FBA Payment Rates Expected Soon – The payment rates for each crop in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program are expected to be released this upcoming week. The University of Illinois and Ohio State University conducted research on the potential impact of this relief package and are out with their predictions for payments. Soybeans are often cited as the crop hurt most by this past year’s trade disputes, but the estimated payment rate is only $25 per acre. This study estimates the payment rate for corn will be $46 per acre and $39 per acre for wheat. Barley has the lowest projected payment rate, at $21 per acre. Cotton and rice are on the other extreme with rates over $100 per acre.

USDA Combines Aid and Trade to Stabilize Agriculture – USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says the administration is focused on helping farmers facing tight margins and global uncertainty. “The Secretary (Brooke Rollins) and the President (Donald Trump) recognize there was a need right now to clean up from a lot of the challenges our farmers were left with and give them the resources they need to get their crop in the ground and bridge over into the brighter future.” Lindberg added that the administration is also actively pursuing trade opportunities. “We have reached a critical mass of deals now. The president has generated historic leverage in negotiating trade deals.” To listen to the full interview, click here.

FBA Provide Support Until ARC/PLC Payments Kick In – According to North Dakota FSA State Executive Director Brad Thykeson, the Farmer Bridge Assistance payments are designed to help fill the financial gap until updated ARC and PLC payments are distributed in October. “I think that the Trump administration realizes that the tariffs definitely put producers behind the eight-ball on our pricing on commodities, especially going into this year’s crop,” said Thykeson. “This payment is to help us get through the poor prices that we absorbed during the fall and get us into operating mode to 2026, when things should look a little bit better.” The per-acre, per-crop payment will be in the hands of the producers by February 28th.

Specialty Crop Caucus Seeks Equity – A bipartisan group of more than 100 members of Congress responded to the specialty crop provisions in the new Farmer Bridge Assistance program. The lawmakers are seeking immediate and equitable economic relief for specialty crop producers. The new farm relief plan includes $1 billion for specialty crops, but key details on eligibility requirements, payment rates and timing are not known.

House Ag Leaders Call for $10B More in Farm Aid – Leaders of the House Agriculture Committee say Congress may need to provide at least $10 billion in additional aid for U.S. farmers, on top of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program recently announced by the Trump administration. Committee members say the current package is helpful but does not fully address financial stress across all sectors of agriculture.  USDA officials have indicated budget limitations make another aid package from the agency unlikely, leaving Congress as the primary avenue for additional assistance, while Senate Agriculture Committee leaders say they are waiting to see how far current funding stretches before committing to a specific dollar amount.

Rethink Traditional Tax Strategies – As farm margins tighten heading into year-end, farmers are being urged to rethink traditional tax strategies. NDSU Extension Farm Management Specialist Ron Haugen says lower incomes can change how they approach deductions and expenses. “The income tax code is very favorable for farmers for net operating losses and if that does occur in your situation, you can carry that back two years and get a refund of taxes previously paid.” Haugen notes that negative income years may require reversing some usual tax approaches, such as spreading fertilizer costs over multiple years or adjusting equipment depreciation. “You can also capitalize your repairs. You can actually postpone some of your expenses to the next year to offset some income.” Every operation is different, and Haugen recommends producers work closely with tax advisors to determine the best strategies heading into 2026.

The Haves and Have-Nots – The farm financial situation reflects a clear divide between the haves and the have-nots. Bell Bank’s Director of Agribusiness Development, Lynn Paulson, is seeing dramatic differences from one type of operation to the next. “You’ve got row crop grain farmers that are struggling a little bit, and your protein sector, your cattle, your cow-calf, your swine, are doing relatively well,” said Paulson. “I tell folks both the row crop guys and the cattle guys are drinking whiskey, but for entirely different reasons.” Paulson views the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program as a band-aid solution, but it doesn’t address the underlying issue. With the challenges in the grain sector, farmers are taking out larger loans or converting operating lines of credit into longer-term debt. Paulson said most ag lenders are taking a longer-view approach.

Olson: Look for Smaller Pricing Opportunities – There is no shortage of grains worldwide. “We had record corn production, again, not surprising anybody; we had a very good soybean crop and we had a very good wheat crop,” said Frayne Olson, crops economist, NDSU Extension. “Then you look internationally, and again, the South American crop for both Brazil and Argentina was exceptionally good last year, which really means that as a buyer, I’m not worried about supplies right now.” This may be a time when farmers will need to hit singles or doubles, rather than going for a home run in their marketing. “The odds of having a nice, long extended rally in any of these major commodities are pretty low. We’re going to have to look for these smaller pricing opportunities, these smaller bounces in the marketplace.”

