Senate Takes First Move on Budget Reconciliation – The Senate Budget Committee will mark up its budget resolution on Wednesday and Thursday. Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham released the text of this plan Friday afternoon. The Agriculture Committee is charged with finding at least $1 billion in budget savings. Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar responded, saying these cuts will hurt farmers, ranchers and rural areas. According to Klobuchar’s statement, these cuts are “a bad idea” at a time when higher tariffs will reduce markets and add input costs for farmers and ranchers.

Farm Bill to be Tied to Budget Reconciliation – To complete a farm bill in 2025, Informa Economics Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer expects the legislation will be tied to the budget reconciliation package. Under budget reconciliation, Senate Republicans only need a majority vote and Vice President J.D. Vance can break the tie. “On the House side, you still have those rebel Republicans who for some reason, like the deficit situation or some policy embodied in the budget reconciliation, will vote no,” said Wiesemeyer. “President Trump is going to knock some heads together to get it because he knows the Republicans have to deliver; they have to show that they can govern.” A significant increase in reference prices is anticipated for the farm bill. Wiesemeyer, who spoke at the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, said the sugar industry is looking for an increase in the sugar loan rate and an opportunity for revenue insurance for sugarbeets. Listen to RRFN’s interview.

Senate Ag Committee Hears Calls for Stronger Farm Safety Net – In the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the farm economy. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke about the need for an updated farm bill to help farmers during tough economic times. “The USDA’s most recent farm sector income forecast has shown a $41 billion decrease in net farm income, down 25 percent from 2022,” testified Duvall. “Despite lower prices, 2024 payments out of the farm bill going to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982.” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew echoed those thoughts. “We cannot afford a third extension of the 2018 Farm Bill; this farm bill should include strengthening the farm safety net and providing farmers with robust risk management tools, investing in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, supporting the next generation of farmers, and keeping the farm bill coalition together.”

Urgent Need for Farm Bill Renewal – American Soybean Association Chairman Josh Gackle testified at the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing about the current state of the ag economy. “The administration announced tariffs, now delayed for 30 days, that if ultimately put into place, will cause an unnecessary trade war with Mexico, Canada, and China, three of our largest agriculture trading partners,” said the Kulm, North Dakota grower. “I want to emphasize the U.S. soybean industry is still dealing with long-term negative impacts from the last trade war in 2018.” American Sugarbeet Growers Association Vice President Tim Deal also participated in the hearing. “This hearing is timely because many farmers across the country, including sugar producers, are struggling under tough economic conditions. What we need most is a new five-year farm bill to provide certainty for production decisions and financial management of our farms.” Deal farms at Doran, Minnesota.

USAID: A First-Person Perspective – The global workforce of the U.S. Agency for International Development has been placed on administrative leave. This move is part of the Trump Administration’s plan to cut costs and streamline the government. Lani Jordan is a Minnesotan who has spent the last eight years as an expert volunteer consultant for USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer program. She says USAID makes the United States stronger by creating stable democracies around the world. “We have trading partners and allies as opposed to people we to deal with who may not be our friends,” said Jordan. “If we don’t do this, China and others will step in and that weakens us as the U.S.” Through her work with USAID, Jordan worked with farmers and small businesses on economic development in Moldova, Ghana, Malawi and Tunisia. Jordan supports a systematic approach to reviewing all of these programs and projects. “I hope supportive folks in Congress can have those conversations with the Administration and we can move back from what looks like a short-signed slash-and-burn approach to something that can save the best of these programs that have been built over a better part of eight decades.” Listen to the full interview.

McGovern-Dole, Food for Progress Programs Continue – Humanitarian food donations through the U.S. Agency for International Development are at risk, but that’s not the case for USDA. Foreign Agricultura Service Administrator Daniel Whitley released a statement saying projects funded by the McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress programs are continuing. Whitley said these projects are feeding hungry people around the world and creating demand for U.S. agricultural products.

Pause – After conversations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, President Donald Trump agreed to pause the proposed tariffs for at least 30 days. Both countries agreed to take action to stop the movement of fentanyl into the United States.

No Winners in a Trade War – The one-month pause on tariffs of Mexican products entering the U.S. is being met with praise from agriculture groups. South Dakota Corn Growers Association Executive Director Danita Murray said any trade war with Mexico would hurt South Dakotan farmers. “Mexico is incredibly important,” said Murray. “We have a geographic advantage, as you can imagine, and we don’t have that when all of a sudden you have to ship corn across an ocean.” While tariffs can be an effective tool in trade negotiations, Murray wonders if they’re the most effective way to fix trade issues. “Is a broad sweeping tariff the correct tactic or the correct way to fix whatever needs to be fixed with certain sectors? I think that is a real question.”

