Policy Articles
A Long Term Investment
Published March 21, 2024
For the 25th year, the Red River Watershed Management Board and Flood Damage Reduction Work Group hosted a joint conference. RRWMB Executive Director Rob Sip provided a legislative update. "We are requesting $57 million in bonding dollars for flood mitigation,"…Antitrust Allegations Levied Against Sugar Producers
Published March 21, 2024
A coalition of bakeries and a restaurant group filed a class-action lawsuit against sugar producers including United Sugar Producers and Refiners Cooperative. American Crystal Sugar Company and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative are among the members of United Sugar. The federal lawsuit…Emission Standards Tighten
Published March 21, 2024
The White House is out with new rules for tailpipe emissions for most cars and pickup trucks purchased between 2027 and 2032. To meet these standards, 30-to-40 percent of all light vehicles sold in 2030 will need to be electric.…Requirements for ND Cattle/Bison Imports Updated
Published March 20, 2024
The North Dakota Board of Animal Health has officially recognized states that are recognized as free of bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Dough Goehring said this status will…Stabenow Pushes Back
Published March 20, 2024
After months of work on the farm bill, Democrats and Republicans remain stuck on key provisions of the bill. House Republicans are seeking cuts to nutrition and conservation spending. However, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow continues to say that…USDA Leader Remains Optimistic About Farm Finances
Published March 20, 2024
Earlier this year, USDA projected a 24 percent decline in annual net farm income. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack remains hopeful the situation will improve. "Oftentimes, that first projection is quite pessimistic and I'm hopeful that we'll see an uptick over the…Ag Committee Briefed on Soil Health Bill
Published March 20, 2024
Northfield Representative Kristi Pursell is sponsoring this bill that promotes regenerative agriculture practices, such as cover crops and no-till farming. "This is focusing for the first time as a pilot project in the southeast Karst Region of state; the idea is…Climate Smart Program Pays Eco-Friendly Farmers
Published March 19, 2024
USDA is rewarding farmers for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. At the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, Minnesota Milk CEO Lucas Sjostrom said Midwest dairy farms are eligible for these funds. "We have $50 million available for farmers in…Ag Comittee Considers Additional AGRI Funds
Published March 19, 2024
The Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a bill to increase funding for the state’s Agricultural, Growth, and Innovation program. AGRI supports numerous programs, including biofuels infrastructure, crop research, meat processing and county fair grants. Without this funding bump, Minnesota Department of…