Fielding Questions – Fielding Questions is produced in collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network. In the latest episode, we sit down with Jason Edleman, vice president of lending, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, to talk about the next generation of farmers and the realities they are facing as they enter the industry. Edleman discusses rising input, land, and equipment costs, tighter margins, and why young and beginning producers are approaching farming more as a business than a lifestyle. The conversation also explores how technology, data, and diversification are shaping decision-making, along with a closer look at AgCountry’s Starting Gate program and Side-by-Side conferences, which focus on financial education, coaching, and peer networking to help new producers build long-term success. Click here to listen to the latest edition.

Trump Defends His Record – President Donald Trump used a prime-time speech to highlight his achievements over the past year. He repeated a familiar theme, saying tariff is his favorite word. The contrast was made between Trump’s presidency and the Biden White House. “We had the worst trade deals ever made and our country was laughed at from all over the world, but they’re not laughing anymore,” touted Trump. “Over the past 11 months, we have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history. There has never been anything like it.” The affordability theme was also heard in Trump’s speech. “Democrat policies also sent the price of groceries soaring and we’re solving that, too.”

ASA Presses USTR on Phase One Enforcement – American Soybean Association Past President Josh Gackle, who farms at Kulm, North Dakota, testified before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during its review the 2020 U.S.–China Phase One Agreement. The hearing was part of a Section 301 investigation examining whether China fully followed through on the deal. “When trade breaks down, soybean farmers are the first to feel it,” Gackle said, adding that the last trade war led to a 76 percent drop in soybean export value to China and cost U.S. agriculture more than $27 billion. He warned that new tariffs could again trigger retaliation and deepen uncertainty for farmers already facing tight margins.

China Demands Control in Panama Port Deal – President Trump’s effort to curb China’s influence over the Panama Canal is facing a major setback as negotiations over a massive global ports deal have stalled. China is demanding that its state-backed shipping company, COSCO, receive a controlling stake in a proposed $22.8 billion sale of more than 40 ports, including two at the Panama Canal, from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to a group led by BlackRock.  The Trump administration and the buyers have rejected those terms, saying Chinese control of the canal would threaten U.S. economic and national security.

China Threatened by U.S.-Taiwan Relationship – The Trump administration wants to sell a record $11 billion in military equipment to Taiwan. Tensions are already high between the U.S. and China over trade and tariffs. The Chinese Foreign Ministry is saying this move would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the United States and threaten an already precarious relationship. It is estimated that China has purchased 70 to 80 percent of its 12 million metric ton commitment with the U.S.

USMCA: Successful, But Improvements Needed – As part of an ongoing six-year review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has released an update to Congress. Greer said USMCA has been successful to a certain degree, but improvements can be made. For agriculture, Greer cited concerns about the lack of access to the Canadian market for U.S. dairy products and differing views on country-of-origin labeling.

New NDFB President Works on Policy Priorities in DC – NDFB President Val Wagner spent the past week in Washington, D.C., working with her fellow Farm Bureau state leaders on farm policy. This work precedes the resolution process at next month’s American Farm Bureau Federation Convention. “It was a great week discussing farm policy things that are important to NDFB members,” Wagner told RRFN. “We focused on policy priority issues, like private property rights, easement reform, conservation policy and all of the things we want to move forward to our delegate body in January.” Wagner also spent time on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers.

Grassley: Delayed Rules Stall Biodiesel Markets – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is urging federal agencies to expedite the implementation of long-delayed biofuel rules, stating that continued uncertainty is harming farmers and biodiesel producers. Grassley points to pending guidance from the Treasury Department on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. “We’re still waiting for important rules affecting farmers and biofuel producers to be issued,” Grassley said. “Farmers are already making decisions for next year, like buying seed and fertilizer; the final rule from Treasury could impact those decisions.” Grassley wants action. “Delaying these rules means delaying markets for farmers, idling more fuel production, and prolonging uncertainty for rural investors.”

Half RIN Policy Key for Soybean Demand – A new economic analysis finds that EPA’s proposal to assign 50 percent of the Renewable Identification Number credits to imported biofuels and biofuels made from imported feedstocks compared to domestic would strengthen domestic soybean markets “It actually puts a disincentive on importing feedstocks from off our shores,” said Dave Walton, vice president, American Soybean Association. “Feedstocks from the United States, Canada and Mexico are eligible for a full RIN credit, and what we are trying to do is slow the flow of imported feedstocks into the U.S.” Walton says expanding domestic biofuel demand can help reduce reliance on export markets like China. “It’s going to help increase demand in the marketplace and send a signal to the crush industry that they need to continue to expand and crush more soybeans for that oil that will go into the biodiesel industry. It’s a huge demand driver right now, and it’s an America-first energy idea.”