Reciprocal Tariff Strategy Coming – President Donald Trump is expected to announce a 25 percent tariff on all imported steel and aluminum today. During an event with the Japanese prime minister Friday, Trump said he would also impose reciprocal tariffs “where a country pays charges us so much and we do the same so very reciprocal.” Trump said reciprocal tariffs are the fair way to handle trade.

USTR Nominee Defends Tariff Strategy – President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. trade representative defended the administration’s tariff policy during his confirmation hearing. Jamieson Greer, who was the chief of staff for former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, said the United States needs to use all of its tools to expand markets. Greer also said China didn’t meet all of the obligations of the Phase One trade agreement and enforcement protocols need to be utilized.

MFU Voices Opposition to New Tariffs – Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish is opposed to across-the-board tariffs. Wertish said farmers haven’t fully recovered from the tariffs imposed during the first Trump administration and it creates uncertainty in the marketplace.

Mexico Lifts Biotech Corn Ban – The Mexican government has ended its ban on U.S. biotech corn. This follows a December decision by a USMCA panel that found Mexico’s action was not based on science and violates the free trade agreement. The U.S. Office of the Trade Representative welcomed the announcement, saying it will continue to monitor Mexico’s compliance. Mexico is the #1 export market for U.S. corn.

More Bilateral Trade Agreements on the Way – In the view of American Sugar Alliance trade consultant Casey Bean, the Trump Administration will return the emphasis on bilateral trade agreements over the next four years. “If you look at President Trump’s America First trade policy, it doesn’t even mention the World Trade Organization; I think that’s telling,” said Bean. “The first country discussed by President Trump out of the blocks was Colombia where I served for four years. That’s an indication of how quickly and efficiently an administration can deal with a country to advocate for their interests. The USMCA is a pluralateral and I think China is next; the really big bilateral will be with China.” Before joining the American Sugar Alliance, Bean spent 30 years with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

Geopolitics and American Agriculture – President Donald Trump’s America First agenda may be seen as isolationist, but, geopolitical specialist Jacob Shapiro disagrees. “I think he’s going to be more imperialist,” said Shapiro. “The early returns on the Trump presidency is he’s using discreet levers of economic, political and even military influence and he’s having some success.” Shapiro, who kicked off the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo, said this is a time for farmers to be optimistic. “I see a lot of change and volatility, which to me translates into a lot of opportunity so if you’re thinking about expansion, expand; if you’re thinking about new technology, do that investment now; if you’re thinking succession, now is the time to do that.” For the next few years, Shapiro encouraged the audience to think like an entrepreneur first and a farmer second. Listen to the interview.

Lawmakers Urge EPA to Support American Biofuels – A bipartisan group of nearly 30 House members sent a letter to the new Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, highlighting the importance of homegrown biofuels. The lawmakers also asked the EPA to eliminate regulatory barriers for year-round E15. From this region, the letter was signed by Representatives Angie Craig, Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad of Minnesota and Dusty Johnson of South Dakota.

Weather and Politics Lead to Market Volatility – The grain markets are on a roller coaster ride to start 2025. “There’s just a lot of moving parts here,” said NDSU Extension Economist Frayne Olson. “I always remind everybody that the two biggest things we don’t know are weather and politics and it sure seems like both of those are taking front and center stage here.” There is some reason for optimism. “Our U.S. balance sheets are a little tighter, our ending stocks are down a little bit from what we thought they were going to be before our export pace has been pretty good, in particular for corn.” Olson’s advice for farmers during such volatile times is simple; know your break-evens and the price points where you’d be willing to sell and “put the orders in ahead of time.”

Understand the Value That is in Front of You – The January supply/demand report delivered a surprise for the corn and soybeans. Total Farm Marketing Senior Market Advisor Naomi Blohm says that gave the market a reason to rally. Another USDA report will be released on Tuesday. “Producers, you need to be thinking about the value that’s in front of you,” said Blohm. “We are at a critical juncture. If we have no trade war drama, if these countries agree to buy more agricultural products, if there’s a weather issue in South America, if there’s a weather issue in the United States, we’ve got a reason for prices to rally, but if those things don’t come to fruition, this is a really good price point.” Blohm was part of the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo in West Fargo.

