and ag industry professionals have gathered in New Orleans for the 2026 National Farmers Union (NFU) annual convention to discuss and shape the policies that will guide agriculture through the coming year. NFU President Rob Larew says much of…

North Dakota was well represented at this year’s National Farmers Union convention in New Orleans. “We’re really excited to have 56 delegates here from North Dakota, making sure that North Dakota’s voice is heard on the national stage,” said North…

A supplemental spending package to deliver emergency funding for the Iran war effort may be a vehicle for farm assistance and disaster relief.  According to Politico, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair John Hoeven wants to combine funding for relief from…

Geopolitical news seems to have a bigger impact than fundamentals in the current grain trade. The Money Farm President Allison Thompson says it is a headline-driven market. “One headline can certainly change the direction of grains, outside markets, everything, so…

Much of the focus at the National Farmers Union Annual Convention was on consolidation within the ag industry. NFU Vice President and Aberdeen, South Dakota farmer, Jeff Kippley says it’s not just something affecting farmers. “We have very limited people…

South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says there’s a lot of concern at the National Farmers Union Convention for the next generation of farmers, who are also trying to stay afloat during such difficult times. “We have a horrible…

The current farm economy was the big talking point at the National Farmers Union Convention this year in New Orleans. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says farmers have many concerns that they’re voicing at the delegate sessions, but staying…

Farmers and ag industry professionals have gathered in New Orleans for the 2026 National Farmers Union (NFU) annual convention to discuss and shape the policies that will guide agriculture through the coming year. NFU President Rob Larew says much of…

North Dakota was well represented at this year’s National Farmers Union convention in New Orleans. “We’re really excited to have 56 delegates here from North Dakota, making sure that North Dakota’s voice is heard on the national stage,” said North…

A supplemental spending package to deliver emergency funding for the Iran war effort may be a vehicle for farm assistance and disaster relief.  According to Politico, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair John Hoeven wants to combine funding for relief from…

The National Pork Producers Council has elected new officers for 2026-2027. Rob Brenneman of Iowa is the new president. Todd Marotz of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, was elected vice president. Marotz is the chief production officer for Wakefield Pork.

Geopolitical news seems to have a bigger impact than fundamentals in the current grain trade. The Money Farm President Allison Thompson says it is a headline-driven market. “One headline can certainly change the direction of grains, outside markets, everything, so…

High-level trade talks are scheduled this week in Paris between the United States and China. Tariffs and the purchase of U.S. soybeans will be on the table. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be leading the U.S. delegation. President Trump and…

Low inventory and small volume led to higher American Crystal Sugar Company beet stock trades last week. Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke said last week there were two small brokered sales of five and six shares at $4,400 per…

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet from March 31st to April 2nd in Beijing. After securing 12 million metric tons of soybeans, Trump said China would buy an additional 8 million. Martinson Ag Risk…

Panama has seized control of the port facilities previously operated by a Chinese company. CK Hutchinson, who managed the two facilities on the Panama Canal, is taking legal action to prevent the takeover. President Trump has criticized China’s presence at…

Fuel and fertilizer prices took a jolt from the conflict with Iran. Bolt Marketing owner DuWayne Bosse also sees it influencing commodity markets. “War in general is kinda bullish for commodities, and it’s really bullish corn,” said Bosse. “If fuel…

The United States is a net importer of urea. CHS Executive Vice President Rick Dusek believes that supply is at risk due to the war in the Middle East. “Typically, these next couple of weeks are when the last vessels load…

Farmers and ag industry professionals have gathered in New Orleans for the 2026 National Farmers Union (NFU) annual convention to discuss and shape the policies that will guide agriculture through the coming year. NFU President Rob Larew says much of…

North Dakota was well represented at this year’s National Farmers Union convention in New Orleans. “We’re really excited to have 56 delegates here from North Dakota, making sure that North Dakota’s voice is heard on the national stage,” said North…

The National Pork Producers Council has elected new officers for 2026-2027. Rob Brenneman of Iowa is the new president. Todd Marotz of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, was elected vice president. Marotz is the chief production officer for Wakefield Pork.