Ethanol Production Hits New Record – U.S. ethanol production surged to a new record in the week ending December 12, according to the Energy Information Administration. Average output climbed to 1.13 million barrels per day, up from 1.11 million the previous week and topping the record set just two weeks earlier. Ethanol inventories declined during the week to 22.4 million barrels.

Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Gets Unanimous Vote – The House unanimously passed the reauthorization of the Federal Maritime Commission. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson co-sponsored the bill, saying it includes his provisions to reform ocean shipping practices. Johnson said China has abused American ocean shipping laws. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Appeals Court Reinstates Federal Block on EPA Grant Freeze – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reinstated a federal court’s order that blocked the EPA from freezing grants that address climate change. The federal grant monies will remain frozen while the litigation continues. The entire appellate court is scheduled to take oral arguments on the case in late February.

Tax Credit Expiration Driving Up Health Insurance Costs for Farmers – The expiration of enhanced tax credits is driving premiums higher for the self-employed and farm families. “In 2025, they were getting $850 a month to offset their health insurance premium,” said Lance Boyer, sales director of financial products, North Dakota Farmers Union. “It’s going to go down to $550 in 2026. $300 a month doesn’t sound like much, unless you’re in a household where it’s $50,000, $60,000 of income. Where do you find $4,000 in your budget overnight?” Boyer said the situation has left farmers with few immediate options. “You can’t pull the dollars at the eleventh hour and expect people to pay two and three times what they were paying for their health insurance while they try to figure this stuff out and get it in place.”

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, Rob Sip, Red River Watershed Management Board, highlights their recent work. Click here. 

House Passes Wolf Delisting Bill – The bill would restore the 2020 rule that removed gray wolves from the Endangered Species List in the lower 48 states and block future court challenges. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council praised the measure, saying it gives livestock producers much-needed certainty. Minnesota Representatives Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber, co-sponsors of the bill, hailed the vote as a win for rural communities, especially farmers and ranchers facing growing wolf populations. Gray wolves were first delisted under the Trump administration in 2020, but that move was overturned by a federal court in 2022. Since 1974, when wolves were added to the Endangered Species Act, their population has surged past recovery goals by more than 300 percent.

COF Report Called Neutral to Slightly Bullish – The number of cattle and calves on feed totaled 11.7 million head on December 1. That’s two percent below year ago levels. Placements are historically low, down 11 percent from a year ago. Marketings are down 12 percent.

Cattle Prices Rebound – The ups and downs in the cattle market have done little to deter buyers at Sioux Falls Regional Livestock. “There’s such a volatile market that made for some bad movement, but it’s been pretty good now,” says co-owner Mike Koedam. “We had a pretty good shot of yearlings, and it was a good market.”  Demand has the calf markets pushing to levels seen before the dip in October. ” I’d say we’re probably overall not quite as high as it was back then, but it sure recovered pretty well.”

Cattle Stressed by Weather Changes – Northern cattle can handle most tough winter conditions, but NDSU Extension Livestock Systems Specialist Karl Hoppe says the up and down temperatures we’ve seen over the past week can be a problem. “When you ever have a weather event that goes from 40 degrees above to zero that’s a 40 degree swing in temperature and then when you have wind chills that come along too, that is hard on our livestock.” Hoppe says there are ways to help keep cattle comfortable during difficult winter weather. “Bedding certainly helps. It comes at a cost and it’s an expense, but it does help the health of the animal. Wind breaks and bedding both go a long ways towards animal husbandry and keeping cattle comfortable and productive.” Hoppe spoke at Friday’s Central Dakota Ag Day at Carrington, focusing on livestock nutrition and feed management.

What’s Hot What’s Not in the Markets – In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says the metals continue to be red hot right now, along with the feeder cattle.  Meanwhile, the soybeans continue to lead the ‘not hot’ category.  Listen to the full report here.

MN Beef Update – In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt highlights the first public hearing regarding the proposed beef checkoff referendum. Two more virtual hearings are scheduled. This report can be found online and is sponsored by the Minnesota Beef Council and Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association.

Manure Management Tips Shared at Central Dakota Ag Day – North Dakota producers attending Central Dakota Ag Day at the Carrington Research Center received practical advice on manure management and crop nutrition. “Is it manure or is it compost? Either one is good; both are tools in the box,” Mary Keena, Extension environmental management specialist, NDSU, said. “And uniform spread—if we have a crummy spreader, we might get uneven coverage across the field. Paying attention to uniformity ensures we’re getting the nutrients to the crops efficiently.” Keena stressed that proper composting and repeated turning can maximize nutrient availability and reduce pathogens. “If we’re pushing it up just once, we’re only going to get one cycle. We’re not necessarily killing weed seeds, pathogens, parasites, or getting the full volume reduction we could,” she said. Producers were encouraged to implement best practices to optimize their inputs, especially in a challenging economy. Keena noted, “All of it feels hard right now, so we want to make sure we’re using every dollar smart.”