What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets – In the latest episode of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson cites gold as ‘hot.’ “Gold is the one taking the lime light right now and that is a little concerning because people usually buy gold when there is uncertainty.” Wheat was also recognized for its strength. Soybeans are in the ‘not hot’ category. Listen to the report.

Disappointing Stats Can Report – Statistics Canada released its December 31 grain and oilseed stocks in all positions report Friday. Canola stocks of 11.4 million metric tons are down 19 percent from a year ago. All wheat stocks of 24.5 million tonnes are up one percent from a year ago. “It was expected at 23 (million tons) so that’s really disappointing,” said Kristi Van Ahn, Van Ahn and Company. “Last year was 20.6 million tons; there’s a lot more wheat in Canada than expected.” Durum stocks are up 13 percent from a year ago at 3.6 million metric tons.

Farm Bill Optimism – Policy is a priority for the American Sugarbeet Growers Association. Kindred, North Dakota farmer Darren Hoyme is a member of the ASGA board and is optimistic about the farm bill. “I’d like to bet 100 percent that we’re going to get it done this year,” said Hoyme. “Once things get settled out in Washington, maybe by this summer, it could get started.”

U.S. Sugar Industry Monitoring Tariff Threat – If across-the-board tariffs were imposed on Mexico, the U.S. sugar industry would feel the impact. Trade attorney Robert Cassidy spoke at the American Sugarbeet Growers Association meeting, saying Mexico is the single largest foreign supplier of sugar to the United States. “It is supplied under the so-called suspension agreements, under the anti-dumping countervailing duty law, and a 25 percent duty would make it very hard for the Mexican suppliers to comply with the minimum price requirements in the agreements,” said Cassidy. “It might make it too expensive for anybody to buy the sugar. We could see our major supplier greatly diminish or conceivably even disappear on short notice.” Cassidy said that scenario would send the U.S. scrambling because there isn’t enough sugar produced domestically.

Navigating Turbulent Times – The Trump Administration is making a lot of big, quick decisions. Rather than focus on the turbulent times, American Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Vice President Luther Markwart encouraged his members “to take a deep breath and we will navigate through all of this.” The farm bill is in the immediate spotlight. “The CBO just noted the new baseline for agriculture spending will be $1.4 trillion which means the farm bill will be more expensive.” By late April, Congress is expected to determine where to make budget cuts or invest in additional spending. On the regulatory front, ASGA is concentrating on endangered species and potential mitigation requirements. “We’re getting a lot of comments into EPA to say what you’re suggesting can be very detrimental to production agriculture.”

Monarch Butterfly Alert – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has suggested adding the Monarch Butterfly to the ‘threatened species’ category. American Sugarbeet Growers Association Vice President of Science and Innovation Nick Storer said the courts directed the USFWS to make a decision on how to preserve the Monarch Butterfly. “By the end of 2025, they will finalize how they’d like to protect Monarch butterflies. We’re hoping they’ll either withdraw the threatened status proposal or at least allow normal agricultural practices to occur without any kind of penalty or restrictions.”

Prices Haven’t Kept Up With Input Costs – A slowdown in the farm economy continues. “The pressure is coming from the input side,” said American Sugarbeet Growers Association President Neil Rockstad. “If we backed the clock up ten years, we’d probably be in good shape, but our prices haven’t kept up with input costs plain and simple.” At the ASGA Annual Meeting, Rockstad said that places more importance on a new farm bill. “I know Congress has a lot of things happening, but I’m kind of tired of that argument because we’re just pawns waiting, waiting and waiting. The farm bill is certainly top of mind.”

Sharing Ideas – Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association President Brent Baldwin participated in the American Sugarbeet Growers Association annual meeting in San Diego. Baldwin sees this meeting as an opportunity to share ideas with other sugarbeet farmers. “Whether it be processing or planting, it’s a good place to get together and share our ideas and thoughts.” Baldwin farms near St. Thomas, North Dakota. “We had a great crop this year. We dried out early, caught some rain at the end of August and into September and the crop finished off well.”

Beet Stock Values – According to Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke, 213 American Crystal Sugar Company beet shares were brokered last week at $5,500 per share.

