Rollins in Fargo Tuesday – Brooke Rollins has scheduled her first official trip to North Dakota as agriculture secretary. Tuesday’s schedule includes a meeting with farm leaders at North Dakota State University and an ag technology demonstration at Grand Farm. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven invited Rollins to the state during her confirmation hearing.

China Needs Us More Than We Need Them – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed trade and tariffs in Tuesday’s briefing with reporters. Leavitt shared a statement from President Trump about trade with China. It said, “China needs to make a deal with us; we don’t have to make a deal with them.” Leavitt made it clear that the President is open to a trade deal with China, but the responsibility lies with China to initiate that deal. Leavitt also said more than 75 countries have reached out about possible trade deals “and we do believe we’ll be able to announce some deals very soon.”

Chinese Editorial Slams U.S. Tariff Policy – Despite tariffs of up to 245 percent, China remains firm. A foreign ministry spokesperson China will retaliate and ‘fight to the end.’ The state-run China Daily published an editorial criticizing the United States. It said ‘the U.S. is not getting ripped off by anybody. The problem is the U.S. has been living beyond its means for decades. It consumes more than it produces.’

China Issues a Warning – China has warned any country that makes a trade deal with the United States. The Trump Administration has said it plans to pressure those countries to limit trade with China. The Chinese commerce ministry made it clear it opposes any deal that happens at China’s expense and will take appropriate countermeasures.

Fee Strategy for Chinese-Built Ships Revised – The United States is scaling back its plan to charge Chinese ships millions of dollars in fees in U.S. ports. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office zeroed out these fees for the first 180 days. After that, the fees will be based on net tonnage. Ag groups, including the National Grain and Feed Association and National Association of Wheat Growers, asked for the change. They said the high fees would put U.S. agriculture at a competitive disadvantage in global markets.

California Challenges Use of Emergency Economic Powers Act – The State of California has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s tariff policy. The lawsuit claims the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement tariffs goes beyond presidential authority.  Governor Gavin Newsom said California is disproportionately affected by the tariffs.

Uncertain Times – University of Minnesota Extension Economist Ed Usset says current trade tensions with China feel broader and more uncertain than anything in recent memory, even compared to the 2018 trade war. How should a farmer respond to this time of uncertainty? “I’m not sure what to do right now.” said Usset. “My own suggestion is I’m not going to do anything. I’m going to let this thing play out a little more.”

Zuzolo: China Won’t Repeat Japan’s Mistakes in Trade War – Global Commodity Analytics President Mike Zuzolo says the trade war between the U.S. and China is far from over, with China unlikely to make currency concessions. “He’s (President Xi) not going to back down, he saw what happened to Japan in the 1980s,” Zuzolo said. “Japan had almost the identical property bubble that China does right now. China saw what happened to Japan after they bent and allowed their currency to appreciate. I don’t think they’re going to allow their currency to appreciate like we want them to. I’m hunkering down for the trade war with China.”

A Price Impact From Tariff Strategy – With the White House’s back-and-forth on tariffs, the impact on agricultural trade is obvious. The biggest price influence is on the countries that purchase large volumes of U.S. commodities. “For soybeans, without a doubt, that’s China,” said NDSU Extension Crops Economist Frayne Olson. Other parts of the globe get the attention for other commodities. “Mexico, Japan, and Korea are big buyers of US corn. For wheat, specifically for spring wheat, it’s Japan, the Philippines, and Mexico. Anytime that I hear problems or issues or concerns, when those countries are named, I’m listening pretty carefully to what’s happening.”

What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets – In this edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says gold continues to set new contract highs. “That is a little concerning because it also shows that there are questions about the economy and other countries’ investment in the U.S.,” said Martinson. The value of the U.S. dollar and the Dow are being pressured with those dollars going into a safe haven, such as gold. Click here to listen.

‘100% Confident’ – After meeting with the Italian prime minister in the White House, President Trump said he is 100 percent confident there will be a trade deal between the U.S. and Europe. This was the first face-to-face meeting with a European leader after the aggressive tariff schedule was imposed and later put on pause.

