Latest News Articles
Smithfield Closing Raises Questions About Food Security
Published April 17, 2020
In a podcast produced by Roll Call, South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson outlined the current shutdown of the Sioux Falls pork processing plant. Johnson was asked about possible food shortages with closures like this one. "We don't have shortages now…China’s GDP Takes a Historic Drop
Published April 17, 2020
China’s Gross National Product declined 6.8 percent in the first quarter. That’s the first time China’s economy got smaller since it started reporting GDP data in 1992. Coronavirus is blamed for the shutdown of most commercial activity during much of…Klobuchar, Hoeven, Thune Appointed to Trump Committee
Published April 17, 2020
President Donald Trump has appointed members to his Opening Up America Again Congressional Group. This group includes Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven and South Dakota Senator John Thune.U.S. Corn Exports are a Bright Spot
Published April 16, 2020
U.S. grain prices have fallen enough to make them competitive globally. Standard Grain president Joe Vaclavik says corn exports are a bright spot. "While ethanol suffers, we're probably going to see much better corn export demand and demand in the…Paycheck Protection Program Funds Reach Limit
Published April 16, 2020
On Thursday, the Small Business Administration reached the $349 billion lending limit for the Paycheck Protection Program. Small businesses with unprocessed loans will now wait for Congress to approve more funding. Lawmakers are attempting to add $250 billion to the…Small Changes Seen in Ag Credit World During 1Q
Published April 16, 2020
Compared to one year ago, the volume of farm operating loans increased slightly in the first quarter. The quarterly ag finance report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City indicates delinquency rates increased slightly at the end of 2019,…More Corn Acres Could Challenge Prices
Published April 16, 2020
In a new analysis, the American Farm Bureau Federation says U.S. farmers may need to scale back corn acres to support prices. The March USDA Prospective Plantings report is forecasting 97 million corn acres to be planted this year. Farm…Practicing Emotional Resilience During COVID-19
Published April 16, 2020
The current reality of the coronavirus is impacting everyone differently. Some are moving forward with business as usual and others are feeling overwhelmed. According to Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist with Eyes on the Horizon Consulting, emotional resilience…Spring-Like Weather Returning Soon to Northern Plains
Published April 16, 2020
More spring-like weather is in the forecast for the Northern Plains. "It looks like we have a stretch of relatively milder and drier weather. The pattern is shifting," said Mark Ewens, meteorologist, Home On The Prairie Weather. "As we get…