Force Majeure Invoked, Impacts Glyphosate Supply – An already stressed supply chain situation has taken another hit. Bayer’s global head of active ingredient production sent a notice to customers on Friday saying one of the company’s key raw material suppliers is down three months. Bayer is invoking Force Majeure since its ability to fulfill purchase orders for glyphosate or glyphosate-containing products is being impacted. It’s not known how much of Bayer’s glyphosate capacity has been shut down.

Bayer Responds to Glyphosate Production Issue – In a statement provided to the Red River Farm Network, Bayer said the raw ingredient supplier experiencing mechanical failure may have short-term impacts on production of an active ingredient in glyphosate. “Our supplier is on track to restore production, we’ve sourced additional materials and made other mitigation efforts to help best manage this situation. We expect any impact to be marginal in terms of our annual glyphosate production.” Bayer said the Roundup branded ag herbicide business supply will continue to be balanced through the current ongoing supply management efforts.

Commerce Moving Again on Windsor-Detroit Bridge – Canadian police have cleared the blockade between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, allowing traffic to move once again at this important border crossing. The ‘Freedom Convoy’ shut down the Ambassador Bridge for six days. Meanwhile, the border crossing at Pembina and Emerson remains closed in the dispute over vaccine mandates.

Trudeau Calls for Protests to End – In an emergency session in the House of Commons, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests need to stop. “This pandemic has sucked for all Canadians, but Canadians know the way to get through it is to continue listening to science.” The protests began in late January after truckers were required to be fully vaccinated to cross the U.S. border.

Livestock Still Moving Across the Border – Manitoba Pork Council General Manager Cam Dahl says the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest exposes a supply chain problem. “Even coming into the mandates that were brought into place by both federal governments, we were short trucks and truckers. The supply chain was brittle coming into 2022.” Dahl says livestock haulers have been allowed through the blockades so far, but it is a concern.

Pembina Border Crossing is a Pressure Point for Pig Movement – Minnesota Pork Producers Association CEO David Priesler says the main border crossing for feeder pigs coming into the Upper Midwest is at the Pembina/Emerson border crossing. “There are other routes folks can go, but that is where most all of the trucks come through. We have several thousand feeder pigs that come down on a yearly basis. We also have U.S. product that moves north like soybean meal and corn to feed the sow farms in Canada; it goes both ways.” Priesler says hog producers are trying to plan accordingly. “A lot of it ends up being timing. The farm up in Canada only has so much time to hang onto the pigs they have and then, obviously, we don’t want barns to be empty long here.”

Inflation at Levels Not Seen in 40 Years – The Consumer Price Index increased 7.5 percent last month. The Federal Reserve was already expected to increase interest rates at its March meeting. Analysts are saying the higher inflation rate will likely accelerate a series of interest rate increases.

Price Projections Look “Promising” – NDSU Extension released its short-term and long-term price projections for farmers and ranchers preparing annual budgets and cash flow projections. NDSU Extension Farm Management Specialist Ron Haugen says the short-term crop and livestock projections look promising. “For sure, almost all crop and livestock prices are up.” Haugen says the outlook for all crops is good. “Soybeans are taking a hike right now. I’m not sure it will last, but they look good. Almost all specialty crops are good because you don’t have as many inputs on those, but you’re not going to plant the whole farm to a specialty crop.” Corn, soybean and wheat prices are described as “fair.”

Positive Equity Position – Farm financial conditions are strong, but profits will by stressed this year by high input costs and the lack of government payments. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City economist Nathan Kauffman says most farmers have a strong equity position and should be able to buffer the tight margins. “At the end of 2019, we were a bit concerned about working capital and on how farmers were positioned for the possibility of more stress going forward, but the cash flow improved most farmers’ position.” Farmland values are record high in many areas. “Values are about 25 percent higher than they were last year and that’s another high-level indicator of the financial health for the farm sector.”

Input Costs Expected to Remain High – Nearly all farm expenses are projected to be up over last year. “The question is will they come down in 2023 and I would say fertilizer may, but the other costs are not likely to,” said Gary Schnitkey, economist, University of Illinois. “Don’t expect fertilizer to come down this year.” Schnitkey, who spoke at the Nutrient Management Conference in Mankato, shared fertilizer data from east central Illinois. “On average, pre-plant and side dress had the highest operating return and also had the lowest nitrogen cost.”

Beet Share Values – Last week, 215 American Crystal Sugar Company beet shares were brokered at $4,300 per share. This is information is gathered weekly from all beet stock broker websites by Jayson Menke, broker, Acres & Shares.

Discipline Needed When Renting Farm Ground – Land rents remain one of the top expenses for farmers. “Between 30 and 33 percent of corn revenue ends up, if you’re renting ground, going into the landlord’s pocket,” said Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist, Wells Fargo. “If someone in your market is feeling bullish and challenging everyone’s cash rent, you’re in a tough spot because if you want to hang onto it, you have to match it or give the landlord a reason why they should stick with you at a more reasonable price.”  Swanson says cash rental rates across the Midwest are up. “Landlords aren’t oblivious to the fact that there are good years.”

SD Corn Comments – The U.S. Grains Council is holding its International Marketing Conference the week of February 14. Hear more details in this week’s SD Corn Comments.

U.S. Ag Exports in 2021 Set Record – According to final trade data published by the U.S. Commerce Department, U.S. farm and food product exports totaled $177 billion in 2021. That’s an 18 percent increase from 2020. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it breaks the previous export record. “The record that was set in 2013 when I was Secretary before was surpassed in 2021 and it is anticipated that the record will be broken again this year.” China remains the top export destination for U.S. agricultural products, with a record $33 billion in purchases. Mexico and Canada are among the top export markets for U.S. agricultural products. Worldwide exports of agricultural products like soybeans, corn, beef, dairy and distillers’ grains all reached record highs in 2021.