Mexico Challenges U.S. Pork Imports – Mexico has opened an anti-dumping investigation into U.S. pork imports. This investigation will concentrate on Mexico’s pork industry from 2022 to 2024. The Mexican economy ministry claims the U.S. sold pork at unfairly low prices or was supported by government subsidies. Mexico is the top market for U.S. pork exports, accounting for nearly 40 percent of total exports.

Whole Milk Bill Awaits Trump Signature – The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act has now passed both chambers of Congress. This legislation updates the requirements for milk in the National School Lunch Program. Since 2012, federal nutrition rules have taken whole and two percent milk out of school lunch programs. With the change, students have access to whole, reduced-fat, low-fat and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. International Dairy Foods Association President/CEO Michael Dykes said the House vote is a victory for children’s health and the dairy industry. Animal rights activist groups, including Animal Wellness Action, praised the bill because it also allows schools to offer plant-based options with a note from their doctor.

HPAI Confirmed in Wisconsin Dairy Herd – USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Wisconsin dairy herd. This is the state’s first known case in cattle. Federal agencies stress that the detection does not pose a risk to consumer health or the safety of the commercial milk supply, noting that pasteurization inactivates the virus. The HPAI viruses currently circulating in birds and cattle remain a low risk to the public.

Per Capita Dairy Consumption at Historic Levels – USDA’s Economic Research Service reports Americans consumed more than 650 pounds of dairy per person in 2024. Butter consumption is at all-time high of 6.8 pounds per person. Yogurt consumption rose six percent to 14.5 pounds per person. Cottage cheese, at 2.4 pounds per person, is at levels not seen since 2009. Total cheese consumption was unchanged from the previous year, while milk consumption saw a modest decline.

Hennepin County Opts for Plant-Based Food Options – Minnesota’s Hennepin County has adopted an administrative policy requiring the serving of plant-based food at all county-sponsored meetings and events. While plant-based options are the new standard, meat and dairy products remain available if requested. Minnesota AgriGrowth responded with a letter of opposition to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. In addition to the message it sends, AgriGrowth is upset that the county worked with the activist group, Mercy for Animals, to develop the policy change. With this decision, AgriGrowth is moving all future events, including its fall summit, out of Hennepin County.

Uncertainty Widens Buyer-Seller Divide – A year ago, the average value for American Crystal Sugar Company stock was $5,540 per share. “If we look at this year, there was certainly a disappointing (ACSC beet) payment; to top that off, we had a long, drawn-out harvest and I think, in general, there’s a lot of guys trying to figure out what to do for next year,” said Acres and Shares President Jayson Menke. “So at this point, we’ve had a total of three sales right around $4,200/$4,250 per share; there certainly seems to be a gap between where buyers and sellers are. We just really haven’t found a groove yet.” Buyers and sellers remain far apart, but in a thinly-traded market, Menke says that could change quickly.

Tractor and Combine Sales Down – U.S. sales of farm equipment fell sharply in November. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, tractor sales dropped nearly 20 percent, while combine sales fell 35 percent compared to last year. In Canada, combine sales rose 25 percent, but tractor sales slipped seven percent. While sales are down in the short term, AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades said equipment makers remain committed to providing tools that improve efficiency and long-term value, and the industry’s overall strength remains solid as 2026 approaches.

USDA Begins Final Phase of 2025 Farm Finance Survey – Beginning later this month, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will collect farm financial data as part of the final phase of the 2025 Agricultural Resource Management Survey. The survey gathers information on farm economics to help guide local and federal policy decisions. This phase includes detailed questions on production costs and expenses for cotton, hog, and broiler operations. NASS says interviewers will begin contacting non-respondents in February and emphasizes that all information provided is confidential under federal law.

MFU Minute – In the MFU Minute, Minnesota Farmers Union Anti-Monopoly Director Justin Stofferahn recaps a recent webinar on antitrust, price-fixing and more. Click here to learn more.

November Inflation Eases – Inflation in November eased unexpectedly, with consumer prices rising 2.7 percent from the previous year, below the 3.1 percent forecast. The report’s data gaps, caused by the government shutdown that lasted until November 12, limited price collection and forced the Labor Department to use workarounds, making economists cautious about reading too much into the numbers. Core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy costs, increased 2.6 percent, also below expectations.