County FSA, NRCS Office Closures Proposed – Government Executive is reporting the Trump Administration is planning significant cuts at USDA, including the office closures at the county level. The publication got access to documents from the Office of Management and Budget for the 2026 fiscal year.  In the document, OMB orders USDA to develop plans to consolidate county-based FSA, NRCS and Rural Development Offices. Budget savings would also be made by reductions in research funding, the elimination of the McGovern-Dole and Food for Peace grant programs and many rural infrastructure programs for waste treatment, drinking water and electric power. An OMB spokesperson said no final decisions have been made.

Frustrated by Potential USDA Budget Cuts – Aaron Krauter served eight years as the state executive director for the North Dakota Farm Service Agency during the Obama Administration.  Krauter, who farms at Regent in western North Dakota, said the proposed USDA budget cuts are very frustrating. “What really bothers me is so many producers voted for this administration and this is what they’re getting,” said Krauter. “Folks, you’ve got to stop and think what the consequences are because we’re at that now.” In a down market, programs like ARC and PLC, become more important. Natural disaster payments and livestock indemnity payments are all made at the local level. Krauter said there will be long-term consequences to the potential county office closures. “Think about the beginning farmer, getting credit is always tough because you don’t have the assets or cash flow or the collateral, where do they come? They come to the Farm Service Agency for the beginning farmer farm loans.” With farm relief likely due to tariffs and a trade war, Krauter said those payments are also calculated through FSA.

Research Will Feel Impact of USDA Workforce Reduction – The size of the USDA workforce is being trimmed back through firings and potential office closures. There are also reports that up to 16,000 USDA employees have accepted deferred resignation offers and will be gone at the end of the summer. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles sees major implications for agriculture. “You can have the greatest program in the world at USDA, but if you don’t have people to run it, it’s a real challenge,” Quarles told RRFN. “There’s no place you see that more acutely than in the research space. We have multi-year research projects that are high risk, which really require the federal government’s partnership. If that research stops, if it’s paused because of a lack of personnel, you can lose all of that work that has gone on for years in a very short period of time and you’re just back to ground zero.” Without the right people in place, Quarles said USDA won’t be able to carry out complicated policies that will make agriculture better.

SD Corn Comments – In this edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, South Dakota Corn Council Executive Director Danita Murray discusses their support for the innovative work at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Listen here. 

Judge Weighs in on IRA, BIL Funds – A federal judge has ordered USDA and four other agencies to release funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted under former President Biden. The judge, who was appointed by President Trump in his first term, said presidents are entitled to enact their own agenda, but agencies do not have unlimited authority to restrict programs passed by Congress during the previous administration. This includes a variety of ag projects focused on conservation, funding for blender pumps and biofuel production and broadband.

ESA Decision Welcomed – A decision to review and revise the Endangered Species Act is being praised by North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. Goehring said if the new regulations are implemented, it will protect landowner rights, allow farmers to use critical crop protection tools and maintain protection for at-risk species.

Craig Plans Town Halls – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig will host in-person town hall events in Minnesota districts represented by Republican members of Congress this week. This is in response to the National Republican Congressional Committee advising its members not to hold town hall meetings. Craig will stop in Grand Rapids, St. Cloud, Willmar and Mankato.

WOTUS Listening Session Scheduled – The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers have scheduled a series of listening sessions regarding Waters of the United States. Before taking new administrative action, the agencies want to learn from past regulatory approaches and the 2023 Sacket decision in the U.S. Supreme Court. The listening sessions will be next week in Washington, D.C. and virtually.

MFBF Minute – In the MFBF Minute, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Dan Glessing discusses the recent trip to Washington, D.C. Click here. 