Paul Sobocinski, Wabasso, Minnesota, received the Bruce Miller Award during the National Farmers Union Convention. The award is named for longtime Minnesota Farmers Union staff member Bruce Miller. It recognizes leaders who display a passion for family farming,  while promoting…

Geopolitical news seems to have a bigger impact than fundamentals in the current grain trade. The Money Farm President Allison Thompson says it is a headline-driven market. “One headline can certainly change the direction of grains, outside markets, everything, so…

Low inventory and small volume led to higher American Crystal Sugar Company beet stock trades last week. Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke said last week there were two small brokered sales of five and six shares at $4,400 per…

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, MDA Certification and Assessment Coordinator Ellen Frederich offers insight on a…

FMC Technical Service Manager Madison Wozniak describes tar spot as a disease that will overwinter in the soil. “You’re going to see it pop up in your crops as long as the environmental conditions are right and it has a…

UPL has a new bio-nematicide seed treatment that can help protect against pests like the soybean cyst nematode. Technical Sales Support Specialist Lyn Justeffson says Numaxa improves pest control while also promoting root growth. “Numaxa is a naturally occurring microbe…

Minnesota is among the states challenging President Donald Trump’s new global tariff plan. A coalition of 24 Democratic state attorneys general and governors, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade…

Paige Elsner operates Page Seed and Agronomy with her sister Debbi Midstokke. The Pioneer Seed agency is a legacy business that began with her grandfather in 1977. Her early involvement in the family business led her to North Dakota State…

Analysts surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expect slightly smaller soybean crops in South America ahead of the USDA’s next WASDE report due out Tuesday. The average estimate puts Brazil’s soybean production at 179.3 million metric tons, down about 700,000…

This week’s Drought Monitor had a significant expansion in drought. Fifty-six percent of the winter wheat area is in some form of drought, the highest weekly reading since November of 2024. Dry, drought-like conditions in Minnesota and South Dakota intensified…

Canadian farmers expect some shifts in crop acreage for the 2026 growing season. Statistics Canada says producers plan to increase planted area for canola, barley, soybeans and corn, while acreage for wheat, oats, lentils and dry peas is expected to…

In the MN Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council Communications Director Ashley Wolff discusses National Nutrition Month and the role that protein plays in our diet. Click here. 

Cattle Country Conversations is a weekly feature from the Red River Farm Network. This week, we learn about a bill dealing with lab-grown meat in the South Dakota Legislature. State Representative John Sjaarda is carrying the bill and can be…

Rising beef prices are renewing debate in Washington over the structure of the U.S. meatpacking industry. According to The Wall Street Journal, Senate Democrats are preparing legislation that would force large meatpackers to restructure by limiting companies to processing only…

The Meat Institute is strongly criticizing legislation introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that targets the structure of the meatpacking industry. The group says the proposal, called the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, would force companies that process…

Zoetis has agreed with Neogen Corporation to acquire its animal genomics business. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is valued at $160 million.

During the National Pork Industry Forum, the National Pork Producers Council inducted Ken and Julie Maschhoff and Sam Carney into its Hall of Fame. The Maschhoff’s operate Maschhoff Family Foods and Maschhoffs Inc. The Carlyle, Illinois-based business is the third-largest…

2025 was a great year for US pork exports. U.S. Meat Export Federation Assistant Vice President of Communications John Herath says beef exports were a different story. The U.S. doesn’t have access to the Chinese market. “If you take China…

Much of the focus at the National Farmers Union Annual Convention was on consolidation within the ag industry. NFU Vice President and Aberdeen, South Dakota farmer, Jeff Kippley says it’s not just something affecting farmers. “We have very limited people…

South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says there’s a lot of concern at the National Farmers Union Convention for the next generation of farmers, who are also trying to stay afloat during such difficult times. “We have a horrible…

The current farm economy was the big talking point at the National Farmers Union Convention this year in New Orleans. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says farmers have many concerns that they’re voicing at the delegate sessions, but staying…

Farmers and ag industry professionals have gathered in New Orleans for the 2026 National Farmers Union (NFU) annual convention to discuss and shape the policies that will guide agriculture through the coming year. NFU President Rob Larew says much of…

A supplemental spending package to deliver emergency funding for the Iran war effort may be a vehicle for farm assistance and disaster relief.  According to Politico, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair John Hoeven wants to combine funding for relief from…

High-level trade talks are scheduled this week in Paris between the United States and China. Tariffs and the purchase of U.S. soybeans will be on the table. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be leading the U.S. delegation. President Trump and…

Trade negotiations between the United States and China could include several major energy and agriculture issues ahead of a potential summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. officials are reportedly considering asking China to reduce purchases…