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Conaway Files Farm Bill Language
Published May 7, 2018
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway has filed the farm bill that passed in his committee. The report includes dissenting views, written by the Democratic members of the committee. SNAP and the nutrition title have been at the heart of…Animal Agriculture is Alert to Activists
Published May 7, 2018
There is a real threat to animal agriculture from activist organizations. National Milk Producers Federation vice president of sustainability and scientific affairs Jamie Jonker says the labor shortage adds to the problem. "Sometimes a warm body seems like the right…U.S. and China Discuss Trade
Published May 7, 2018
The United States and China have not scheduled another round of negotiations. Trade officials from both countries met Thursday and Friday. The U.S. wants China to reduce its trade gap with the United States by $200 billion over the next…Overcoming Farm Bill Hurdles
Published May 7, 2018
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway is focused on securing the votes he needs to move the proposed farm bill to the floor. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says a partisan turn in the House version of…Little Change Seen in Interest Rates
Published May 7, 2018
Interest expenses for farmers and ranchers have increased slightly. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the interest rates for most types of farm loans at commercial banks increased between one and one-and-a-half percentage points since 2015. Despite…Walsh County Soils Remain Cool
Published May 4, 2018
Walsh County, North Dakota farmers are busy in the field, but conditions are touch and go. Midwest Consulting agronomist Dave Svobodny says frost is still coming out of the ground and soil temperatures are cool in places. "In spite of…MN Senate Approves Tax Bill
Published May 4, 2018
With a party-line vote of 34-to-32, the Minnesota Senate has approved its tax bill. This bill brings the state tax code into alignment with the new federal tax law. That includes conformity with the increased Section 179 federal expensing provision,…MN House Passes Omnibus Ag Finance Bill
Published May 4, 2018
After ten hours of debate Thursday, the Minnesota House passed an omnibus supplemental bill that includes agriculture, environment, job growth and state government finance bills. This bill includes $35 million for the Rural Finance Authority. There’s increased funding for mental…USDA Releases Proposed Biotech Rule
Published May 4, 2018
USDA’s proposed biotech label rule is is designed to bring clarity to a very complex issue. The Russell Group president and partner Randy Russell says the most difficult challenge is with the refined ingredients. “If 92 percent of corn, 94…