Adding Value to North Dakota Corn – According to North Dakota Corn Council Chair Carson Klosterman, ethanol remains an important market. “We really want to get E15 year-round and maybe even mid-levels up to E30,” said Klosterman. “If we could get that, that would be a way to grind through a lot of this corn. USDA is backing off on the 2024 production. There’s corn out in the grain bins that need to get hauled to town and, hopefully, we can turn that into ethanol and ethanol by-products.”

In a Better Place – China is an important market for U.S. soybeans, but the U.S. is facing some headwinds. “Compared to the last time we went through a trade dispute with China, we’ve now built two crush plants in North Dakota with a third one still hopefully working through that process,” said Justin Sherlock, president, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. “We have new marketing opportunities in North Dakota that we didn’t have even just a few years ago.”

Farm Equipment Decisions – Sticker shock can be a reality when purchasing a piece of farm equipment, but Wolford, North Dakota farmer Chris Brossart encourages others to drill down those numbers. “You’re looking at a combine that’s one million dollars, right? It’s a huge check to write, but you need to look at what that machine really cost you per acre,” said Brossart. “If you can put all those efficiencies that you can gain from a newer machine or a little different technology, you can start to get some payback on that. In return, that should bring some profit back to your farm as well.” Brossart was part of a panel discussion with representatives of the farm equipment business at the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo. Listen to the interview.

Surge in Egg Prices Due to More Than H5N1 – According to a new report from CoBank, avian influenza is not the only reason egg prices have skyrocketed. The report said the demand for cage-free eggs has outpaced supplies in recent years. More than 120 million of the table egg layers in commercial flocks are from cage-free production systems. That compares to just 30 million in 2015.

A New Turn in H5N1 Saga – A new strain of avian influenza has been identified in dairy cattle. USDA reports genome sequencing of a milk sample from Nevada confirmed the new strain of the virus. Before this detection, all of the avian influenza infections in dairy cattle were the same strain. This new case is a strain that primarily has been found in wild birds this past winter and fall.

Optimism High Amid Record Cattle Prices – Cattle producers from across the country gathered in San Antonio for CattleCon 2025, an event filled with optimism as beef demand surges and prices reach record highs. “The prices are just amazing,” said Buck Wehrbein, NCBA’s newly-elected president. “Those of us that have been around for a while, our mouths are just gaped open; this is going to allow our cow-calf guys to get healed up financially and get some good work done.” Wehrbein credited strong beef demand, good genetics, and responsible animal husbandry for the current market strength. However, he cautioned producers to prepare for the inevitable market correction. “The cure for high prices is high prices,” Wehrbein noted. “It doesn’t look like the downturn will happen soon since we’re not building the herd back, but it will happen eventually.”

Policy Action Taken by NCBA Executive Committee – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Committee has approved its policy priorities. That list includes key provisions in the House Agriculture Committee-passed farm bill, tax cuts and regulatory reform.

Policy Progress Ahead – Strong markets have cattle producers excited. “There is a buzz here at CattleCon that we have not seen in quite some time,” said Colin Woodall, CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He pointed to record cattle prices and hopes for reduced regulations as key factors driving producer confidence. One major policy focus is the long-delayed farm bill, which Woodall believes could finally happen this year. “I don’t think it’s going to be easy and I sure don’t think it’s going to be fast.” A top priority is funding for the Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank.

Hope Remains for Farm Bill and Trade Decisions – The farm bill was a popular topic at CattleCon. Jason Leiseth, immediate past president, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, acknowledged the farm policy delays but remained hopeful. “We look forward to the last half of the year to make some progress and get a farm bill in place.” The potential impact of tariffs was also discussed. Leiseth noted the uncertainty but saw tariffs as a strategic tool. “If we can continue to use them as tactics for negotiation, the impact on producers should be minimal,” however avoiding long-term tariffs would be the best outcome for the industry.

Disaster Payment Concerns – At the Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association President Jake Thompson spoke out about disaster payments. Thompson explained some producers who qualified for drought relief through the ERP2 program were later asked to return a portion of the funds. “The FSA gave the money out, but then said, ‘sorry, you didn’t have every acre underinsured,'” Thompson said. “We just felt that wasn’t right.” Thompson emphasized that this issue is particularly concerning for forage crops like alfalfa, which are harder to insure. “There’s not a lot of great avenues for insurance for that,” he said. “When you’re raising alfalfa, it’s about producing high-quality feed, not just yield.”

