Ag Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack has a confirmation hearing scheduled with the Senate Agriculture Committee next week. The hearing will be Tuesday, February 2 starting at 9:30 a.m. central time. This will be one of the first steps in the…

North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven helped introduce a resolution to uphold the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule replaced the Waters of the United States rule, which challenged property owners who would have faced new…

Half of the Midwestern farmers surveyed in the Farmer Speaks study said they were somewhat optimistic or very optimistic about 2021. That’s double from what it was last year at this time. In a webinar organized by J.L. Farmakis, Indiana…

The Minnesota Agriculture Department’s budget proposal has a three-percent (about $4 million) increase from the previous biennium. With the additional funds, Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says the department wants to build on two areas, starting with a $4 million…

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz released a $52 billion budget proposal for the 2022 – 2023 biennium. The proposal would raise taxes for corporations and the wealthy. It emphasizes small business support in COVID and provides an increase in the general…

A glimpse into the agricultural economy was part of the keynote address to Minnesota Corn Growers Association members during their virtual annual meeting. The coronavirus pandemic will go down in the history books as a black swan event many in…

A Livestock Dealer Trust was established in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last month. This gives unpaid sellers of livestock additional protection, but it only applies if the entity being sold to is a livestock dealer. “As long…

Ag Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack has a confirmation hearing scheduled with the Senate Agriculture Committee next week. The hearing will be Tuesday, February 2 starting at 9:30 a.m. central time. This will be one of the first steps in the…

North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven helped introduce a resolution to uphold the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule replaced the Waters of the United States rule, which challenged property owners who would have faced new…

Half of the Midwestern farmers surveyed in the Farmer Speaks study said they were somewhat optimistic or very optimistic about 2021. That’s double from what it was last year at this time. In a webinar organized by J.L. Farmakis, Indiana…

China and other export partners are demanding less foreign material in U.S. soybean shipments. University of Minnesota soybean agronomist Seth Naeve says FM contamination begins on the farm. “Storage purposes and pricing purposes for FM; weed seed from a weed…

The Canadian National Railway is crediting an increase in grain shipments for its stronger fourth quarter profits. The income was at $803 million in U.S. currency, up from $631 million one year ago.

Heliae Agriculture is introducing a new seed treatment formulation called PhycoTerra ST. This product adds a microbial food source around each seed, enhancing the relationship between the seed and soil microbes.

A new study highlights the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of corn ethanol. Scientists from Harvard, Tufts University and Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., published a report looking at ethanol’s carbon footprint, noting the benefits are undervalued, because too many regulatory…

A correction lower in the grain markets is challenging bullish trend lines. StoneX market analyst Phillip Claussen says up trends are still in place, but just barely. “From a technical standpoint, we’re still holding onto the bullish trendline, but we’re…

In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Market, Advance Trading Risk Management Advisor Tommy Grisafi says the fundamentals remain strong. However, there are concerns after last week’s selloff.

A strike by independent truckers has shut down activity at two key Argentine ports. The truckers’ union is demanding higher freight rates, road improvements and additional security for drivers. Grain exports were interrupted earlier this month when port workers went…

In USDA’s annual Crop Production Summary, the average canola yield was increased, matching the highest average yield for North Dakota on record. Learn more from Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman in the Canola Minute.

American Crystal Sugar Company sugarbeet stock continued to trend slightly higher last week. According to Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke, 120 shares were brokered last week for an average price of $3,784.38 per share.

The dry bean markets look much different compared to last year at this time, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic. Seasonally, there hasn’t been as much of a price recovery in the navy bean market when compared to the pinto…

Total Farm Marketing market advisor John Heinberg is not sure if we’re seeing a new higher trading range for the grains. “The export side should stay fairly active into the spring,” says Heinberg. “For soybeans, we need to start rationing…

Half of the Midwestern farmers surveyed in the Farmer Speaks study said they were somewhat optimistic or very optimistic about 2021. That’s double from what it was last year at this time. In a webinar organized by J.L. Farmakis, Indiana…

The Canadian National Railway is crediting an increase in grain shipments for its stronger fourth quarter profits. The income was at $803 million in U.S. currency, up from $631 million one year ago.

Heliae Agriculture is introducing a new seed treatment formulation called PhycoTerra ST. This product adds a microbial food source around each seed, enhancing the relationship between the seed and soil microbes.