Farm Labor Shortage Drives Higher Food Prices Nationwide – The current farm labor shortage is impacting production across America. Grow It Here, a coalition of US farmers focused on advocacy and education, hosted a webinar on the impact of the labor shortage and its effects on food prices. “When you have a decrease in the labor supply, that’s going to put upward pressure on farm wages,” says Michigan State Assistant Professor of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics Zach Rutledge. “It’s going to reduce domestic production and reduce the supply of goods that are produced here in the US, and ultimately, when we look nationally, a reduced supply of production means will put upward pressure on food prices. When you have a ten percent reduction in farm employment, that causes an almost three percent increase in food prices in aggregate across the US.”

Vaden: Minnesota ‘in a Category by Itself’ on SNAP Fraud – Minnesota’s fraud scandal has made national headlines. It also has the attention of Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden. In an exclusive interview with the Red River Farm Network, Vaden said Minnesota is in a category by itself when it comes to fraud. “It’s so bad that you have state employees who are taking to X to point out that there is no one manning the ship there in Minnesota,” said Vaden. “Minnesota has, for reasons known only to itself, refused to turn over the SNAP participant data that 28 other states have voluntarily provided to the USDA, and with which we are working with those 28 cooperating states in order to identify fraud.” SNAP comes under the purview of USDA. The Agriculture Department is requiring Minnesota to go through a recertification process in four counties in the Twin City metro area to make sure all SNAP recipients meet all of the eligibility requirements. That includes in-person interviews that must be conducted within the next 30 days. In the interview with the Red River Farm Network, Vaden also addressed the Farmer Bridge Assistance program and the farm economy. Click here to listen to the full interview. 

Open to Ideas to Help Farmers – After hearing from farmers and others in an online Senate hearing Thursday, State Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead said it is obvious that farmers are hurting. The DFL’er said the Legislature is open to new ideas to support agriculture. “There’s a small surplus within this biennium so there is a little bit of money there. We also have a rainy day fund. We need to be diligent because potentially going forward into some of the outyears, we may be at a little deficit if spending continues on the trends it is in so we’ll need to be careful there, but certainly, if we see that farmers that are hurting, if there’s something we can do tangible to help, I think we’ll make that effort.”

The Personal Toll of Farm Stress – Kittson County Commissioner Theresa Gillie told Minnesota lawmakers that federal actions and rising costs are creating severe stress for farmers and rural communities. Speaking at a Senate hearing, Gillie described the ongoing struggles in the ag markets and highlighted the personal toll of economic pressures. “When I was elected president of Minnesota Soybean Growers back in 2016, three out of every five rows of soybeans went out to the Pacific Northwest and were sold to China,” testified Gillie. “Even with the talks of tariffs back in 2017, our buyers started looking elsewhere.” As a result, markets fell dramatically. “My husband and I talked about stopping farming, but one morning, my husband killed himself; I live with that every day.” Gillie also stressed the financial pressures on younger farmers and the broader community, citing rising health insurance and fertilizer costs, as well as the strain on local services. Gillie called for stronger support for Farm Business Management, rural mental health counselors, and state mediation programs to help farmers navigate these challenges.

Farmers Lean on State Programs – Big Stone County Farmers Union President Peter Schwagerl told Minnesota lawmakers that ongoing federal trade uncertainty is adding financial strain to farm operations already facing tight margins. “Federal policy has emphasized the feeling of uncertainty that has been following us around all year,” Schwagerl said. “The wild swings in tariff policy or even threats of changes to tariff policy have very real consequences to our farm.” Schwagerl said tariffs on steel have pushed farm equipment prices higher, while trade tensions with Canada have driven up fertilizer costs tied to potash supplies. At the same time, trade disputes with China have pressured soybean prices, leaving crops stored and unsold. Schwagerl said farmers are increasingly relying on state programs such as Farm Business Management, Farmer Lender Mediation, and conservation initiatives to survive another year of uncertainty.

A Record Crop on Deck – South America’s soybean planting season is nearly complete.  Ag consultant Kory Melby says the weather has helped with planting, crop progress and even some early-season harvesting. “Brazil is basically 100 percent planted at the moment. They’ve had good rains the past two or three weeks and the crops are looking good. A record crop is on deck, and harvest has started in a few isolated spots in Montenegro.”

Winter Storm Brings Dangerous Winds to ND, MN – Roads around the region were impacted as strong winds and snow moved through on Thursday. The North Dakota Department of Transportation closed parts of Interstate 29 for portions of the day, saying winds were strong enough to snap a gate used to close the interstate. Peak wind gusts reached 72 mph near Beltrami, Minnesota, 67 mph in Grand Forks, and 64 mph near Mallory and Donaldson, Minnesota.