NCBA Calls for Better Traceability – Cattle producers are keeping a close watch on the threat of foreign animal diseases. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President-elect Gene Copenhaver stressed the importance of preparedness. “I’m not sure we are prepared,” he admitted. “I think we need a better traceability program.”  While current risk management programs help stabilize the industry, Copenhaver believes more can be done to protect against potential outbreaks. “If we do have a large outbreak of something that could affect the whole industry, we need a plan in place.”

CattleCon Brings Industry Together for a Common Goal – CattleCon brought together producers from across the country to discuss the future of the beef industry. For North Dakota Stockman’s Association Vice President Tim Erbele, it was his first time at the event and he’s impressed. “It’s amazing the number of people here with a common goal—to better the beef industry, keep it sustainable, and keep it profitable.” Erbele emphasized industry challenges remain. “We’ve got ag policy, transportation, labor issues, border policies, and animal disease traceability, all critical issues we’re working on,” Erbele also highlighted the importance of the beef checkoff.

Targeted Marketing: Making Beef Reach the Right Audience – The Federation of State Beef Councils is a collective of 45 state councils that manage the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff, supporting projects that boost the beef industry. Travis Maddock, who is the vice chair, said the organization has two main objectives. “The first purpose is it allows the aggregation of checkoff dollars into larger pools so that when larger projects come along we can make a bigger impact,” Maddock said. “The second part is it also allows states like North Dakota, which have more cattle than people, to get their dollars where it can do the most good.”  Maddock also highlights the success of using checkoff funds to tell beef’s story, especially through targeted digital marketing. “Our ability to target certain consumers through digital media outreach is making a huge impact,” he says. By tailoring ads to specific audiences, the Federation ensures that beef reaches the right consumers, whether it’s health-conscious millennials or older individuals with more disposable income. Maddock is a member of the North Dakota Beef Commission.

Carrington Dairy Wins NCBA Award – The Van Bedaf Dairy in Carrington, Noth Dakota, won the Beef Quality Assurance Dairy Farm award from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Petr Van Bedaf, president of dairy operations, called it “an incredible honor” and said he is “really proud to represent the dairy industry here.” Lisa Peterson, beef quality assurance specialist, NDSU, emphasized its broader impact. “This is not only an award for the Van Bedafs, but it’s an award for the North Dakota dairy industry and our North Dakota Beef Quality Assurance Program.”

Direct Payments Key to Farm Income Growth in 2025 – Net cash farm income for the calendar year 2025 is forecast at $193.7 billion, up 22 percent from 2024. Net farm income is forecast at $180.1 billion, up 29.5 percent from the prior year. “When you look at net cash farm income and net farm income, it’s not from cash receipts we’re seeing that jump in farm income,” said Seth Meyer, chief economist, USDA. “It’s from direct government payments.” Major crop commodity cash receipts are expected to decline.

Farmer Optimism Continues to Rise – The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer showed farmer sentiment edged higher in January. “Farmers have retained most of the optimism that was generally associated with the fall 2024 election,” said Purdue University Extension Economist Jim Mintert. “In September the barometer was at a reading of 88, got as high as 145 in November and now we’re at 141, so a lot of that optimism is still there.” Farmers remain hopeful about the future. “Probably the single biggest driver was the fact that commodity prices, especially for corn and soybeans, rose from December to January.”

COOL Bill Reintroduced – A bill has been introduced in the Senate to reinstate country-of-origin labeling for beef. A bipartisan group of senators is co-sponsoring the bill, including South Dakota Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds and North Dakota Senator John Hoeven.

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Advances – The Senate Transportation Committee has approved the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This proposal was first introduced a year ago. It would require automobile manufacturers to include AM radio in their new vehicles. “It’s important to me and I think it is important to people in our part of the world because AM radio is a crucial source of news and emergency alerts,” said North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer. “It might shock some people to know that not everyone has a smartphone or a smart car or even wants one for that matter.” Listen to the RRFN story about the bill.

USDA South Building May be ‘For Sale’ – The Trump Administration is working with local officials to possibly spin off major government real estate for retail and residential development. According to the Washington Post, one of the buildings being considered for development is the USDA South Building. The Administration sees the building as underutilized and its location near the National Mall would be an opportunity for a new use.

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, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Climate Coordinator Kajsa Beatty talks about that new role. Click here to listen. 

