A Fresh Look at the Ag Retailer-Farmer Relationship
Farming has been in a state of constant change since the beginning of time. That evolution includes big farms getting bigger. “The average age of the farmer has actually dropped a little and that’s because of retirements and baby boomers…
Watne Participates in COP28
North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne is in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference. Watne is part of a delegation of rural farm organizations, representing the National Farmers Union. “We can be part of a solution but farmers and…
Oil Price Partially Buffered From Global Events
Global events, such as the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, continue to make headlines. CHS Executive Vice President of Energy Darin Hunhoff said that keeps the market nervous. “Although, not quite as much as it did at one…
Two Consecutive Record Years for CHS
CHS has enjoyed back-to-back record years. The nation’s largest cooperative has returned more than $1.7 billion to its member-owners over two years and more than $3.2 billion over the past ten years. CHS President and CEO Jay Debertin reminds us…
SD Native to Serve as USB CEO
The United Soybean Board will have a new CEO on board at the beginning of the New Year. Former South Dakota Agriculture Secretary Lucas Lentsch succeeds Polly Ruhland, who is retiring. Lentsch is now an executive vice president with Dairy…
A Budget Surplus and a Warning
Minnesota Management and Budget is forecasting the state’s expected budget surplus at $2.4 billion, an increase of $808 million at the end of the 2023 legislative session. Consumer spending and corporate profits were higher than expected. However, MMB warns higher…
ERP Payment Methodology Criticized
Nearly 70 Republican lawmakers have signed off on a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack voicing their disappointment in the methodology used to calculate payments for the 2022 Emergency Relief Program. The ERP program provided farmers with more than 75…
AURI Update
The next episonde AURI’s Ag Innovation News Podcast will be available December 20th and will highlight an inspiring story about a food entrepreneur. Hear more details in this week’s AURI Update.
Dry Bean Scene
In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, Northarvest Bean Growers Association Marketing and Communications Director Jed Brazier previews Bean Day coming up in January at Fargo, North Dakota. The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored by Northarvest Bean Growers Association, Johnstown Bean…
Canola Minute
Here’s the latest Canola Minute from the Northern Canola Growers Association. This week, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman gives an outlook for the Canola Research Conference coming up December 12th.
MN Beef Update
In the latest Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council Director of Industry Relations Jon Dilworth gives details of reimbursement available to educators promoting beef in their classroom.
Corn Matters
U.S. Grains Council Manager of Global Strategies and Trade Alexander Grabois talks about a recent study to look at the quality of U.S. corn in terms of feed efficiency in poultry. Hear more in the latest Corn Matters, brought to…
Farming for the Future
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Red River Farm Network and the Linder Farm Network on Farming for the Future, providing information of soil health events and topics. This week, regenerative farmer Mickayla Tabert talks about her…
SD Corn Comments
In this week’s edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, South Dakota Corn Executive Director DaNita Murray provides a Farm Bill FYI.
An Historic Time for Soybean Demand
Former BUNGE Procurement Director Gordon Denny joined the latest Minnesota CropCast, produced by the University of Minnesota Extension to discuss the outlook of soybean demand. Denny says now is an historic time for soybean demand. “I have never seen so…
Shift in ND Soybean Marketing
North Dakota Soybean Council Director of Market Development Jena Bjertness says the main customer for North Dakota soybeans has changed from the whole bean buyer in China. With new crush facilities coming on line in the state, about half of…
Beet Stock Values
A total of 205 American Crystal Sugar Company beet shared were brokered this past week in a range of $5,600-to-$5,800 per share. The average price was $5,616.59 per share. This data is courtesy of Acres and Shares broker Jayson Menke.…
River Shipping Outlook is Not Good
Low water levels on the Mississippi River and through the Panama Canal complicates the movement of grain and farm inputs. CHS Executive Vice President of Ag Retail, Distribution and Transportation Rick Dusek does not see a quick fix. “On the…
Slow and Steady
Reflecting on Friday’s USDA supply/demand report, Walsh Trading market analyst John Weyer said only small changes were made. “Slow and steady as we go toward year’s end and I don’t think this changes too much from where we were before the…
A 2 Million Ton Cut in Brazilian Soybean Production
The most watched number in the December supply and demand report was Brazil’s soybean production estimate. USDA cut in Brazil’s soybean production by 2 million tonnes to 161 million reflecting the hot and dry conditions in southern Mato Grosso and…
No Surprises in Stocks Report
USDA only made minor adjustments to the corn, soybean and wheat ending stocks in Friday’s report. Corn ending stocks were estimated at 2.13 billion bushels, down from 2.16 billion in November. USDA made no changes to U.S. soybean ending stocks…
Corn Matters
U.S. Grains Council Manager of Global Strategies and Trade Alexander Grabois talks about a recent study to look at the quality of U.S. corn in terms of feed efficiency in poultry. Hear more in the latest Corn Matters, brought to…
ASGA Hires VP of Science and Innovation
The American Sugarbeet Growers Association has hired Dr. Nicholas Storer as Vice President of Science and Innovation, a new staff position for the organization. ASGA Vice President Niel Rockstad looks forward to seeing how this new position will advance the…
Highest Tons, Highest Payment
American Crystal Sugar Company celebrated 50 years of business as a cooperative at their annual meeting in Fargo. American Crystal Sugar Company CEO Tom Astrup reflected on the 2023 crop year. “From a crop standpoint, it was really a record…
An Historic Time for Soybean Demand
Former BUNGE Procurement Director Gordon Denny joined the latest Minnesota CropCast, produced by the University of Minnesota Extension to discuss the outlook of soybean demand. Denny says now is an historic time for soybean demand. “I have never seen so…
Renewable Energy Roundtable Talks Hydrogen