Soil Fertility Minute – In the Soil Fertility Minute from the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council, University of Minnesota Extension Educator Tarah Young discusses hybrid winter rye nitrogen management. “We found that spring nitrogen applications are far more important than the fall applications,” said Young. Find more details at this link.

Soil Health Equipment Grants Available – The interest in Minnesota’s Water Quality Certification Program continues to grow. Minnesota Agriculture Department Agricultural Conservation Services Manager Brad Redlin says there is also demand for its grant program for buying soil health equipment. “We go from drones to no-till drills to strip-till rigs, you name it,” said Redlin. “That has been quite popular because federal programs prohibit money for machinery, so it’s always just been this untapped need out there.”

SBARE Seeks Public Input – North Dakotans are being asked to share their thoughts on the state’s most critical agricultural research and education needs. The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, or SBARE, seeks public input to help guide recommendations to the legislature and governor on how NDSU Extension and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station can address priorities and maximize the state’s investment.  SBARE will use input from stakeholders and individuals to prepare recommendations for the 2027 legislative session. Written submissions are due by January 5.

Producers Eye More Sunflowers After Successful 2025 Season – 2025 was a good year for sunflowers, with acreage doubling across the country from 2024 levels. National Sunflower Association Executive Director John Sandbakken expects acres to increase again in ’26. “They’re looking at what’s going to be profitable for next year, and most people made really good money, and they’re looking to probably maintain acreage and maybe even add a few more acres.” Sandbakken says there are a lot of sunflower options for growers heading into next season. “High oleic sunflower on the oil side is probably one of your best bets because you can sell it into the crush market and can also sell it as bird food. NuSun is going to be limited. The crush plants are not buying NuSun seeds anymore; however, the bird food market is very good for that, so there’s still that possibility.”

AgriSafe Spotlighted Farmer Health at Ag Day – Farmers and ranchers at Central Dakota Ag Day heard from Tara Maus with AgriSafe about the health and safety challenges inherent in agriculture. “Farmers typically don’t go in until it’s a life or death situation. A lot of times, when a farmer comes in because their spouse told them to, we know it’s pretty urgent or if they come in on their own, then we know we need to call all hands on deck,” Maus said. She shared a story of an elderly farmer who, after falling and breaking his femur, crawled to his pickup, drove himself to the ER, and only afterward contacted his wife. Mental health was another key topic at the event. Maus highlighted the strain of farm life and the alarming rates of suicide among farmers. “Many farms are usually all family, and so sometimes when you’re working with your loved ones so closely, it can cause a lot of mental stress.” Maus encouraged farmers to access AgriSafe’s online directory which connects them with over 50 trained professionals for resources on mental health, chemical exposure, and other risks.

Canola Minute – In the latest edition of Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman recaps the recent research conference. Click here to listen. 

Big Bushels Helped, But Input Costs Were a SD Trouble Spot – Reflecting on 2025, South Dakota Corn Growers Association Executive Director DaNita Murray said it was a mixed year. “Certainly, the cost of inputs is not great, (but) some of our folks were able to kind of yield their way out of that with extra bushels to help mitigate some of that per-acre margin,” said Murray. “That was the good part of 2025; unfortunately, the downside was again those input prices. They were eyewatering, quite frankly.” Looking ahead to next year, SDCGA will be focusing on property tax issues at the state level. , as well as health issues and the MAHA movement. At the federal level, “we are going to be very watchful regarding the demonization of agricultural products that is occurring through MAHA.”

More Acres Devoted to Short-Stature Corn – This past year, Bayer had 85,000 acres of short-stature corn in production. The company’s innovation and launch lead, Lindsay Battle, says that it will be expanded to 200,000 acres in 2026. Standability is seen as a major benefit. “With the shorter stature, and it actually has a little bit of a wider stalk, it’s really helping the plant stay upright,” said Battle. “You can also plant at higher densities and still have that standability, which is huge when you really think about yield potential.” Another benefit of short-stature corn is the flexibility it provides when managing the crop. “This year, when you have a terrible disease pressure year, as we saw with southern rust and some other things coming up, you can get in the field later.” Battle said the initial work on short-stature corn is being concentrated on the core Cornbelt with maturities of 102 to 118 days.

MN Corn Matters – In Minnesota Corn Matters, Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council Chair John Mages explains the corn checkoff investment. Click here to hear from Mages. 

Making Hybrid Decisions for ’26 – In addition to yield, farmers are looking at disease management when evaluating corn hybrids for 2026. Brevant Retail Business Manager Kaitlyn York says a lot can be learned from this past growing season.”2025 was a wild year for a lot of our growers; they faced a lot of challenges with disease pressure.” With tight margins, farmers will be weighing every decision closely. “It comes down to evaluating what you’re after in your hybrid and your yield goal,” said York. “Also, how do we eliminate risk and provide solutions and options when it comes to herbicide flexibility or disease.”