Glessing Urges Action on Farm Bill – Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing is calling for swift passage of a modernized farm bill, arguing that outdated safety net programs leave farmers vulnerable to economic stress. “If we would have passed the farm bill with updated numbers to reflect the inflationary or the input pricing increases that we’ve seen in farming, would we have needed that economic assistance? I would tend to think not.” Glessing also raised concerns over trade instability, citing worries related to USMCA renegotiations and tariff uncertainty. “A good fair trade deal is kind of the goal of it, but it’s going to cost us, because we put a lot of inputs into our farms and ranches.”

Canola Minute – In the Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman offers insight into the 45Z biofuel regulations and the impact on the canola industry.  Click here. 

Underground CO2 Storage Reviewed by ND Supreme Court – The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a case that could impact the state’s carbon sequestration project. The Northwest Landowners Association is suing the State of North Dakota and the State Industrial Commission over a law that forces landowners to allow CO2 storage underneath their land if 60 percent of the landowners agree to the project. NDFB has joined the landowner group in this lawsuit. The state has the support of Minnkota Power, Basin Electric Power, Dakota Gasification and Summit Carbon Solutions. The court took the case under advisement.

Investing in Rural North Dakota – In Bismarck, the North Dakota House approved a bill to create a ‘Rural Catalyst Fund’ with a 68-24 vote. The proposal calls for $5 million in state money for grants supporting economic development projects in communities with 3,000 people or less. At least half of those dollars would target towns with less than 1,500 people. The original bill called for a $50 million ‘Rural Community Endowment Fund,’ but the dollar amount was reduced to $5 million in the Senate. The bill now returns to the Senate for second consideration.

ND Senate Supports State Incentives for Large Ag Project – For the second time, the North Dakota Senate has passed a bill to provide $30 million in state incentives for large agricultural development. The bill passed in late March, but an amendment was added to allow it to be implemented immediately. It now goes back to the House for consideration. The incentives are targeted for the proposed Agristo potato processing project in Grand Forks. If everything lines up on schedule, the Belgium company could break ground in 2026.

ND Legislative Report – In the North Dakota Legislative Report, NDFB Director of Public Policy Pete Hanebutt discusses property tax reform. Click here. 

ND Senate Approves Liability Shield for Ag Chem Companies – The North Dakota Senate passed House Bill 1318 on a 29 to 18 vote, aiming to shield pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits if their products carry EPA-approved labels. Supporters say the bill provides legal clarity and supports the use of science in modern farming. “The only way we can do it is through enhanced scientific methods, and that’s why most of us farmers are concerned about this issue,” said Senator Terry Wanzek. Opponents argued the bill strips North Dakotans of their right to seek justice.

Fielding Questions – The Fielding Questions podcast is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network. In this update, AgCountry Vice President of Succession and Retirement Russ Tweiten talks about the importance of having a succession plan. Click here to listen to the podcast.

MN Beef Update – In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Kaityln Root offers information on the Steak on the Stick event. It will be held April 24 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Learn more. 

More Compromise Happening in St. Paul – Margins are razor thin, but Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson says work is being done in the Minnesota Legislature. “Even with all of the volatility and rhetoric around it, it feels a little more like legislating again,” said Johnson. “In the last two years, Democrats did the bills behind closed doors, but now there’s a lot of going back and forth between the parties and if feels like we’re getting more consensus on bills. There’s a lot more compromise and really what people imagine legislating to be.”

Fields Graying Off and Ready to Go – Field activity is picking up in the Red River Valley. “There’s some sugarbeets going in; there’s some guys getting their fields worked.; there is fertilizer getting spread,” said Nick Salentine, business rep, BASF. “I think the further west you go outside of the (Red River) Valley, it seems like they’ve gotten a little bit more rain that has kept them out of the field, but in the Valley it seems like there’s fields that are graying off and ready to go.”

Fieldwork Expected to Pick Up This Week – With fertilizer going down, farmers in the Perham, Minnesota area are expected to hit the fields hard this week. “Hopefully, the weather holds decent for us,” said Brad Guck, agronomist, Professional Agronomy Services. “Traditionally, right around the Perham area, the 25th (of April)  is about the earliest that we typically see corn go in on a good year.”

