The Democrats have flipped the House and the Senate. In the Upper Chamber, a lot of attention has been paid to Democratic wins in Texas, Michigan and Kansas. For agriculture, former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is returning to Congress. With…

Incumbent Brad Finstad, who is a farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, is down by just 324 votes against Democratic newcomer Jake Johnson. All other incumbents won in Minnesota, including Representatives Michelle Fischbach, Pete Stauber and Tom Emmer…

The fall cattle run is hitting its peak across the Northern Plains. Perham Stockyards owner Mitch Barthel says cattle movement is strong as harvest wraps up. “The biggest weeks are right now, the end of October through November, December.” Barthel…

The courts have paused the USDA reorganization plan, but Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden is repeating what Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has said in the past; the process is moving full steam ahead. “The law is on our side,” said Vaden.…

The announcement of the new National FFA officer team was a moment Minnesota’s Cameron Addington will never forget. “When I heard my name called for national secretary, I took off running up towards the stage and as I got closer…

Teagan Erbele is the first North Dakotan to be selected for the National FFA officer team in 25 years. Herbali and her teammates will now oversee the milestone 100th National FFA Convention. goodness. “We feel so honored to get to…

A court decision dealing with the nomination process for the North Dakota Beef Commission continues to generate attention more than a week after the ruling. According to the NDBC Executive Director, Nicole Wardner, the court’s opinion focused on how members…

Nutrien Agronomist Scott Younggren of Hallock says 99 percent of crops are in the bin, while fertilizer applications and tillage have also progressed well. Sugarbeet yields varied widely following a windy spring that forced some farmers to replant as much…

The dry bean harvest is nearly complete across the Northern Plains, but drought and fewer planted acres have reduced overall production. Johnstown Bean Company General Manager Dylan Karley says yields varied widely, with North Dakota averaging an estimated 13 to…

The American Bankers Association Agricultural Bankers Conference is underway in Minneapolis. Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus Dr. David Kohl says Tuesday’s election results could impact agricultural policy and future government payments. Kohl also encourages farmers to evaluate their cash flow as…

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is preparing for another four years in office after defeating challenger Vern Thompson. Goehring says he is ready to move past the election. “Too many distractions are getting away from some of the issues…

Democratic gains in Minnesota’s legislative elections will bring new faces to the State Capitol.  “This is an opportunity for our farmers and ranchers across the state to get out there, engage and meet with their new legislators,” said Loren Dauer,…

Tuesday’s election results are setting the stage for significant changes in Washington’s agricultural leadership. “We could have as many as 150 or more new members of the House and Senate coming in in January,” said Randy Russell, president/CEO, The Russell…

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will succeed retiring Senator Tina Smith in the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican Michelle Tafoya. Flanagan won with 54 percent of the vote compared to Tafoya’s 43 percent. “I can’t quite believe that I am…

The fall cattle run is hitting its peak across the Northern Plains. Perham Stockyards owner Mitch Barthel says cattle movement is strong as harvest wraps up. “The biggest weeks are right now, the end of October through November, December.” Barthel…

In the latest Dry Bean Scene, Grand Forks area farmer Chris Adams, recaps the 2026 dry bean crop and market. Click here. 

Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says most grain markets remain under pressure following a difficult October. “There aren’t many markets right now that are in the hot category,” said Martinson. “Surprisingly, rice continues to be the market that…

President Donald Trump says the United States and Canada are getting closer to a new trade agreement that could benefit American agriculture. Speaking in Dubuque, Iowa, Trump said he has held recent discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump…

A possible strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could disrupt U.S. beef and pork exports. About 250 port security workers are threatening to walk off the job if a new contract is not reached. U.S. Meat…

OPEC and its allies have agreed to keep oil production unchanged in December as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global supplies. The decision comes with crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. Brent crude ended last week…

With the end of October comes the end of the fall crop insurance pricing period. Corn finished the month at $4.75 per bushel. That’s up from $4.62 in the spring. Soybeans were at $12.63 per bushel, which is up from…

The American Bankers Association Agricultural Bankers Conference is underway in Minneapolis. Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus Dr. David Kohl says Tuesday’s election results could impact agricultural policy and future government payments. Kohl also encourages farmers to evaluate their cash flow as…

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is preparing for another four years in office after defeating challenger Vern Thompson. Goehring says he is ready to move past the election. “Too many distractions are getting away from some of the issues…

Tuesday’s election results are setting the stage for significant changes in Washington’s agricultural leadership. “We could have as many as 150 or more new members of the House and Senate coming in in January,” said Randy Russell, president/CEO, The Russell…

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will succeed retiring Senator Tina Smith in the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican Michelle Tafoya. Flanagan won with 54 percent of the vote compared to Tafoya’s 43 percent. “I can’t quite believe that I am…

