Policy Articles
MN Farmer Sentenced to Prison for USDA Loan Fraud
Published April 5, 2022
A Slayton, Minnesota farmer has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, three years of supervised release and over $435,000 in restitution. In 2015, Mark Engelkes pledged a portion of his soybean crop as collateral for a farm program loan.…Seeking an End to Permanent Land Easements
Published April 5, 2022
North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds have introduced the Landowner Easement Rights Act. This bill would prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from entering into a conservation easement with a term…R-CALF Urges Congress to Table Market Transparency Bill
Published April 5, 2022
While a modified cattle market transparency bill is gaining traction in Congress, R-CALF USA is asking lawmakers to table the legislation. R-CALF says the compromise bill is a “woefully inadequate response” to the crisis in the cattle industry.Clean Fuels Podcast: New Technology Allows Integration of Ethanol into Existing Diesel Engines
Published April 4, 2022
ClearFlame Engine Technologies has developed engine technology that allows heavy-duty trucks and diesel-driven farm equipment to operate on 100 percent plant-based fuel. ClearFlame CEO BJ Johnson is part of the latest Clean Fuels Podcast and highlights this unique engine technology. CleanFlame has…Renewable Diesel Industry Expected to Double
Published April 4, 2022
Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen says there’s big growth potential for renewable diesel. "We see an industry that is going to more than double in the next five to six years. It will go from a three billion…U.S. Potato Industry Wants Action on Mexico’s Fresh Market Accesss
Published April 4, 2022
The U.S. potato industry continues to monitor fresh market access in Mexico. Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said the Mexican potato market will open, as long as U.S. fresh potato growers comply with sanitary guidelines. According to the…Vilsack Travels to Mexico
Published April 4, 2022
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is traveling to Mexico this week. The secretary is in Mexico today and tomorrow, but the agenda is unclear. According to Agri-Pulse, the visit comes as the Biden administration pushes Mexico to remove barriers to biotech…Drought Relief Bill is Still Relevant
Published April 4, 2022
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says the drought assistance legislation moving through the legislature is not too late for Minnesota farmers and ranchers. "We know this was a heavy hit that people are still reeling from." The relief goes to drought-stricken…Two New Meat Processing Education Programs Start in Minnesota
Published April 4, 2022
With the demand for small, locally-owned meat processing, new training opportunities are surfacing. AgCentric Executive Director Keith Olander says there’s only six programs in the entire country at a technical level that offer meat processing education, including two new programs…