77% of Farm Household Income Comes from Off the Farm
An American Farm Bureau Federation Market Intel report found most of the U.S. farm household income is from off-farm sources. “Seventy-seven percent of income that farm households receive comes from those off-farm sources, meaning only 23 percent comes from farm-related…
House Dems Warn About Potential USDA ‘Brain Drain’
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and her fellow Democratic members have sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, voicing concern about USDA’s Deferred Resignation Program and Reduction in Force plans. The letter said there is fear the…
MN House Passes Ag Finance Bill
The agriculture finance bill is the first omnibus budget bill to pass the Minnesota House this session. It had overwhelming support with a vote of 130-to-three. Agriculture Committee Co-Chair Paul Anderson said it is a solid piece of legislation. “This is…
DGF FFA Chapter Makes its Debut
The Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton FFA Chapter is one of a handful of new programs chartered at the state convention. DGF FFA President Madison Camacho said this is the culmination of years of hard work. “I’ve been in FFA since my freshman year…
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…
ND Agriculture Represented at Roundtable Discussion
The diversity of North Dakota agriculture was on full display during the roundtable discussion with ag leaders. Agriculture Secretary Rollins heard from leaders in nearly every commodity, from dry beans to potatoes and from cattle to corn. North Dakota Soybean…
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…
Well Grounded Podcast
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…
A Record Year
Thousands of Minnesota FFA members are competing this week in Career Development Events, participating in workshops and delegate sessions. Minnesota FFA Foundation Executive Director Val Aarsvold is also looking forward to general sessions. “We’re going to see a record-breaking year…
Wheat and Field Pea Plannting Wrapped Up for Kessel
Planting is ahead of schedule in southwestern North Dakota for Greg Kessel. The Belfield farmer is finished with small grains and field peas . He’s waiting to start on corn. “We’ve had a couple of significant rains, we’re still so…
Hit and Miss
The amount of field activity varies across northeastern North Dakota. “It’s kind of hit and miss,” said Brent Baldwin. “We got a couple of quarters of wheat in.” When interviewed on Friday, Baldwin expected to have two quarters seeded. Moisture…
Farm Bankruptcies Spike
Farm bankruptcies jumped 55 percent from 2023 to 2024 and are climbing higher this year, driven by low commodity prices and high input costs. Tariff uncertainty, immigration policy changes, and delayed federal support are adding to the financial strain. According…
Nearly Done with Spring Wheat
Mandan, North Dakota area farmer Dennis Renner is nearly done with his spring wheat seeding. “Most people are nearing the end of small grain seeding, looking to start on corn and beans probably in early May.” Despite ongoing dryness, Renner…
A Big Week for Field Activity
The planting pace picked up this past week in west central Minnesota. Elbow Lake farmer Scott Swenson reports conditions improved significantly. “Just the last couple of days, I think everybody’s been going.” Swenson noted soybean planting has not started, but…
Well Grounded Podcast
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?…
China Issues a Warning
China has warned any country that makes a trade deal with the United States. The Trump Administration has said it plans to pressure those countries to limit trade with China. The Chinese commerce ministry made it clear it opposes any…
Well Grounded Podcast
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…
A Record Year
Thousands of Minnesota FFA members are competing this week in Career Development Events, participating in workshops and delegate sessions. Minnesota FFA Foundation Executive Director Val Aarsvold is also looking forward to general sessions. “We’re going to see a record-breaking year…
Farm Bankruptcies Spike
Farm bankruptcies jumped 55 percent from 2023 to 2024 and are climbing higher this year, driven by low commodity prices and high input costs. Tariff uncertainty, immigration policy changes, and delayed federal support are adding to the financial strain. According…
77% of Farm Household Income Comes from Off the Farm
An American Farm Bureau Federation Market Intel report found most of the U.S. farm household income is from off-farm sources. “Seventy-seven percent of income that farm households receive comes from those off-farm sources, meaning only 23 percent comes from farm-related…
Time and Talent Recognized by NDSU Extension
NDSU Extension presented its 2025 Friend of Extension Award to Nancy Nicolas-Maier and Larry Hoffman. Nikolas-Mayer is the director of the adult and aging services division with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Hoffman is a Cass…
Canola Minute
In the Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman offers insight into the 45Z biofuel regulations and the impact on the canola industry. Click here.
