Policy Articles
Funeral Services Wednesday for Former MN Lawmaker
Published March 28, 2024
Former Minnesota House Agriculture Committee Chair Howard Swenson, 93, died on March 24. Funeral services will be held Wednesday. Swenson farmed at Nicollet. Swenson received the Meritorious Service Award from the Minnesota Holstein Association, the Breeder of the Year award…Waiting for EPA’s Decision on GREET Model
Published March 27, 2024
Ethanol remains a priority for the ag sector and newly-elected North Dakota Corn Utilization Council Chairman Carson Klosterman said sustainable aviation fuel and E15 markets are a major focus. "The biggest obstacle now with the Council is the GREET model.…Partisanship Preventing Farm Bill
Published March 27, 2024
After spending time this month walking the halls of Congress, Midwest Council on Agriculture Executive Director Allison Stock said partisan politics appear to be getting in the way of any farm bill progress. "I don't think there's bipartisan agreement on…Environment Committee Considers Manure Grants
Published March 27, 2024
A bill was laid over for consideration later in the legislative session, providing grants to manage manure in the Karst region of southeastern Minnesota. "Nitrate pollution continues to be a threat in Minnesota water quality, especially in southeastern Minnesota where nitrate…Wastewater Regs Deliver Financial Hit to Animal Agriculture
Published March 27, 2024
According to a coalition of meat and poultry industries, EPA’s proposed wastewater guidelines will cost the industry over $1 billion and the loss of thousands of jobs. The Meat and Poultry Products Industry Coalition said EPA has “grossly underestimated” the…Little Hope for a Farm Bill in ’24
Published March 26, 2024
North Dakota Grain Growers Association Executive Director Kayla Pulvermacher said the farm bill dominated the discussion when the Midwest Council on Agriculture spent time on Capitol Hill. Pulvermacher, who is an MCA member, does not expect a farm bill to…Crop Insurance Fraud Case Settled
Published March 26, 2024
A Washburn, North Dakota farmer has accepted a plea agreement to settle allegations of crop insurance fraud. Kent Pfaff must pay more than $390,000 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release for providing false information to the Risk…Emergency Haying and Grazing Authorized
Published March 26, 2024
USDA is taking action to assist livestock producers impacted by the recent wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. To provide forage to these farmers and ranchers, the Agriculture Department has authorized the release of emergency haying and grazing of Conservation…Emergency Waiver Request for Unleaded88
Published March 26, 2024
A coalition of six national agriculture and biofuel groups has sent another letter to EPA Administrator Micheal Regan, renewing their call for an emergency waiver for summer sales of E15. Ongoing conflicts with Russia and Ukraine and the Middle East…