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute is hosted their Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable at Sauk Rapids, MN. Minnesota Department of Commerce Assistant Commissioner of Federal and State Initiatives Pete Wyckoff spoke on programs and goals aimed available at hydrogen. “We are…
AgroTech Brings Positive Return on Investment
After their start in 2014, AgroTech USA has been working to find efficiencies for farmers. Co-founder James Paterson says the company is focused on phosphorus deficiency. Higher Ph soils can mean phosphorus is less available to plants. “You may only…
Shift in ND Soybean Marketing
North Dakota Soybean Council Director of Market Development Jena Bjertness says the main customer for North Dakota soybeans has changed from the whole bean buyer in China. With new crush facilities coming on line in the state, about half of…
Highest Tons, Highest Payment
American Crystal Sugar Company celebrated 50 years of business as a cooperative at their annual meeting in Fargo. American Crystal Sugar Company CEO Tom Astrup reflected on the 2023 crop year. “From a crop standpoint, it was really a record…
An Historic Time for Soybean Demand
Former BUNGE Procurement Director Gordon Denny joined the latest Minnesota CropCast, produced by the University of Minnesota Extension to discuss the outlook of soybean demand. Denny says now is an historic time for soybean demand. “I have never seen so…
Tools for Deer Depredation
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Big Game Program Supervisor Barb Keller says deer depredation is a continued issue that the department continues to work on with farmers across the state. “Despite what populations are doing at a larger scale, there…
Drone Tech Provides Leaf Level View
Taranis is partnering with Nutrien to bring drone data directly to producers and crop advisors. Taranis Chief Commercial Officer Mike Dipaola says this technology is a way to continue growth in the agriculture industry. “You can have a leaf level…
A Surprising Harvest Improves Farmer Sentiment
The Purdue University and CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 5 points in November. Purdue University Director of Commercial Agriculture Dr. James Mintert says farmers currently feel better about their current conditions than a year ago. A surprising harvest was…
AgroTech Brings Positive Return on Investment
After their start in 2014, AgroTech USA has been working to find efficiencies for farmers. Co-founder James Paterson says the company is focused on phosphorus deficiency. Higher Ph soils can mean phosphorus is less available to plants. “You may only…
Shift in ND Soybean Marketing
North Dakota Soybean Council Director of Market Development Jena Bjertness says the main customer for North Dakota soybeans has changed from the whole bean buyer in China. With new crush facilities coming on line in the state, about half of…
Filling the Veterinarian Gap in Rural Areas
A shift in herd size and scope of need has caused decreased numbers of food animal veterinarians in rural areas. Many operations can carry out typical care themselves, but it can be difficult to get help in emergency situations. Minnesota…
Paraguay and the Threat of FMD
A new rule from USDA allowing beef imports from Paraguay is being criticized in a letter signed by 21 members of Congress. The lawmakers claim outdated data was used when making this decision and it increases the risk for foot-and-mouth…
Township Officers Explore Animal Agriculture Opportunities
North Dakota Livestock Alliance Executive Director Amber Wood and North Dakota Pork Council Executive Director Tamra Heins briefed members of the North Dakota Township Officers Association Annual Convention in Bismarck this past week. Following the last legislative session, there are…
SDFU Reviews Market Consolidation and Competition
The Biden Administration is striving to improve protections for farmers and ranchers who face predatory and anticompetitive practices by large meatpackers. The South Dakota Farmers Union hosted a panel discussion about market concentration at its annual convention. During that discussion,…
Beet Stock Values
According to Acres & Shares broker, Jayson Menke, 86 American Crystal Sugar Company beet shares were brokered last week at an average price of $5,753 per share. Menke says the number of brokered shares traded is above average through the…
A Hold-Up in Rebuilding the Herd
While the cattle futures market has been under pressure, Kist Livestock Auction field representative Matt Lachenmeier isn’t seeing that with cash market for the cattle coming through the barn. In addition to the drought, Lachenmeier says there are still things…
Year-End Tax Strategies
This is the time to analyze where you sit for the 2023 business year and evaluate finances ahead of tax season. Farm Business Management Instructor Ron Dvergsten says buying equipment can be a good strategy if you can save a…
SD Corn Comments
In this week’s edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, South Dakota Corn Executive Director DaNita Murray provides a Farm Bill FYI.
Kupec Meets With Local Farmers
Minnesota State Senator Rob Kupec met with a group of farmers in Clay County, Minnesota to discuss issues farmers are facing in the area. Kupec says property taxes were of high concern for the group from the Clay County Farm…
RRVSGA to Focus on Farm Bill 2024
Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Director Harrison Weber says they are very focused on working toward a farm bill in 2024. “We know we have that extension, but we want to close the book,” said Weber. “The asks…
Fischbach Testifies On Strengthening Crop Insurance
The House Committee on Agriculture held a “Member Day” hearing this morning. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach testified in support of strengthening the current crop insurance program as a way of saving on ad hoc disaster programs. “I believe there’s an important…
Filling the Veterinarian Gap in Rural Areas
A shift in herd size and scope of need has caused decreased numbers of food animal veterinarians in rural areas. Many operations can carry out typical care themselves, but it can be difficult to get help in emergency situations. Minnesota…
Watne Participates in COP28
North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne is in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference. Watne is part of a delegation of rural farm organizations, representing the National Farmers Union. “We can be part of a solution but farmers and…
A Budget Surplus and a Warning
Minnesota Management and Budget is forecasting the state’s expected budget surplus at $2.4 billion, an increase of $808 million at the end of the 2023 legislative session. Consumer spending and corporate profits were higher than expected. However, MMB warns higher…