A Focus on Nutrient-Use Efficiency – With continued tight profit margins in 2026, Koch Agronomic Services Director of Agronomy Tim Latsch says nutrient-use efficiency must be a priority. “A couple of things I would encourage farmers to think about, one would be phosphorus use efficiency.; What tools can I employ to get the most out of the phosphorus that’s already in my soil?” said Latsch. “The second would be seed enhancement. What tools can I employ to get the most out of the investment that I make in genetics?” Latsch says a new generation of seed treatments is available that helps optimize seed performance in the ground.

Micros Grow in Importance – Since 2024, Helena Agri-Enterprises has taken more than 600,000 soil samples across the United States. Helena National Agronomist Derek Emerine says the top four deficient nutrients were sulfur, zinc, boron, and manganese. Phosphorus and potassium rounded out the top six. “You go back four or five years ago, sulfur was in the top two, but also potassium was higher up on that list,” said Emerine. “I know within Helena and a lot of other agricultural retailers, there’s been a lot more talk about potassium in the last handful of years. We’re actually seeing that move down, but these micronutrients are coming up. We’ve had pretty high yields, in general, across the U.S. the last couple of years, and I think these micronutrients are starting to play a bigger role.”

AURI Ag Innovation News – In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, host Jamie Dickerman interviews Tom Smude, the owner of Smude Sunflower Oil. Smude shares his journey from a farming background to establishing a successful sunflower oil business. He discusses the challenges he faced, including market fluctuations and the need for consumer education about sunflower oil. Tom emphasizes the health benefits of cold-pressed oils and the importance of sustainability in his production process. He also shares insights into future plans for expanding his product offerings and market reach. Click here to watch the interview. 

UP-Norfolk Southern Merger Goes to STB – The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger has been officially filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The $85 billion deal is considered the largest railroad merger in history. The Rail Customer Coalition immediately responded, warning it would dramatically impact competition. Agricultural Retailer Association President and CEO Daren Coppock said farmers and ag retailers operate on razor-thin margins and this deal will drive up costs and threaten the reliability of the entire supply chain.

Hansen-Mueller Asset Sale to Finalized Today – The sale of assets from the Hansen-Mueller bankruptcy will be finalized in a hearing today in Nebraska. Kansas-based Redwood Group has been selected as a successful bidder on spring wheat and oat contracts in Grand Forks; a facility lease and oat contracts in Superior and Duluth and oat contracts in Sioux City. Redwood Group won the bid on business in Kansas City and Houston and railcar leases. North Dakota-based Paterson Grain has the winning bid on a facility lease and oat and barley contracts in Toledo, Ohio. A wheat facility in Sioux City and wheat contracts in Council Bluffs and Kansas City went to West Plains LLC. Hansen-Mueller filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month after failing to pay farmers for grain deliveries.

BASF to Spin Off Ag Solutions Business – BASF plans to spin off its agricultural business in the year ahead. The company announced its ag solutions business will be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in its home country of Germany. A management board, which includes four current BASF executives, will lead the new company through the transition into an independent and publicly listed company in May of 2026.

New Joint Venture Announced – Corteva and Hexagon Bio have formed a joint venture to develop new crop protection tools from nature. Hexagon Bio’s platform combines microbial genetics, artificial intelligence, chemistry and synthetic biology to identify novel natural products. This JV is Hexagon Bio’s first in the ag sector and Corteva’s first in the pharmaceutical industry.

New Adjuvant on the Market – Loveland Products has launched a new all-in-one adjuvant called Weather Gard Elite. It is designed to make spray applications simpler, more effective and easier to manage. Weather Gard Elite is a water conditioner integrating a drift reduction agent, a deposition aid, anti-foam/defoamer and a penetrant. It is available in totes for greater convenience and flexibility.

JBS, Tyson Reduce Beef Operations – The world’s largest meatpacker, JBS, is closing a beef processing facility outside Los Angeles. The company says its Swift Beef Company plant in Riverside, California, will shut down on February 2, eliminating 374 jobs. The facility processes beef for grocery stores, but does not slaughter cattle. Industry analysts say the closure comes amid tighter beef processing capacity across the U.S. Nearly a month ago,  Tyson Foods announced it was ending operations at a Nebraska plant and reducing shifts at a Texas facility.

Land O’Lakes Doubles Down on Hunger Relief Effort – Land O’Lakes announced a $1 million hunger relief investment to support rural communities heading into the holiday season. The funding will go to 15 Feeding America partner food banks across Land O’Lakes member-owner and employee regions, along with Feeding America nationally. CEO Beth Ford said the investment reflects growing demand at food banks, especially in rural areas.