Late March Snow Boosts Soil Moisture in South Central ND – A late March snowstorm brought much-needed moisture to south-central North Dakota, easing drought concerns for Cleveland area farmer Ryan Wanzek. “We were starting to get nervous about moisture issues and probably, honestly, kept us from doing something stupid by going out in the field and doing something we shouldn’t have.” Although some spring wheat was planted before the snow, most fieldwork remains on hold. “The conditions in the field were actually really good, it was just the ground was so cold.” Wanzek expects planting to pick up in the upcoming week.

The Waiting Game – For many North Dakota farmers, the heart of the planting season is still ahead. Despite that, Barnes County Extension Agent Alicia Harstad said the fields look good. “The snow is gone, which is nice for April. Sometimes you just never know what April is going to bring.” Recent rains have helped with soil moisture. “We were a little bit drier in the fall, but we did have some rainfall here, so we’re doing all right with moisture.”

WestBred Wheat Report – In the WestBred Wheat Report, WestBred Seed Account Manager Joe Narlock offers advice on getting the best start with the spring wheat crop. What are ways to mitigate risk? Find out more by clicking here. 

Wet Conditions Persist in Pockets – Despite widespread drought concerns, Dairyland Seeds District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says certain areas remain overly wet. “South-central North Dakota got a lot of moisture in that late March snowstorm.” That moisture has helped alleviate some of the dry areas. There are pockets that got a lot of moisture last year. “A guy said they had 30 inches of precip last year, normal is like 12, that’s in northeast Logan County.”

South Central North Dakota Planting Progress – This spring season started on the dry side in south-central North Dakota. Kenny Schmidt, who is a farmer/rancher at Solen, said recent rains improved the conditions slightly, allowing planting to begin. “We’re seeding into moisture and field conditions are pretty good.” Schmidt, who grows wheat, corn, and sunflowers, estimates 25 percent of his wheat is in the ground. “It’s early for the corn yet.”

Dry Bean Scene – In the Dry Bean Scene, NDSU Research Plant Pathologist Michael Wunsch talks about the latest research for white mold fungicide applications. The Dry Bean Scene is a presentation of the Northarvest Bean Growers Association. Click here to listen.

Earliest Start in a Decade – It wasn’t a fit everywhere, but beets started going in the ground on the weekend of April 12-13. More acres were seeded as the week went on. “We’re looking at generally an earlier start that’s over the last 10-year average if things shape up,” said Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Director Harrison Weber.

Working Capital Better Than Expected – Going into spring, the ag economic situation is “a tale of two farms.” Bell Bank Senior Vice President and Director of Agribusiness Development Lynn Paulson says livestock producers are on firmer footing than crop-only farmers. “If you’re in the livestock business, times are actually pretty good, especially cow-calf,” said Paulson. “If you’re strictly a row crop operation, obviously, there’s some stress. We’ve gone through the majority of our loan renewals and it probably turned out a little bit better than we were anticipating. Liquidity or working capital stayed a little higher than we anticipated.” Paulson says part of that is due to government payments.

ND Cropland Prices Continue Upward Momentum – The average North Dakota cropland prices went up by double digits for the fourth straight year in 2025. The largest year-to-year increase was in the northern Red River Valley, up 22 percent. Cash rents are also up with the highest increase in the northern Red River Valley at more than ten percent. NDSU Extension Agricultural Finance Specialist Bryon Parman is surprised by this trend given the drop in net farm income and higher interest rate costs.

ND Farmland Values Climb Over 10% for 4th Year – A report released by NDSU Extension showed farmland values throughout North Dakota have increased by more than 10% each of the last four years. Extension Ag Finance Specialist Bryan Parman was surprised by those numbers. “I expected land prices to be up, but I didn’t expect ten and a half percent.” The report revealed that farm size throughout North Dakota has increased over the decades, while ownership of land has consolidated. “The number of acres owned really hasn’t changed in over 30 years. It’s been somewhere between 480 and 550 acres owned, but farm size has more than doubled on average. So, the land ownership of the percentage of total acres farmed has shrunk from almost fifty percent thirty-five years ago down to twenty-five percent today.”

