Top Stories Articles
Workforce Issue is ‘a Real Mess’
Published April 20, 2023
Finding labor is one of the biggest headaches for farmers and agribusinesses. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Conner says efforts are underway to ease the labor shortage by making the foreign guestworker program more assessable. "In the…GOP Offers Plan to Raise Debit Ceiling
Published April 20, 2023
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has introduced a plan to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion or through March of next year, whichever comes first. This proposal is tied to cuts in federal spending. President Joe Biden has already said…Farm Economy Described as ‘Stable’
Published April 20, 2023
The Federal Reserve Bank’s beige book looks at all segments of the economy. For the Nineth Federal Reserve District that represents Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan, the report said agricultural conditions were stable…Farm Loan Volume Drops
Published April 19, 2023
According to the latest Ag Finance Update from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the volume of non-real estate farm loans is down ten percent from the first quarter of last year. Lending activity was held back with fewer…Navigation Hampered by High Water
Published April 19, 2023
The Army Corps of Engineers closed Lock and Dam 4 at Alma, Wisconsin due to high water. Advance Trading Risk Management Advisor Tommy Grisafi says the flooding has also slowed navigation on the rest of the Mississippi River. These river…Who Holds the Cards in the Farm Bill Debate?
Published April 19, 2023
Russell Group President Randy Russell does not expect the new farm bill passed before the current bill expires at the end of September. "There's not a snowball's chance that is going to happen." It is more likely action will be…WOTUS Veto Sustained
Published April 19, 2023
The House did not get the necessary two-thirds majority to overturn President Joe Biden’s veto dealing with the Waters of the United States rule. Congress tried to undo the revised WOTUS rule, but that was met with a presidential veto.…Troubled by House Environment Bill Provisions
Published April 18, 2023
The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is concerned about the House omnibus environment bill. "Fortunately, we were able to get two of the four provisions that were most concerned about out of the bill on the floor," said Kaytlin Bemis, public policy…A Strong Safety Net is a Must
Published April 18, 2023
The National Farmers Union is continuing to meet with lawmakers to educate them about the intricacies of the farm program. "Farmers Union is very much focused on making sure that we get a farm bill done and we get one…