Policy Articles
Seeking More Competition
Published January 27, 2023
South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson has reintroduced two bills to increase competition in the cattle packing business. This proposal allows for the financing of cooperative stock for producer-owned processing facilities and establishes a grant program to assist with new construction…Tax Fairness Act Introduced
Published January 27, 2023
Four Democratic members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, including Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, have introduced a bill to remove the tax liability for distressed farm borrowers that are at financial risk. The proposal also addresses financial assistance for black farmers…Correction
Published January 27, 2023
In last week's edition of FarmNetNews, there was a story about soybean reference prices with an inaccurate acreage number. The story should read 30 million acres of soybeans were grown last year that were not covered by ARC and PLC.MCGA Focuses on Educating Legislative Leaders
Published January 26, 2023
Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Richard Syverson says educating new legislators is a top priority. "We've had a lot of work to do just with education. Minnesota House Agriculture Committee Chair Samantha Vang and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam…Putnam Appreciates Walz Budget Plan for Agriculture
Published January 26, 2023
Minnesota lawmakers are scrutinizing all aspects of the governor’s budget proposal. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam like what he is seeing in the agriculture budget. "One of the things I've heard from a lot of farmers in the budget is…HB 1436 Seeks Changes in ND Beef Checkoff
Published January 26, 2023
Two bills dealing with the makeup of the North Dakota Beef Commission dominated the House Agriculture Committee schedule Thursday. Sioux County rancher Frank Tomec testified in favor of a bill that would open up the state beef checkoff program to…Difficult Decisions for NDSU Ag College
Published January 26, 2023
Due to budget concerns, North Dakota State University is scaling down from seven academic colleges to five. NDSU Vice President of Agricultural Affairs Greg Lardy says the merger plan has little impact the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural…Courts to Review Subtherapeutic Antibiotic Use for Livestock
Published January 26, 2023
Environmental and health groups have gone to the courts to ask the Food and Drug Administration reconsider rules that allow farmers and ranchers to administer subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics to livestock. The Natural Resource Defense Council, Public Citizen and other…Fertilizer Bill Heard in Bismarck
Published January 26, 2023
House Bill 1369 would transfer $500 million from North Dakota’s Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to the Fertilizer Development Fund. The goal is for the state to incentivize a plant to convert natural gas to nitrogen fertilizer. Agriculture Commissioner Doug…