Farming for the Future – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Red River Farm Network and the Linder Farm Network to provide information on soil health events and topics. This week, Katie Rasmussen, a hydrologist with MDA, talks about the Minnesota runoff advisory forecast. Click here. 

Crop Reporting Dates Loom – Now that warmer weather is here, so too are first plant dates for crop insurance. “It varies a little bit by what county you’re in,” said Countryside Insurance Agency President Jennifer Otteson. “For some, like the sugarbeet early planning date for many counties is April 11th. For corn and canola, that is April 15th for a lot of the other counties.” The reporting deadline is coming up on April 29. “All their production has to be reported by that date and any added land is always recommended to let your agent know so you can get all those fields added.”

Neutral-to-Slightly Bearish COF Report – USDAS’s March Cattle on Feed report showed 11.6 million head of cattle in the nation’s feedlots as of April 1. That is down two percent from a year ago. Placements were up five percent from last year at 1.84 million head, and marketings were up one percent year over year. AgMarket.net partner Tyler Schau does not expect the market to pay much attention to these USDA numbers. The focus is on cash cattle. “We pay a lot of attention to the feeder calf index because we deal with a lot of cow-calf operators,” said Schau. “The daily number on Wednesday’s sales was over $300 on an average 800-pound steer. There were some massive sales at Aberdeen and very, very high prices in video auctions.”

No Confirmed Calf Thefts in North Dakota – Despite growing social media chatter, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association says there are no confirmed reports of stolen calves in the state. “What we’ve got is people who have called and said they’ve heard it’s going on,” said Chief Brand Inspector Corby Ward.”Everybody should be a little aware and if you see something, say something.”

High Sulfates Pose Risk to ND Herds – As drought conditions persist across North Dakota, NDSU Extension is warning livestock producers to monitor water quality in stock ponds. “There’s a lot of water sources that are dry or nearly dry with the lack of snow and runoff,” said Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. Dry conditions can concentrate salts and minerals, posing health risks to livestock. Meehan said sulfates above 1,000 parts per million can cause loose stool in mature animals, and in hotter conditions, may lead to nervous system issues or death. “In 2017, there were a number of animals that died from high levels of sulfate in the state.” Producers are encouraged to use handheld meters or work with Extension agents to test the water before turnout.

StoneX-RJO Deal Announced – StoneX Group has announced a definitive agreement to acquire R.J. O’Brien for an equity value of $900 million. StoneX will also assume up to $143 million of RJO debt. R.J. O’Brien is the oldest futures brokerage firm in the United States.

STB Vacates Previous ND Ruling – The Surface Transportation Board voted unanimously to vacate a previous decision involving a North Dakota grain elevator and its access to the BNSF Railway. In 2007, the STB allowed Canadian Pacific to acquire 45 miles of rail line in northwest North Dakota from BNSF. With that deal, BNSF was able to serve shippers through a service agreement. In 2020, the STB granted a petition from New Century Ag to reopen the case because the CP limited the number of BNSF cars that could use the interchange. A year later, CP petitioned to board to reconsider, claiming it took ‘an unprecedented step’ to reopen a minor transaction. In the latest decision, the STB approved the CP petition, effectively denying New Century Ag’s request for improved access to BNSF.

Roundup’s Fate to be Known in a Matter of Months – With billions paid out in litigation and more court cases pending, Bayer is evaluating whether the legacy Roundup brand will be part of the company’s future. Bayer CEO Bill Anderson told the Wall Street Journal a decision will be made in a matter of months. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Bayer Crop Science Vice President of Stakeholder Relations Martha Smith said it is not feasible to continue domestic production of Roundup unless changes are made. “We are not making money from the standpoint of selling glyphosate or selling Roundup because of how high these litigation expenses are,” said Smith. “There doesn’t appear to be an end in the future unless we are able to get more states like what North Dakota did to pass legislation or to get that relief from the Supreme Court.”  A bill seeking the preservation of crop protection tools is awaiting final approval in the North Dakota Legislature and will soon be heading to Governor Armstrong for his signature. With split decisions in federal court, Bayer is also petitioning the Supreme Court to review this issue, and that should be known by mid-summer. Bayer supplies 40 percent of the glyphosate worldwide. Smith said farmers would be impacted if that supply went away. “I think we all understand supply and demand and what happens in a situation like that. The other suppliers for this are primarily in China, where the generic glyphosate comes from.Of course, we all know what’s happening with the tariffs and other things right now.” The full interview with Martha Smith can be found on the Red River Farm Network website.

