News
State of Emergency
Published December 29, 2023
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has declared a statewide emergency due to the December 25-27 ice storm. Over 20,000 North Dakotans were without electricity. The Governor’s Office reports over 1,400 utility poles were downed in the storm and power lines…Barley Acres Expected to Drop in ’24
Published December 29, 2023
Acreage decisions are still being made for 2024, but Hanson expects barley acres to decline. “Barley contracts are tough to come by,” said Jason Hanson, owner, Rock and Roll Agronomy. “I see more interest in canola, but right now everything…#1-Farm Bill Caught Up in Congressional Chaos
Published December 29, 2023
The 2023 farm bill was a casualty of the congressional chaos over the speakership. Once the dust settled and Mike Johnson was elected Speaker, timing became an issue for the farm bill and lawmakers settled for a one-year extension. That’s…#2-Agriculture Becomes Part of Climate Conversation
Published December 29, 2023
Climate and the impact of the food and farming business dominated policy discussions in 2023, becoming the #2 ag story of the year. The Biden Administration offered record funding for climate-smart agriculture practices. Many of the programs are promoted as…#3-Unprecedented Transportation Woes
Published December 29, 2023
RRFN’s third ranked story for the past year is the unprecedented transportation woes facing agricultural shipments. At the end of the year, the Suez Canal and cargo shipments on the Red Sea were facing attacks from militant rebels. Mother Nature…#4-‘Better Than Expected’ Yields
Published December 29, 2023
The 2023 growing season had a late start due to too much moisture. That was followed by a record drought in Minnesota. Despite those conditions, there was a common theme at harvest time. Yields were repeatedly described as ‘better-than-expected.’ The…#5-High Court Rules on Prop 12 Housing Standards
Published December 29, 2023
In a split 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s controversial Prop 12 initiative requiring the pork sold in the state be raised under certain housing standards. The same mandate impacts veal calves and egg-laying hens. This ruling is…#6-Fed Takes Aggressive Stance on Interest Rates
Published December 29, 2023
The Federal Reserve aggressively pushed the benchmark interest rate to its highest level in 22 years and that is ranked as the sixth most important ag story for the year. With inflation easing, the Federal Open Market Committee held its…#7-Fufeng Project Leads to Foreign Ownership Scrutiny
Published December 29, 2023
Foreign ownership of farmland was an issue heard in Congress and state legislatures throughout the country this past year. This story began when a Chinese company called the Fugeng Group purchased land near Grand Forks to build a corn processing…