Policy Articles
MDA Announces Dicamba Restrictions
Published December 22, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is maintaining its state-specific restrictions for dicamba for 2024. Application of the BASF, Syngenta and Bayer dicamba products cannot be made after June 12 south of I-94 and after June 30 north of the interstate.…Biden and Obrador Discuss Border Closures
Published December 22, 2023
Freight remains backed up on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. President Joe Biden and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador spoke by phone Thursday and senior Biden administration officials will travel to Mexico to discuss the border crisis.…Canada’s Dairy Rate Quota Allocations Continue to be an Issue
Published December 21, 2023
Minnesota Representative Michelle Fischbach is one of six lead authors on a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Nearly 60 lawmakers signed this letter voicing disappointment in the recent dispute settlement ruling on…Limited Impact for Northern Plains for Now
Published December 21, 2023
The closing of two international border rail crossings between the U.S. and Mexico has not had much of an impact for the Northern Plains yet. North Dakota Grain Dealers Association Executive Vice President Stu Letcher says that will change if…Custom Harvesters Worry Over H-2A Rules
Published December 21, 2023
Finding labor is the biggest challenge faced by members of U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc. USCHI Secretary Mark Anderson points to the struggles with the H-2A program. “We’re running into a lot of regulatory issues there,” said Anderson. “We’re either going…Ag Coalition Seeks Reopening of Eagle Pass, El Paso Ports of Entry
Published December 21, 2023
The Agricultural Transportation Working Group is asking for the immediate reopening of the El Paso and Eagle Pass railroad crossings. In a letter to the Office of Homeland Security, this coalition said this closure is impacting the supply chain and…Labor Headaches
Published December 20, 2023
According to Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Dan Glessing, the cost for participation in the H-2A program has become almost unaffordable for producers. MFBF is calling for a freeze on wage increases. “At this point it’s just putting farmers out…Ag Groups Support AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
Published December 20, 2023
Twenty-five major farm groups have sent a joint letter to Congress in support of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. In response to a threat from automakers, this bill would require all new vehicles to include AM radio. The…Immigration Issue Curtails Rail Movement to Mexico
Published December 20, 2023
Faced with an upswing in illegal border crossings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed several bridges and ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border. Immigration officials said there aren’t enough border patrol agents to handle the numbers crossing the border.…