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…
Wheat and Field Pea Plannting Wrapped Up for Kessel
Planting is ahead of schedule in southwestern North Dakota for Greg Kessel. The Belfield farmer is finished with small grains and field peas . He’s waiting to start on corn. “We’ve had a couple of significant rains, we’re still so…
Hit and Miss
The amount of field activity varies across northeastern North Dakota. “It’s kind of hit and miss,” said Brent Baldwin. “We got a couple of quarters of wheat in.” When interviewed on Friday, Baldwin expected to have two quarters seeded. Moisture…
Nearly Done with Spring Wheat
Mandan, North Dakota area farmer Dennis Renner is nearly done with his spring wheat seeding. “Most people are nearing the end of small grain seeding, looking to start on corn and beans probably in early May.” Despite ongoing dryness, Renner…
A Big Week for Field Activity
The planting pace picked up this past week in west central Minnesota. Elbow Lake farmer Scott Swenson reports conditions improved significantly. “Just the last couple of days, I think everybody’s been going.” Swenson noted soybean planting has not started, but…
‘Ideal Planting Conditions’ in SE ND
Farmers in southeastern North Dakota are making strong strides with spring planting. At Oakes, Scott German shared that the heavy, wet snow last month came at the perfect time, providing much-needed moisture. “I don’t remember planting conditions as good as…
SW ND Shows Steady Progress
Harlan Klein is nearly finished with his spring wheat seeding at Elgin, North Dakota. Despite dry conditions, Klein said planting has gone smoothly. “The top inch of the soil is dry and for the way we seed, that works ideally…
Dry Bean Scene
In the latest Dry Bean Scene, University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Bob Koch shares an update on soybean gall midge and the impact on dry beans. Click here.
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…
Neutral-to-Slightly Bearish COF Report
USDAS’s March Cattle on Feed report showed 11.6 million head of cattle in the nation’s feedlots as of April 1. That is down two percent from a year ago. Placements were up five percent from last year at 1.84 million…
No Confirmed Calf Thefts in North Dakota
Despite growing social media chatter, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association says there are no confirmed reports of stolen calves in the state. “What we’ve got is people who have called and said they’ve heard it’s going on,” said Chief Brand…
High Sulfates Pose Risk to ND Herds
As drought conditions persist across North Dakota, NDSU Extension is warning livestock producers to monitor water quality in stock ponds. “There’s a lot of water sources that are dry or nearly dry with the lack of snow and runoff,” said…
MN Beef Update
In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Kaityln Root offers information on the Steak on the Stick event. It will be held April 24 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Learn more.
- North Dakota Ag Leaders Urge Rollins to Support E15
- Rollins Teams Up with Musk to Modernize USDA
- Administration Praised for Support of Rural America
- House Dems Warn About Potential USDA ‘Brain Drain’
- ND Legislative Report
- MN House Passes Ag Finance Bill
- Crop Protection Bill Signed into Law
- All Policy
North Dakota Ag Leaders Urge Rollins to Support E15
North Dakota Corn Growers Association President Andrew Mauch called Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit to the state a “historic day for farmers.” Mauch and other ag leaders pushed for a permanent waiver to allow year-round sales of E15 fuel, highlighting…
Rollins Teams Up with Musk to Modernize USDA
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the partnership with Elon Musk is helping to modernize the USDA and better serve farmers. “I’ve worked right next to Elon for a couple of months now, and his heart and his mind are all…
Administration Praised for Support of Rural America
During Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit to Fargo, North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak praised the state’s agricultural leadership, emphasizing its innovation and resilience. Fedorchak also credited the Trump administration for its continued support of Rural America. “President Trump loves agriculture,…
House Dems Warn About Potential USDA ‘Brain Drain’
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and her fellow Democratic members have sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, voicing concern about USDA’s Deferred Resignation Program and Reduction in Force plans. The letter said there is fear the…
ND Legislative Report
The North Dakota Legislature is the first in the nation to address pesticide labeling requirements and the farmers’ access to those crop protection tools. Governor Armstrong signed House Bill 1318 into law this past week. Learn more in this week’s…
MN House Passes Ag Finance Bill
The agriculture finance bill is the first omnibus budget bill to pass the Minnesota House this session. It had overwhelming support with a vote of 130-to-three. Agriculture Committee Co-Chair Paul Anderson said it is a solid piece of legislation. “This is…
Crop Protection Bill Signed into Law
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has signed legislation that safeguards the farmers’ access to crop protection products. The bill said federally approved pesticide labels are the law and are not subject to activist lawsuits. Ongoing litigation nationwide over the use…