Dry Conditions Persist – The fall season was the driest on record for the entire country. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that hasn’t changed over the winter months. “If you look at the numbers in the Red River Valley, there’s half of normal or less for season-to-date snowfall,” Rippey told RRFN. “If you combine the fact that we had the dry late summer and autumn and how much snow, we’ve got, a lot of areas in North Dakota are going to be short on soil moisture heading into spring planting unless we get a big change between now and April/May.” During an appearance at the Northern Corn and Soybean Expo, Rippey said that trend could continue into the growing season.

Managing SDS and BSR – Brown Stem Rot and Sudden Death Syndrome are causing serious economic losses in soybeans. University of Minnesota Extension Crop Disease Specialist Dean Malvick made that point at the Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research event. “Sudden Death Syndrom is relatively new to the state, 20 years in Minnesota and 2018 was the first year for it in North Dakota,” said Malvick. “Brown Stem Rot is hidden in some ways; we don’t always see it, yet it can take the top of the yield by five, ten, 15 percent and you don’t even know it is there.” Malvick said there were issues with both diseases this past year “and there was confusion in fields as to which was which.” Malvick was part of the Best of the Best meetings in Grand Forks and Moorhead.

IDC Strategies – Iron Deficiency Chlorosis was a significant issue in soybeans this past year due to the wet conditions. To combat IDC, NDSU Extension Agronomist Ana Carcedo wants farmers to know their fields. “Choosing the correct variety is the first line of action when we’re talking about IDC,” said Carcedo. “There’s other things that you can do, but it comes with a cost. There are chelates that you can put your field, but sometimes they are not cost-effective.”

MN Corn Matters – Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center Executive Director Warren Formo offers information about the 17th Annual Nutrient Management Conference in the latest edition of Minnesota Corn Matters. Click here.

Timing More Important Than Fungicide Selection – Wheat diseases were at their highest level in five years in 2024. Speaking at the Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research, NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Andrew Friskop said timing is critical for fungicide applications. “Our recommendation for scab timing is a seven-day window; it starts at early flowering and you have about seven days which is a huge win for us because Mother Nature can throw us curve balls.” The timing of the application may be even more important than fungicide selection. “Oftentimes, timing can be more artwork because not every wheat head is flowering at the same time and we have those logistical challenges that we go through.”

Fungicide Strategies for Cercospora Leaf Spot – At the 2025 Sugarbeet Growers Seminar in Grand Forks, University of Minnesota Plant Pathologist Ashok Chanda delivered a presentation about Cercospora leaf spot. Chanda said there is a new generation of beet varieties that have extreme tolerance to CLS.”In my own research trials, I’m seeing Cercospora leaf spot develop earlier and earlier and these are all inoculated artificially, which means it’s going to happen to the grower’s field as well. So you have to start spraying just before the row closure and then keep up with those intervals and rotate fungicides with different modes of action.”

North Dakota Legislative Report – In the latest North Dakota Legislative Report, North Dakota Farmers Union Government Relations Director Matt Perdue highlights the property tax debate happening in Bismarck. An equitable situation for agriculture is being advocated. A reminder, crossover happens at the end of this month. Listen to the report.

Property Tax Credit Proposal Supported at Committee Level – In Bismarck, the House Finance and Taxation Committee approved a bill to increase the state’s primary residence tax credit from $500 to $1,450. The bill does not address property tax adjustments for farmers and ranchers, but additional property tax proposals will be heard in the committee. If approved by the House Appropriations Committee, the bill would go to the full House for a vote.

A Quorum Again – After three weeks in limbo, the Minnesota House is back in session. DFL and Republican leadership reached an agreement Wednesday night. Republican Lisa Demuth will be the speaker for the next two years. Initially, Republicans will chair and have a one-vote majority in the committees. If the House is tied after the special election in March, there will be co-chairs with equal party representation on the committees. “We have a lot of work to get done,” said Demuth. “Representative (Melissa) Hortman and I have both agreed that we need to get this work done for the people of Minnesota on time. Even with Democrats staying out for 23 days, that is the intent that we have going forward.” For legislation to advance, there will need to be support from both sides. DFL Leader Melissa Hortman admits that may be a big lift. “I think we’re going to have to work to get to the point where we’re collaborating in a bipartisan way,” said Hortman. “Leader Demuth and I had a very positive relationship from November 5 through December 20, but things got rocky on December 23. I think we’ll be able to work together well, but it will take some time (since) everybody’s still pretty angry at each other.”

Canola Minute – In the latest Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman discusses the potential for canola acreage to be down a bit in 2025. That follows record acreage in 2024. Coleman also has insight into a new crop insurance provision. Listen to the report. 