Changes for the Glyphosate Market – If Bayer discontinued production of Roundup, NDSU Extension Weed Specialist Joe Ikley said glyphosate would still be available through other suppliers. “In the short-term, it would just tighten up supplies,” said Ikley. “It would change up the supply chain a little bit and where the glyphosate is coming from.”

Brand Name Announced – Syngenta has announced the name for its foliar-applied potato insecticide brand. Zivalgo will offer broad-spectrum insect control for Colorado potato beetle and potato leafhopper. The product is awaiting EPA approval.

Bunge to Divest North American Corn Milling Business – Bunge has agreed to sell its North American dry corn and corn milling business to an independent flour miller, Grain Craft. The deal includes Bunge facilities in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Kansas, and one site in Mexico. It is subject to regulatory approval.

Corn Matters – Emily Krkeklberg, a farm safety and health educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, offers a safety message for all farmers. Minnesota Corn Matters is a presentation of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Give it a listen. 

Beck’s Expands Olivia, MN Facility – Beck’s is expanding its presence in the Northern Cornbelt with a new 96,000 square foot facility at Olivia, Minnesota. The site will include sales support, cold storage and 100 acres for region-specific research. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2026. Beck’s is based in Indiana and is the largest family-owned retail seed company in the country.

KWS Seeds Breaks Ground on New Research Facility – KWS Seeds has started construction on a new sugarbeet greenhouse research facility in Kimberly, Idaho. The project is described as a ‘forward-looking facility that will set a new standard by utilizing ultramodern technology.’ KWS Seeds is a German-based company with North American headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota. Its sugarbeet seed varieties are marketed through the ACH Seeds and Betaseed seed companies.

AGCO Wins Patent Case – AGCO won a patent dispute for its Momentum planters. A Brazilian company, Stara, challenged the validity of the AGCO patent. A ruling from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied that petition.

Honoring Excellence in Agriscience – The South Dakota FFA Foundation has established the Chilson Agriscience Sweepstakes Endowment with a legacy gift from long-time ag teacher Jim Chilson. An award will be presented annually to a high school junior or senior FFA member who demonstrates achievement in agriscience.

USDA Appointments Announced – USDA has announced a long list of presidential appointees. Many of these names were announced previously including Pennsylvania crop farmer Bill Beam as the administrator of the Farm Service Agency and Iowa farmer and crop insurance agency owner Pat Swanson to lead the Risk Management Agency. Twenty-five top USDA jobs were included in the announcement. Most of the new hires are from the South or the West Coast. Click here.

Peterson Farms Seed Adds Bonds to the Team – Kendall Bonds has joined Peterson Farms Seed as Director of Product. In this role, Bonds will oversee research, product selection and agronomy. Bonds brings 25 years of experience in plant breeding and seed production, having held various leadership roles at Monsanto and Bayer.

Siehl Prize Laureates Announced – The University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences has named the 2025 Siehl Prize laureates, recognizing exceptional contributions to agriculture in production, agribusiness, and knowledge. This year’s recipients are Carmen Fernholz, an organic farming pioneer from Madison, Minnesota; brothers Michael and Geoffrey Graham, global leaders in plant breeding at Bayer Crop Science and Corteva Agriscience; and the late Donald Wyse, a longtime U of M professor known for advancing sustainable agriculture through crop diversification.  Each laureate will receive a $25,000 award at a ceremony on May 28.