- WOTUS: An Existential Crisis for North Dakota
- Divided Government Influences Legislative Agenda
- EWG Database Described as ‘Misleading’
- More Aggressive Approach Expected With China
- Reference Price Increase Dependent on Financial Resources
- EWG Highlights Lenders in Latest Farm Payment Database
- A Threat to National Security
- All Top Stories
WOTUS: An Existential Crisis for North Dakota
North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong says the Waters of the United States rule is detrimental to the farmers and ranchers in the Northern Plains. “It’s an existential crisis to North Dakota. Every single ag producer and every single cattle rancher know…
Divided Government Influences Legislative Agenda
The Republicans have a slim nine-vote margin in the House. In the Senate, the Democrats have a two-vote majority. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was asked how big issues, like immigration or…
EWG Database Described as ‘Misleading’
The Environmental Working Group’s so-called Farm Subsidy Database has been highlighting farm program payments since 1995. Rather than releasing the names of all farmers receiving payments, USDA now lists the lender. AgCountry Farm Credit Services President and CEO Marc Knisely…
More Aggressive Approach Expected With China
With the Air Force declaring Fufeng USA a national security threat, the proposed Grand Forks project will likely not happen. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer said Fufeng has become “a flashpoint,”…
Reference Price Increase Dependent on Financial Resources
Budget resources are expected to be limited going into the farm bill debate. At the same time, the economics have changed in farming and ranching. South Dakota Senator John Thune said agriculture is asking for an increase in reference prices.…
EWG Highlights Lenders in Latest Farm Payment Database
The Environmental Working Group is out with its latest farm subsidy database. Rather than releasing the names of farmers receiving government payments, USDA is now releasing the name of the bank or financial institution financing the farm’s operating loan. EWG…
A Threat to National Security
The U.S. Air Force considers the proposed Fufeng corn wet milling project in Grand Forks to be “a significant threat to national security.” The Fufeng Group is a Chinese-owned food manufacturing company that purchased 370 acres of land 12 miles…
U.S. Wheat Associates Elects ’23-’24 Officer Team
East Grand Forks farmer Rhonda Larson will be succeeded by Oklahoma farmer Michael Peters as chairperson of U.S. Wheat Associates. Larson will turn over the leadership of the group at the U.S. Wheat Associates board meeting in Minneapolis in July.…
A Resilient Beef Industry
Davenport, North Dakota rancher Travis Maddock is a member of Beef Promotion Operating Committee and says a declining cow herd and inflation will influence beef checkoff resources. “I challenged our contractors, you better come in with some good projects because there’s…
North Dakota Legislative Report
House Agriculture Committee Chair Paul Thomas introduced HB 1423. “The emphasis with this bill is to improve upon relationships between counties, townships and private landowners.” Listen to the weekly North Dakota Legislative Report for more details.