Vive Crop Protection Adds Gibson and Yeager – Vive Crop Protection has announced two additions to its team. Russ Gibson is the new Great Lakes territory manager and Marie Yeager is a senior product manager. Gibson has ten years of industry experience at AMVAC, UPL, CHS and Valent USA. Most recently, Yeager managed the diamide and indoxcarb portfolio at FMC.

Bushel Adds Robran – Todd Robran is joining Fargo-based Bushel as its vice president of sales. Robran has been with Growers Edge for five years and most recently served as the chief commercial officer.

Hormel Foods Welcomes Levine – Hormel Foods named Jason Levine as its new chief marketing officer. Levine previously had a similar position at Mondelez International and held various leadership roles at Kraft Foods Group.

Callahan, Brashears, Selig Confirmed – Before packing up and leaving DC for the holidays, the Senate confirmed nominees for key roles at USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. Julie Callahan now moves into the role of chief agriculture negotiator in the trade office. Callahan is currently the assistant U.S. trade representative for agricultural affairs. Mindy Brashears is the new USDA undersecretary for food safety. She was in the same position during the first Trump Administration. The Senate also confirmed Michael Selig as chairman and commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Most recently, Selig was chief counsel in the SEC’s cryptocurrency task force.

AFBF Names Government Relations Director – Autumn Lankford Higgins is the new government affairs director for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Most recently, she was in a similar capacity for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Before that, Lankford Higgins was with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Corn Yield Contest Winners to be Recognized at Commodity Classic – A familiar name has the top yield in the National Corn Growers Association Corn Yield Contest. Virginia farmer David Hula has won the contest multiple times and this year had a winning yield of over 572 bushels per acre with a Pioneer hybrid. Among the state winners, Tony Meyr of Jackson, Minnesota, had the state’s top yield at over 325 bushels per acre with a Dekalb hybrid. In North Dakota, the overall top yield was 316 bushels per acre. It was a Pioneer hybrid grown by Chad Vander Vorst of Pollock, North Dakota. For South Dakota, Scott McKee of Hawarden was the overall winner with 317 bushels per acre with a Pioneer hybrid. The complete list of national winners can be found at this link.   Click here to see the entire list of state winners.

SD Corn Comments – In this edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, Jim Wooster offers a message of thanks and Merry Christmas. Click the link to listen. 

NSA Board Re-Elects Officers – The National Sunflower Association board of directors has re-elected its officers. Chuck Todd, a producer from Onida, South Dakota, was re-elected as president. Tom Kirkmeyer of Brighton, Colorado, will continue as board chairman. Josh Greff of Regent, North Dakota, was re-elected as first vice president, and Tom Dowdle of Kennedy, Minnesota, was re-elected as second vice president. Lacey Zahradka of Archer Daniels Midland was re-elected as secretary-treasurer.

NDSU Foundation Announces Alumni Award Recipients – The NDSU Foundation has announced the 2026 Foundation Alumni Award recipients. The honorees are long-time NDSU Animal Science faculty member Dr. Paul Berg, University of Idaho Professor of Rangeland Ecology Dr. Karen Launchbaugh, Midan Marketing co-founder Michael Uetz and Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Executive Director Robbie Lauf. The award presentation will be in April.

Galen to Retire at the End of the Month – After 28 years with the National Milk Producers Federation, Chris Galen is retiring. Most recently, Galen was the senior vice president of member services and governance. He also serves as the executive director of the American Butter Institute. Previously, Galen was the communications lead for National Milk. When he joined the organization in 1997, the dairy industry was undergoing federal order reform. “At that time in the federal wars, a lot of people thought, this will be the last big dairy battle. This will be the last battle over federal orders. The program’s just too anachronistic and we’re fighting a battle with swords and with horses and the cavalry, and it won’t be applicable in the 21st century. And yet here we are with what happened last year. We updated the federal order system and it’s still basically the same program that we were updating back in 1998 and ’99.” In Galen’s words, history doesn’t rhyme, but it echoes, meaning there have been many recurring issues in the long history of the U.S. dairy industry. Galen’s retirement takes effect at the end of the month.

Taylor Announces Retirement Plans – North Dakota Mill President and CEO Vance Taylor plans to retire on July 3, 2026. Vance has been in that role for over 25 years, the longest serving president in the 103-year history of the North Dakota Mill. The North Dakota Industrial Commission made the announcement, saying “under Vance’s leadership the North Dakota Mill continued to innovate, expand and generate record profits.” A nationwide search will be taken for the next president and chief executive officer. The North Dakota Mill is the only state-owned mill in the United States.