Amity Technology Listens to Its Customers – Sugarbeet equipment is highly specialized. Amity Technology Sales Manager Mike Lundberg says the key to developing new features and products is hearing from farmers. “We’re visiting with farmers who are sharing their ideas and understanding what we’re doing in our part of the world and globally, looking for ways to increase our manufacturing capabilities to better support the American farmer.” Amity Technology has also branched into new markets with its Crop Chaser 1,000. “We’re trying to diversify our production.” Amity Technology was featured at the American Sugarbeet Growers Association annual convention.

Controlling Cercospora Leaf Spot – Vive Crop Protection introduced Phobos fungicide to provide enhanced Cercospora Leaf Spot protection. “It is showing better leaf coverage and it actually stays on the plant longer if you have a rain event,” said Vicki Dekkers, territory sales manager. “We’re able to make about 20 percent more of that product available with our technology.” Phobos uses patented nano-polymers for more uniform disease protection. “We’re the only ones in the market that have nano-technology to transform the original molecule into a new product that can do a better job.” Dekkers participated in the American Sugarbeet Growers Association annual meeting.

A Sales Bump for Corteva Brands – Despite less-than-ideal conditions, Corteva finished the fourth quarter with a sales increase of seven percent. Sales volume for the crop protection division rose 16 percent and the seed division enjoyed a sales volume increase of nearly 20 percent.

Poor Crush Margins Influence ADM Revenues – Archer Daniels Midland posted its lowest fourth-quarter revenues in six years. Poor crush margins and uncertainty over biofuel policy shoulder the blame. ADM plans to cut costs by $500 million to $750 million over the next three-to-five years.

Bunge’s 4Q Earnings Below Expectations – Bunge had net income of $602 million in the fourth quarter. That’s down from $616 million in the same quarter last year. Bunge’s core agribusiness segment was hurt by poor oilseed processing margins. Uncertainty over biofuels policy was also cited.

Efficient Tracking: The Power of RFID Technology – RFID technology is revolutionizing cattle management, offering producers a quick and accurate way to track and manage their animals. David McElhenney, Merck Animal Health, said it gathers essential data on each animal, including vaccines, shots, feed, and performance information. “What it does is help a person aggregate more data on that animal to help them access more market channels because that makes the data more transportable and easier to move to the next person in the chain.” The technology uses a chip,  which is read using handheld or stationary readers. Farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about the system can visit Merck.com.

JBS Expansion – JBS is expanding its Greeley, Colorado, beef processing plant. The $50 million project includes a state-of-the-art distribution center. Construction is expected to start this year.

A Game Changer for Hay Production – At CattleCon 25, John Deere launched the Weave Automation Baler. “The weaving is done by the baler itself, and you don’t have to do it in the tractor.” Kaylene Ballesteros, Deere’s go-to-market manager for hay and forage, said the Weave Automation Baler is designed to make the baling process easier. “We have the ability to look at the bale chamber and see how it’s filled. The baler uses technology to adjust the weaving automatically.” With AutoTrack sensors, the baler can operate with minimal learning, allowing operators to focus on driving straight over the windrow. For more information, visit Deere.com.

Red Trail Energy Sale Finalized – Gevo has completed its acquisition of Red Trail Energy’s ethanol plant and its carbon capture and sequestration assets. The Richardton, North Dakota facility will be expanded to produce sustainable aviation fuel. The purchase price was $210 million.

Proactive Approach to Red Crown Rot – A biological seed treatment called CeraMax will be available in 2025 in 11 states, including Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Red Crown Rot infects soybean seedlings in the first three weeks after germination. Yield losses can range from ten-to-80 percent. Ceradis Crop Protection developed this seed treatment and will be available from Direct Enterprises and WinField United

KROX is a NAFB Crystal Radio Award Finalist – The National Association of Broadcasters has announced 50 finalists for the 2025 NAB Crystal Radio Awards for outstanding community service. The list includes KROX-AM, Crookston, Minnesota. KROX is a Red River Farm Network affiliate.

Dry Bean Scene – In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, NDSU Extension dry bean breeder Juan Osorno highlights a new black bean variety called ND Galaxy. Listen to the report.

Combelic to Oversee ASA DC Office – The American Soybean Association promoted Alexa Combelic to lead its Washington, D.C.-based policy office as its next executive director of government affairs. Combelic joined the ASA staff five years ago as its government affairs director. Combelic previously worked as a congressional staffer.

