A Week of Action
The National Farmers Union is on Capitol Hill this week for what is billed ‘a week of action.’ Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Anne Schwagerl is part of the delegation that will be meeting with lawmakers this week. “We’re planting right…
Thykeson, Campbell, Blomgren Appointed
USDA has announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for Farm Service Agency and Rural Development state directors. In North Dakota, Brad Thykeson has been reinstated as FSA State Director and Tom Campbell was selected to lead the Rural Development…
Farmers Gear Up for Spring Planting
NDSU Extension Agent Michelle Gilley says field conditions in Eddy County are great and farmers are ready to get the tractors rolling. “It’s starting to dry out enough to plant. The flatter fields are still a little bit ponded, but…
Minnesota Pork Board Launches ‘Activate’ Leadership Program
The Minnesota Pork Board announced the launch of a new leadership development program called Activate. “Participants in the Activate program will focus on five key areas,” said Kate Maddock, sustainability outreach coordinator. “Those are hands-on training within advocacy, communications, relationship…
An Easy Calving Season
Mild spring weather has been good for calving season. “Up in my neck of the woods, we’re kind of begging for little moisture, but as far as the calving season itself, it’s been pleasant,” said North Dakota Stockman’s Association President…
Soy-Based Foam Offers Safer Firefighting Option
A new product is helping local fire departments fight fires by replacing harmful ‘forever chemicals’ with ones that are safer for both people and the environment. United Soybean Board Past Chairman Steve Reinhard says SoyFoam is gaining popularity, and its…
Alfalfa Sees Jump Start from Spring Rain
South Dakota’s drought conditions eased with recent rains. “We’re starting to see our cool-season grasses really green up where we got some rain, and it also helped push things along with the alfalfa” said Sara Bauder, forage field specialist, SDSU…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In today’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson cites cattle as the one bright spot in the markets. “We continue to see new all-time contract highs on a weekly basis,…
Too Wet and Cold
Most of the fields in North Dakota’s Wells and Eddy counties remain untouched. Donny Allmaras, who is in the Bremen/New Rockford area, says it has been too wet. “It’s also been pretty cold for those crops,” said Allmaras. “During the day,…
Farming Against the Elements
Rhonda Larson, who farms north of East Grand Forks, was able to make significant headway in seeding wheat. “We’ve got about 800 acres of wheat in because that’s easier to plant than beets when conditions aren’t exactly perfect,” said Larson.…
An Update From SE ND
Wet weather early in the week slowed planting progress in parts of North Dakota’s Cass County, but Hefty Seed agronomist Jordan Swanson said the moisture was welcome. “The wheat and sugarbeets are in around the area and we have a…
Roads, Bridges and 80 MPH-Oh, My!
A total of $570 million has been approved for county, municipal and township roads and bridges in North Dakota. The legislative session also included a bump in the speed limit for interstate driving to 80 miles per hour. The bill…
Legislative Session Wraps Up
The North Dakota Legislature adjourned just after 4 AM Saturday. Seventy-four of the 80 available legislative days were used. That leaves six days if lawmakers need to return to Bismarck to complete any unfinished business.
A Week of Action
The National Farmers Union is on Capitol Hill this week for what is billed ‘a week of action.’ Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Anne Schwagerl is part of the delegation that will be meeting with lawmakers this week. “We’re planting right…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In today’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson cites cattle as the one bright spot in the markets. “We continue to see new all-time contract highs on a weekly basis,…
Mexico to Surpass Canada as Top Destination for U.S. Ag Commodities
Mexico is expected to become the top destination for U.S. agricultural exports this year. Food and ag exports south of the border rose 65 percent in the past four years. A report from the CoBank Knowledge Exchange said Mexico’s economy…
Trade Negotiations Possible
Early Friday, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said it was open to trade negotiations with the United States. However, if the United States wants to talk trade, China is asking the Trump Administration to demonstrate trust by canceling the new tariffs.…
Perdue Confirmed
The Senate confirmed former Georgia Senator David Perdue to serve as the U.S. ambassador to China. Perdue takes this job as a trade war cranks up between the U.S. and China. Ambassador Perdue is a cousin to former Agriculture Secretary…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in Markets
In today’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says cattle remain a bright spot in the markets. “Rain makes grain” and tnat’s pressuring the wheat market. Click here.
Well Grounded
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…
An Update From SE ND
Wet weather early in the week slowed planting progress in parts of North Dakota’s Cass County, but Hefty Seed agronomist Jordan Swanson said the moisture was welcome. “The wheat and sugarbeets are in around the area and we have a…
Thykeson, Campbell, Blomgren Appointed
USDA has announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for Farm Service Agency and Rural Development state directors. In North Dakota, Brad Thykeson has been reinstated as FSA State Director and Tom Campbell was selected to lead the Rural Development…
Minnesota Pork Board Launches ‘Activate’ Leadership Program
The Minnesota Pork Board announced the launch of a new leadership development program called Activate. “Participants in the Activate program will focus on five key areas,” said Kate Maddock, sustainability outreach coordinator. “Those are hands-on training within advocacy, communications, relationship…
An Easy Calving Season
Mild spring weather has been good for calving season. “Up in my neck of the woods, we’re kind of begging for little moisture, but as far as the calving season itself, it’s been pleasant,” said North Dakota Stockman’s Association President…
Soy-Based Foam Offers Safer Firefighting Option
A new product is helping local fire departments fight fires by replacing harmful ‘forever chemicals’ with ones that are safer for both people and the environment. United Soybean Board Past Chairman Steve Reinhard says SoyFoam is gaining popularity, and its…
Rollins Praises Budget Plan
After President Trump submitted his budget proposal to Congress, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a statement saying her boss is putting the country on a path to reducing the deficit and lowering the national debt. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity…
Canola Minute
In the Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Executive Director Barry Coleman highlights the recent producer roundtable hosted by North Dakota Senator John Hoeven and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Misinformation about seed oils were discussed. Listen.