An Opportunity for Legislation That Everybody Needs
Neither party has an overwhelming majority in Congress. Minnesota Representative Michelle Fischbach sees a silver lining to the situation. “I see it as an opportunity because I think then you’re going to get bills that reflect what everybody needs and what…
WOTUS: An Existential Crisis for North Dakota
North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong says the Waters of the United States rule is detrimental to the farmers and ranchers in the Northern Plains. “It’s an existential crisis to North Dakota. Every single ag producer and every single cattle rancher know…
A Farm Bill Extension Likely
The current farm program expires at the end of September. Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers President Mike Gunderson doubts if a new farm bill can be passed by that time. “More than likely, it looks like it’s going to have to…
Divided Government Influences Legislative Agenda
The Republicans have a slim nine-vote margin in the House. In the Senate, the Democrats have a two-vote majority. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was asked how big issues, like immigration or…
A Resilient Beef Industry
Davenport, North Dakota rancher Travis Maddock is a member of Beef Promotion Operating Committee and says a declining cow herd and inflation will influence beef checkoff resources. “I challenged our contractors, you better come in with some good projects because there’s…
Market Development Funds Sought
All commodities rely on USDA Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program funding to expand trade. Approximately $200 million is available each year. “It’s a very small share of the overall farm bill budget, but critically important for us as…
Brazilian Ethanol Tariff Returns
Brazil is implementing a 16 percent tariff on ethanol imports until the end of the year. That tax will increase to 18 percent next year. The Renewable Fuels Association is disappointed, saying the U.S. and Brazil should be working together…
Cattle Inventory Down Three Percent
The U.S. cattle inventory totaled 89.3 million had on January one, three percent below one year ago. Beef cow numbers were down four percent while the number of dairy cows was up slightly. The USDA survey is conducted each January…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson remains optimistic about the soybean market, especially, in light of recent Argentine rains. The value of the U.S. dollar is seeing…
Grain Logistics Improve, Challenges Remain
After poor performance in 2022, rail service is improving with increased grain carloads and train speeds. However, the USDA Grain Transportation Report says the number of unfilled grain cars is record high. Barge rates and freight rates have fallen in…
Seeking Consensus on Federal Orders
If the International Dairy Foods Association and National Milk Producers Federation can not come to terms on Federal Milk Marketing Order reform in the next month, IDFA will submit its own proposal to USDA. The two groups have been meeting…
- U.S. Wheat Associates Elects ’23-’24 Officer Team
- North Dakota Legislative Report
- CP-KCS Merger Decision Coming Soon
- SD Ranch Competing from National Environmental Stewardship Award
- From Doosan to DEVELON
- Record Revenue and Income for CNH Industrial
- Corteva Enjoys Double-Digit Sales Growth
- All Ag Business
U.S. Wheat Associates Elects ’23-’24 Officer Team
East Grand Forks farmer Rhonda Larson will be succeeded by Oklahoma farmer Michael Peters as chairperson of U.S. Wheat Associates. Larson will turn over the leadership of the group at the U.S. Wheat Associates board meeting in Minneapolis in July.…
North Dakota Legislative Report
House Agriculture Committee Chair Paul Thomas introduced HB 1423. “The emphasis with this bill is to improve upon relationships between counties, townships and private landowners.” Listen to the weekly North Dakota Legislative Report for more details.
CP-KCS Merger Decision Coming Soon
The Surface Transportation Board Office of Environmental Analysis has released the final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed merger of the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads. The STB is expected to make its final decision on the merger…
SD Ranch Competing from National Environmental Stewardship Award
Jorgensen Land and Cattle Company of Ideal, South Dakota is one of seven regional award winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award. A national winner will be announced during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Legislative Conference in April.
From Doosan to DEVELON
The company behind the Bobcat brand is going through a name change. Doosan will now be known as DEVELON. A name change has been in the works since August of 2021 when Doosan Infracore was sold to HD Hyundai.
Record Revenue and Income for CNH Industrial
CNH Industrial reports record net income of $592 million for 2022, up from $464 million in the previous year. Agriculture sales were up nearly 30 percent due to higher sales volume and a favorable price situation. In North America, sales…
Corteva Enjoys Double-Digit Sales Growth
In its year-end report, Corteva Agriscience net sales rose 11 percent from one year ago. Seed sales grew seven percent with notable gains in Latin American corn and North American soybeans. The results were partially offset by a reduction in…
Carbon-Free by ’40
Minnesota is on the path for 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040. The bill passed with a one-vote margin in the state senate. They House passed a similar bill last week. If signed by Governor Walz, Minnesota utility companies must…
Record High Flour Production Recorded
U.S. wheat flour production reached an all-time high in 2022 according to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service. Flour production topped 430 million hundredweight. Nine million hundredweight more than 2021. 2022 wheat grind was up 1.7 percent to 929 million bushels.