Archer Daniels Midland is reporting quarterly net income of $687 million. That compares to $504 million one year ago. Strong export volume, especially with China, was positive news for the ag services and oilseeds division. Tight soybean supplies also resulted…

A year ago, commodity markets were stagnant and many farmers still had corn standing. AgCentric Executive Director Keith Olander says the situation is entirely different this year. Farm income has been given a boost from better markets and government payments.…

A South Dakotan has been selected to lead USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations. Heather Dawn Thompson is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who works on American Indian law and tribal agriculture issues at a Washington, D.C. law…

Ag Processing Incorporated has announced Iowa farmer Lowell Wilson is the new board chairman. Wilson has been on the AGP board since 1985 and has been its vice chairman since 1995. The retired general manager for Western-Consolidated Cooperative in Holloway,…

China and other export partners are demanding less foreign material in U.S. soybean shipments. University of Minnesota soybean agronomist Seth Naeve says FM contamination begins on the farm. “Storage purposes and pricing purposes for FM; weed seed from a weed…

American Crystal Sugar Company sugarbeet stock continued to trend slightly higher last week. According to Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke, 120 shares were brokered last week for an average price of $3,784.38 per share.

Presenting at the On-Farm Research Summit, University of Minnesota soil scientist Dan Kaiser updated attendees on the potassium fertility guidelines for corn. Potassium fertility is a complex discussion. “If you look at a lot of our historical trials, many have…

The Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council’s On-Farm Research Summit focused on 2020’s research trial results. On-Farm Research Network Coordinator Melissa Carlson says the checkoff funded trials look at large on-farm trials. “Typically, university research is done in small plot…

The Northern Plains is starting the year in drought conditions. Nutrien Ag Solutions Principal Atmospheric Scientist Eric Snodgrass is closely watching the dryness and spring weather forecast. “If I was a farmer along the Red River Valley, it’s unfortunate to…

During Tuesday’s virtual Wild World of Weeds Workshop, NDSU Extension Weed Specialist Joe Ikley took a closer look at Palmer amaranth. “We found additional counties in 2020 with Palmer amaranth. Many of them are linked to contaminated cattle feed. We…

Brazil’s peak soybean harvest is coming up in the next few weeks. Any major delays in harvest will impact the Safrina corn crop. Optimum yields can disappear once corn planting stretches past the third week in February. World Weather Incorporated…

U.S. milk production topped 18 billion pounds in December. That’s up more than three percent from December of 2019. Minnesota milk output is up five percent. Cow numbers total 455,000 head, up 10,000 head from last year. South Dakota milk…

A Livestock Dealer Trust was established in the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last month. This gives unpaid sellers of livestock additional protection, but it only applies if the entity being sold to is a livestock dealer. “As long…

There are opportunities in livestock development, and a solid plan will pay dividends. Ty Eschenbaum with A-1 Development Solutions said the first key to success is to define your goals. “If you’ve already taken your current resources into account and…

The lack of transparency in the wool market has created problems determining wool prices for USDA loan prepayment rates and subsequent Loan Deficiency Payment rates. Montevideo, Minnesota sheep producer Bob Padula says confidentiality rules are one of the issues. “If…

As farmers and ranchers know all too well, Mother Nature is very unpredictable. However, there are safety net programs in place to help alleviate any losses that result. Thursday evening, the Minnesota Farm Service Agency, in conjunction with the Minnesota…

Feeder cattle continue to move through auction barns across the Northern Plains. There is good demand for high quality, long-time weaned calves with moderate flesh condition. Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange at Dickinson, North Dakota had approximately 3,000 head at Thursday’s sale.…

What do NASCAR and beef have in common? Learn more from Minnesota Beef Council Director of Industry Relations Royalee Rhoads in this edition of the Minnesota Beef Update.

Ag Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack has a confirmation hearing scheduled with the Senate Agriculture Committee next week. The hearing will be Tuesday, February 2 starting at 9:30 a.m. central time. This will be one of the first steps in the…

North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven helped introduce a resolution to uphold the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule replaced the Waters of the United States rule, which challenged property owners who would have faced new…

A new study highlights the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of corn ethanol. Scientists from Harvard, Tufts University and Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., published a report looking at ethanol’s carbon footprint, noting the benefits are undervalued, because too many regulatory…

The Minnesota Agriculture Department’s budget proposal has a three-percent (about $4 million) increase from the previous biennium. With the additional funds, Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says the department wants to build on two areas, starting with a $4 million…

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz released a $52 billion budget proposal for the 2022 – 2023 biennium. The proposal would raise taxes for corporations and the wealthy. It emphasizes small business support in COVID and provides an increase in the general…

The incoming Commerce Secretary plans to take an aggressive stance against China’s trade practices. Secretary-nominee Gina Raimondo testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, saying the Biden Administration will take a hard line against unfair trade practices. The Commerce Department helps…

A grain inspection bill has passed in the North Dakota House. This bill includes financial standards and licensing rules for grain buyers and ag processors. This bill will move to the Senate after crossover.