Top Stories Articles
Agriculture Awaits Details of COVID-19 Direct Payment Program
Published May 11, 2020
The agriculture industry is awaiting USDA’s publication of the final rule for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says the rule moved to the Office of Management and Budget last week. There’s been lots of…Commodity Purchases for Food Banks to Begin Soon
Published May 11, 2020
President Donald Trump was on Twitter this weekend, saying USDA will begin purchases of agricultural commodities for food banks early this week. Trump referenced the $3 billion USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program. Trump tagged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue…Supply Chain Bottleneck Recovery Ahead, But Not Straight Line
Published May 11, 2020
A bottleneck in the U.S. meat and livestock supply chain is impacting meat supplies at the grocery store. CoBank Lead Animal Protein Economist Will Sawyer says there is recovery ahead, but it’s not a vertical line. "It's a v shape.…Attorney Generals, Ag Organizations Support Federal Investigation of the Beef Market
Published May 9, 2020
Attorney generals from 11 states, along with agricultural organizations and Congressional members, are calling for a federal investigation into the beef market. "There is great diversity between the price of finished cattle coming out of feedyards and going to packers…SD Agriculture Secretary Announces Retirement
Published May 8, 2020
South Dakota Agriculture Secretary Kim Vanneman retired on Friday. In Vanneman's near two years at the agriculture department, she’s most proud of her work with young farmers and ranchers and also, helping farmers build stronger relationships with consumers. "We need…Crop Watch
Published May 8, 2020
Cool, wet conditions and frost potential loomed over Northern Plains farmers and ranchers in the last week. Ahead of a weather change, farmers in northern Minnesota made some planting progress. “Spring wheat went into the ground, but it will be…Budget Challenge for MN Legislature
Published May 8, 2020
When the Minnesota legislative session began in February, there was a projected budget surplus of $1.5 billion. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Tax revenues and the economic slowdown along with additional spending now means a projected deficit of $2.4 billion.…Closely Monitor Sugarbeets Following a Frost
Published May 8, 2020
There is some concern for potential frost damage as sugarbeets start to grow in southern Minnesota. University of Minnesota and NDSU Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist Tom Peters says there are two growth stages of sugarbeets that are the most vulnerable to…AFBF Report: Few Farmers Secure PPP Loans in Round One
Published May 7, 2020
A new report from the American Farm Bureau Federation says few farmers have been able to take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program. Of the $349 billion originally allocated for the program, it’s estimated $4.37 billion or 1.3 percent was…