Policy Articles
UM Regent Elected
Published May 11, 2018
Minnesota lawmakers have elected Randy Simonson of Worthington to fill an open seat on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. Simonson leads an animal health company and has served as an adjunct professor at the university.Buffer Tax Credit: Dayton Response
Published May 11, 2018
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has sent on open letter to state farm leaders, clarifying his position on the buffer tax credit. Dayton supports the use of general funds to pay for this tax credit, but said he would support any…NAFTA Deadline Approaches
Published May 11, 2018
House Speaker Paul Ryan has put a time limit on the NAFTA negotiations. To give the current Congress enough time to approve the trade deal before the end of the year, Ryan says the deadline is May 17. There are…U.S. Challenges India’s Price Support for Wheat and Rice
Published May 10, 2018
The United States has gone to the World Trade Organization to challenge India’s price support system for wheat and rice. This is the first-ever notification to the WTO Committee on Agriculture involving another country’s trade practices. The U.S. says India’s…Infrastructure Bill Not Expected in ’18
Published May 10, 2018
Congress is not expected to move a standalone infrastructure bill before the midterm elections. When asked, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders downplayed hope for an infrastructure bill, but said funding for some infrastructure priorities has been inserted into…Ag Groups Seek Support for Buffer Tax Credit
Published May 10, 2018
Fifteen Minnesota agriculture organizations have sent a joint letter to Governor Mark Dayton, seeking his support for a tax credit for land taken out of production for the state buffer law. Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Kirby Hettver says it…Burgum Grants HOS Waiver for Anhydrous
Published May 9, 2018
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has signed an emergency executive order granting a waiver of hours of service for commercial drivers transporting anhydrous ammonia. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring requested the waiver to ensure sufficient resources are available for farmers. Many…Senate Focuses on Bipartisan Farm Bill
Published May 9, 2018
State Farm Bureau presidents participated in a conference call with the majority staff from the Senate and House agriculture committees. Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap says it is clear Senate Chairman Pat Roberts won’t move anything out of the…Close Vote Expected
Published May 9, 2018
Gordley and Associates Dale Thorenson anticipates a close vote when the farm bill comes to the House floor. “There won’t be any Democratic votes for it. They can only lose about 20 Republican votes with the vacancies they have in…