Too Wet and Cold
Most of the fields in North Dakota’s Wells and Eddy counties remain untouched. Donny Allmaras, who is in the Bremen/New Rockford area, says it has been too wet. “It’s also been pretty cold for those crops,” said Allmaras. “During the day,…
Farming Against the Elements
Rhonda Larson, who farms north of East Grand Forks, was able to make significant headway in seeding wheat. “We’ve got about 800 acres of wheat in because that’s easier to plant than beets when conditions aren’t exactly perfect,” said Larson.…
An Update From SE ND
Wet weather early in the week slowed planting progress in parts of North Dakota’s Cass County, but Hefty Seed agronomist Jordan Swanson said the moisture was welcome. “The wheat and sugarbeets are in around the area and we have a…
Farmers Gear Up for Spring Planting
NDSU Extension Agent Michelle Gilley says field conditions in Eddy County are great and farmers are ready to get the tractors rolling. “It’s starting to dry out enough to plant. The flatter fields are still a little bit ponded, but…
Soy-Based Foam Offers Safer Firefighting Option
A new product is helping local fire departments fight fires by replacing harmful ‘forever chemicals’ with ones that are safer for both people and the environment. United Soybean Board Past Chairman Steve Reinhard says SoyFoam is gaining popularity, and its…
Alfalfa Sees Jump Start from Spring Rain
South Dakota’s drought conditions eased with recent rains. “We’re starting to see our cool-season grasses really green up where we got some rain, and it also helped push things along with the alfalfa” said Sara Bauder, forage field specialist, SDSU…
Sugarbeet Report
In this week’s Sugarbeet Report, we get a planting update from American Crystal Sugar Company, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative and Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. All three cooperatives enjoyed excellent planting progress in April. Click here.
Minnesota Pork Board Launches ‘Activate’ Leadership Program
The Minnesota Pork Board announced the launch of a new leadership development program called Activate. “Participants in the Activate program will focus on five key areas,” said Kate Maddock, sustainability outreach coordinator. “Those are hands-on training within advocacy, communications, relationship…
An Easy Calving Season
Mild spring weather has been good for calving season. “Up in my neck of the woods, we’re kind of begging for little moisture, but as far as the calving season itself, it’s been pleasant,” said North Dakota Stockman’s Association President…
Alfalfa Sees Jump Start from Spring Rain
South Dakota’s drought conditions eased with recent rains. “We’re starting to see our cool-season grasses really green up where we got some rain, and it also helped push things along with the alfalfa” said Sara Bauder, forage field specialist, SDSU…
Price-Fixing Settlement
Three major pork companies have settled a price-fixing lawsuit. If the settlement is approved, Tyson Foods will pay $50 million, Clemens Food Group will pay $10 million and Triumph Foods will pay $4 million. A class action antitrust lawsuit was…
Gene-Edited Pigs Gain FDA Approval
The Food and Drug Administration has approved gene-editing technology to make pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. The swine genetics firm, PIC, is the first company to receive this approval. PRRS has a $1.2 billion impact on the…
Tariff Strategy Forces a Pivot for Smithfield Foods
Due to the trade war, the world’s #1 pork buyer is no longer a destination for U.S. pork. With tariffs of 145 percent, Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith said China is not a viable market. Smith said that has forced…
MN Beef Update
In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt recaps the FACS to the MAX event in Mankato. Local education grants are also available. Here’s the report.
Roads, Bridges and 80 MPH-Oh, My!
A total of $570 million has been approved for county, municipal and township roads and bridges in North Dakota. The legislative session also included a bump in the speed limit for interstate driving to 80 miles per hour. The bill…
A Week of Action
The National Farmers Union is on Capitol Hill this week for what is billed ‘a week of action.’ Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Anne Schwagerl is part of the delegation that will be meeting with lawmakers this week. “We’re planting right…
Thykeson, Campbell, Blomgren Appointed
USDA has announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for Farm Service Agency and Rural Development state directors. In North Dakota, Brad Thykeson has been reinstated as FSA State Director and Tom Campbell was selected to lead the Rural Development…
Rollins Praises Budget Plan
After President Trump submitted his budget proposal to Congress, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a statement saying her boss is putting the country on a path to reducing the deficit and lowering the national debt. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity…
Trump Budget Recommendations Released
The White House has released its budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026. For USDA, the Trump Administration cuts $754 million in discretionary funding for conservation technical assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The budget calls for $358 million in…
Many Moving Parts in ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
Minnesota Representative Michelle Fischbach is a Ways and Means Committee member and is focused on the tax provisions in the budget reconciliation process. She wants the estate tax and biofuel provisions, like 45Z, to remain in the bill. Another priority…
Property Tax Relief Approved
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong signed a property tax relief bill Saturday. “We thank the Legislature for advancing a bill with meaningful tax relief and reform,” said Armstrong. The bill increases the existing primary residence property tax credit from $500…