After a historic sharing of power in the last legislative session, the DFL will take over control of the Minnesota House and Senate. A recount will be needed in Senate District 4, with a four vote margin separating incumbent DFL…

North Dakota recorded its lowest general election voter turnout in 50 years. Secretary of State Michael Howe says just under 40 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s election. That compares to the previous low of 43 percent in…

A new investigation is raising questions about who is funding a campaign opposing the Save Our Bacon provision in the farm bill. The proposal would address California’s Proposition 12 animal housing requirements, which affect pork producers nationwide. RealClearInvestigations reports the…

Nutrien Agronomist Scott Younggren of Hallock says 99 percent of crops are in the bin, while fertilizer applications and tillage have also progressed well. Sugarbeet yields varied widely following a windy spring that forced some farmers to replant as much…

The dry bean harvest is nearly complete across the Northern Plains, but drought and fewer planted acres have reduced overall production. Johnstown Bean Company General Manager Dylan Karley says yields varied widely, with North Dakota averaging an estimated 13 to…

Brazil’s corn and soybean planting is running slightly ahead of normal, but dry conditions remain a concern in northern growing areas. World Weather Incorporated reports planting was about 2 percent ahead of the five year average as of October 30.…

In the latest Dry Bean Scene, Grand Forks area farmer Chris Adams, recaps the 2026 dry bean crop and market. Click here. 

Crop consultant Jason Hanson, who leads Rock and Roll Agronomy, said farmers are applying anhydrous ammonia in the Devils Lake Basin as they take advantage of fertilizer purchases made earlier in the year. Looking ahead to next year’s crop, Hanson…

The October weather influenced the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative harvest. “We actually had a couple of heat shutdowns, and the only way to seem to get away from heat shutdowns is to have a cold front come through,” said…

An unusually strong El Niño could bring a more active weather pattern to the Northern Plains this month. Nutrien Atmospheric Scientist Eric Snodgrass said the strength of this El Niño is unlike anything on record. “There’s no historical precedent to…

With cooler temperatures and weaning season underway, South Dakota State University Extension Cow-Calf Field Specialist Taylor Grussing encourages ranchers to monitor calf health. “Some of those calves might be starting to see some runny noses and need to be monitored.”…

A court decision dealing with the nomination process for the North Dakota Beef Commission continues to generate attention more than a week after the ruling. According to the NDBC Executive Director, Nicole Wardner, the court’s opinion focused on how members…

The Environmental Protection Agency will not finalize the air emissions process included in the 2005 compliance agreement for animal feeding operations and will move to terminate the agreement. The EPA determined the EPA data from 20 years ago was no…

With the U.S. cattle herd at historically low levels, USDA is promoting programs to expand domestic meat processing capacity. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears told the Red River Farm Network there is interest from independent companies…

In an official statement, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association President Tim Erbele said his group respects the judicial process and is pleased the court rejected efforts to invalidate the state beef checkoff program. Erbele said the ruling does not change the…

A North Dakota district judge has removed language from the law governing the nominating process for the North Dakota Beef Commission. Six of the nine members of the beef checkoff board are nominated by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, North…

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has signed an order to increase grazing access and improve range and pastureland health. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council praised the move, saying this streamlined effort will better utilize vacant grazing lands…

Democratic gains in Minnesota’s legislative elections will bring new faces to the State Capitol.  “This is an opportunity for our farmers and ranchers across the state to get out there, engage and meet with their new legislators,” said Loren Dauer,…

Tuesday’s election results are setting the stage for significant changes in Washington’s agricultural leadership. “We could have as many as 150 or more new members of the House and Senate coming in in January,” said Randy Russell, president/CEO, The Russell…

Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has won Minnesota’s governor’s race, defeating Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth. “It is time to move this state forward,” Klobuchar said in her victory remarks. “I’m not interested in moving Minnesota to the left…

President Donald Trump called into Fox News following the election to discuss the results and the possibility of working with Democrats as they prepare to take control of Congress. Trump suggested his administration’s actions involving Iran may have influenced voters.…

The Democrats have flipped the House and the Senate. In the Upper Chamber, a lot of attention has been paid to Democratic wins in Texas, Michigan and Kansas. For agriculture, former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is returning to Congress. With…

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring easily won reelection with a 63-37 margin over Democrat Vern Thompson. Goehring farms at Menoken and has been in office since 2009.

Incumbent Brad Finstad, who is a farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, is down by just 324 votes against Democratic newcomer Jake Johnson. All other incumbents won in Minnesota, including Representatives Michelle Fischbach, Pete Stauber and Tom Emmer…