Dry Bean Scene
Northarvest’ s Executive Director Mitch Coulter is a new member of the Rural Leadership Council. NDSU Extension Rural Leadership Program Director Katie Tyler joins us to talk about the Rural Leadership Council and the importance of commodity group support in…
A Terrible Year
World Weather Incorporated Senior Agriculture Meteorologist Drew Lerner is painting a bleak picture for the Argentine crop. “They’ve had a terrible year with a lot of drought and poor potential yield. The early crop was much smaller due to the…
MN Wheat Minute
The National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates are holding their annual meeting in Washington D.C. Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers CEO Charlie Vogel talks about setting priorities in this week’s Minnesota Wheat Minute.
NDSU Forecasts Commodity Prices
NDSU Extension has released its 2023 short-term and long-term planning price projections. Farm Management Specialist Ron Haugen says commodity prices remain positive. “Spring wheat is projected to be about $8 per bushel, corn at $5.25 and soybeans at $12.25 per…
Corn Matters
The Soil Health Grant program deadline is Monday, February 6, 2023. Hear more from Minnesota Corn Growers Association past president Bryan Biegler in the latest Corn Matters.
A Resilient Beef Industry
Davenport, North Dakota rancher Travis Maddock is a member of Beef Promotion Operating Committee and says a declining cow herd and inflation will influence beef checkoff resources. “I challenged our contractors, you better come in with some good projects because there’s…
SD Ranch Competing from National Environmental Stewardship Award
Jorgensen Land and Cattle Company of Ideal, South Dakota is one of seven regional award winners of the Environmental Stewardship Award. A national winner will be announced during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Legislative Conference in April.
NDSU Forecasts Commodity Prices
NDSU Extension has released its 2023 short-term and long-term planning price projections. Farm Management Specialist Ron Haugen says commodity prices remain positive. “Spring wheat is projected to be about $8 per bushel, corn at $5.25 and soybeans at $12.25 per…
MN Beef Update
Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association President-Elect Jake Thompson discusses leadership shifts in the latest Minnesota Beef Update.
LMA Applauds A-PLUS Act
A bill has been introduced in Congress that would allow livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional meatpackers. Livestock Marketing Association Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Chelsea Good says the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in…
Utilizing Carbon Demand
Sustainability was a big topic of conversation at the National Cattlemen’s Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Speaking on a sustainability panel, G. Kee Jim Farms President Kee Jim says carbon credit programs will only grow with time. “We’ve been very…
Improving Transparency
USDA has launched the Cattle Contract Library Pilot Program. South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson introduced the Cattle Contract Library Act in 2021 and called the program “a step in the right direction to improve our cattle market and transparency for…
North Dakota Legislative Report
House Agriculture Committee Chair Paul Thomas introduced HB 1423. “The emphasis with this bill is to improve upon relationships between counties, townships and private landowners.” Listen to the weekly North Dakota Legislative Report for more details.
An Opportunity for Legislation That Everybody Needs
Neither party has an overwhelming majority in Congress. Minnesota Representative Michelle Fischbach sees a silver lining to the situation. “I see it as an opportunity because I think then you’re going to get bills that reflect what everybody needs and what…
WOTUS: An Existential Crisis for North Dakota
North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong says the Waters of the United States rule is detrimental to the farmers and ranchers in the Northern Plains. “It’s an existential crisis to North Dakota. Every single ag producer and every single cattle rancher know…
A Farm Bill Extension Likely
The current farm program expires at the end of September. Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers President Mike Gunderson doubts if a new farm bill can be passed by that time. “More than likely, it looks like it’s going to have to…
Divided Government Influences Legislative Agenda
The Republicans have a slim nine-vote margin in the House. In the Senate, the Democrats have a two-vote majority. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was asked how big issues, like immigration or…
Crop Insurance, Crop Insurance, Crop Insurance
Crookston farmer Tim Dufault represented Minnesota at the Wheat Industry Winter Conference in Washington, D.C. RRFN asked Dufault about the wheat industry’s focus for the farm bill? “Crop insurance, crop insurance, crop insurance,” was the reply. “We’ve got away from other…
Market Development Funds Sought
All commodities rely on USDA Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program funding to expand trade. Approximately $200 million is available each year. “It’s a very small share of the overall farm bill budget, but critically important for us as…