Paplow at the Wheel for USCHI in ’25 – Paul Paplow, who is from northwest Iowa, is the U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc. president for 2025. Raph Jolliffe, Colorado, is vice president. Mychal Neumiller of Bowdon, North Dakota is the secretary and Seth Buxcel of Montana is the treasurer. USCHI directors are Aubree Thouvenel of Missouri, Mark Anderson of Nebraska and Randy Wolgemuth of Pennsylvania. David Misener of Oklahoma will serve as an advisor to the board.

New Leadership for R-CALF USA – Dave Hyde, who is a cow-calf operator in eastern Ohio, is the new president of R-CALF USA. Eric Gropper operates a cow-calf operation in Long Valley, South Dakota and is the new vice president. Ron Volk of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota is the newly-elected region III director. “We are in the cattle industry, not the beef industry,” said Hyde. “America First means mandatory country-of-origin labeling; eliminating wasteful spending means checkoff reform.”

Officer Team in Place for Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy – Dairy Farmers of America President and CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh is the new chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Brad Anderson of California Dairies is the new vice chair. Associated Milk Producers, Incorporated President and Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Meshke is the treasurer and Schreiber Foods President/CEO Ron Danford is secretary. The executive committee rounds out with Heather Anfang of Land O’Lakes and Joe Digilio of Michigan Milk Producers Association.

NDSGA Board Elections Complete – Board elections were part of the Tuesday business meeting for the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. Chris McDonald of Leonard, Dustin Helmick of Courtenay, Mike Doll of New Salem and Billie Lentz of Perth were elected.

NCGA Officer Team Returns for Another Year – The Northern Canola Growers Association has elected its new board of directors. Tim Mickelson of Rolla is president and Michael Brekhus of Kenmare is vice president. Becky Braaten of Westhope was also re-elected secretary/treasurer.

Another Term of Erickson, Thomas – At Tuesday’s Northern Corn and Soybean Expo, the members of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association re-elected David Erickson of Buchanan and Paul Thomas of Velva to its board.

A Reappointment to the Board of Animal Health – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has reappointed Dr. Jessica Koppien-Fox to the Board of Animal Health. Koppien-Fox is a veterinarian with the Marshall Animal Clinic.

Maddock Elected Vice-Chair – During Cattle Con ’25, Travis Maddock of Maddock, North Dakota was elected vice-chair of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Federation Division.

Brown, Vogel to be Inducted into ND Ag HOF – The latest members of the North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame will be inducted March 5 at the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City. The two honorees are Gabe Brown and Sarah Vogel. Brown is a pioneer in the regenerative agriculture movement and named one of the 25 most influential ag leaders by the National No-Till Association. Vogel is a former North Dakota agriculture commissioner and brought a class-action lawsuit against USDA during the 1980s farm crisis, bringing a pause to farm foreclosures.

Awards Presented by SD Soil Health Coalition – The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition presented its legacy award to Rock Hills Ranch of Lowry, South Dakota. This ranch is owned by Lyle and Garnet Perman and Luke and Naomi Perman. South Dakota NRCS State Soil Scientist Nathan Jones is the Friend of Soil Health Award winner.

Mortensen Now Part of Pork Checkoff Team – Naomi Mortensen is the new director of state association communications for the National Pork Board. Most recently, Mortensen led her own firm, N. Marie Communications. Previously, Mortenson worked for Curious Plot, Soil Warrior and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

Meat Institute Adds Two New Employees – Chris Chaffee is the new legislative affairs director and Brian Peteritas is the marketing manager. Previously, Chaffee was the director of industry relations for the U.S. Farming and Ranching Foundation and associate director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. Peteritas previously worked in the American Frozen Food Institute and National Apartment Association trade groups.

Randall Named 2025 Weed Control Partner – North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring named Carol Randall the recipient of the 2025 Weed Control Partner Award for her work as a U.S. Forest Service weed biological control specialist. Randall, who retired in 2024, contributed to North Dakota’s biocontrol efforts and helped secure USFS grant funding. Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine presented the award at the 2025 Commissioners’ Noxious Weed Forum in Bismarck.

NCBA Honors Ron Hays – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association presented the inaugural Greg Henderson Memorial Excellence in Ag Journalism Award to Ron Hays of the Radio Oklahoma Network. The award is named in honor of the longtime editor of Drovers who passed away in August.