China Remains Top Market for U.S. Ag Products – According to the Commerce Department, China purchased a record $33 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products in 2021. China failed to meet its purchase commitments, but AgTrade Strategies Principal Sharon Bomer Lauritsen says the phase one trade deal included other positive provisions for agriculture. “The United States would still like to see changes in how China regulates products in agricultural biotechnology.” The Biden administration may not be prioritizing new trade agreements, but Bomer Lauritson says USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are focused on resolving trade barriers. “One thing we should also be aware of, especially for China, is that the country still maintains its retaliatory tariffs on a lot of U.S. agricultural products.”

Prince Edward Island Resumes Fresh Potato Exports to Puerto Rico – USDA approved fresh potato shipments from Prince Edward Island to Puerto Rico, but not mainland United States. Canadian authorities voluntarily suspended exports of all potatoes for consumption and planting from PEI due to a detection of potato wart. This potato disease is not in the United States and it’s hard to control. National Potato Council Kam Quarles says the announcement is a good first step. “Given the nature of Puerto Rico as an island served exclusively by ocean freight, the possibility of disease transmission back to the production areas of the United States is minimized.” Quarles says there’s an entirely different disease risk profile for the mainland United States. “The last thing you want is a disease to get established in a production area. That’s a longer process than Puerto Rico.”

Northern Plains Spring Forecast – World Weather Incorporated Senior Agricultural Meteorologist Drew Lerner expects to see moisture coming across the Northern Plains this spring. “There will be a cool bias to start in the eastern part of the Dakotas and Minnesota, but it will be warmer further west. The temperature contrast will help feed the moisture potential. Precipitation will come and go and I don’t expect prolonged periods of dryness during the planting season.” Lerner says by late spring, western North Dakota should see improving conditions.

Spring Conditions May Mirror ’21 – Speaking at a Countryside Insurance farm meeting, DTN Strategic Product Manager Ben Hershey said this spring could be very similar to last year. That includes warmer conditions in March, a cooldown in April and a drier than average May.  It may take longer for the frost to come out of the ground. “There’s definitely indications the frost depth is a little deeper,” said Hershey. “We had moisture in the ground and with temperatures in the 30 below zero range that helps drive that frost level down.”

Dry Bean Scene – Details about the latest changes in crop insurance and the impact on dry beans can be found in this week’s edition of the Dry Bean Scene. The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Many U.S. Farmers Have Spring Fertilizer Needs Locked In – CHS Hedging Director of Producer Brokerage Kent Beadle thinks many U.S. farmers already locked in their fertilizer needs for spring. “The combination of higher incomes made it wise for farmers for tax purposes to try and get some of those input costs locked-in and paid for. In general, I’d say the American farmer probably has more fertilizer purchased than in the past.” Flex acres are the exception. Beadle is eager to see what happens with U.S. corn acres. “Right now, giving up three million acres to soybeans would tighten up the corn balance sheet.”

A Big Fall Fertilizer Season – StoneX Group Financial Director of Fertilizer Josh Linville thinks the United States had one of its biggest fall fertilizer runs on record last year. “That emptied the system; we ended with hardly anything left in the stockpiles,” says Linville. “We are in a position where we need to lose (anhydrous and UAN) tons to urea because we don’t have the supplies in place. If we start up in March, there won’t be stockpiles in the tanks waiting for farmers to show up.” Linville says fertilizer producers are continuing to drag their feet. “The question is can they keep it through most of spring or not. Unfortunately, it comes down to how long can they wait?”

Variety Selection Necessary When Dealing with Iron Deficiency Chlorosis – With more residual nitrogen left in the soil last fall, University of Minnesota Extension Soybean Agronomist Seth Naeve says there’s a greater chance for Iron Deficiency Chlorosis. Selecting an IDC tolerant soybean variety is a good strategy. “That’s our number one, two, three and four strategies. Unfortunately, we don’t always know we have good IDC tolerance in new varieties and sometimes we get slammed by worse IDC than we expected.” Naeve reminds farmers to focus on the things that can be controlled. “Don’t dwell on the thing we can’t control, but if we know we’ve got problems, farmers should try to manage around them some way.”

USDA Makes Slight Changes to World Corn and Soy Production – USDA lowered world corn ending stocks from the January estimate of 303.1 million metric tons to 302.2 million metric tons. World Soybean ending stocks were lower from 95.2 million tonnes in January to 92.8 million tonnes. World wheat ending stocks were lowered 1.8 million tonnes to 278.2 million tonnes.

U.S. Corn Ending Stocks Unchanged, Soybean Carryout Lowered – USDA made no adjustment to U.S. corn ending stocks in the February Supply and Demand report, leaving corn ending stocks unchanged from January at 1.54 billion bushels. USDA did lower U.S. soybean carryout from last month by 25 million bushels to 325 million bushels. USDA raised U.S. wheat ending stocks by 20 million bushels from January to 648 million bushels.

What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets – South American weather remains a story in the corn and soybean markets, but Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says the trade is looking for fresh news. “After last Thursday, the market is starting to wane a bit and we may see some profit taking,” said Martinson. “I’m not saying the rally is over, the market is just ready for a break.” Listen to this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets for a complete look at the markets.

CONAB Cuts Corn and Soybean Production Estimates – In its February report, Brazil’s national ag agency, CONAB, cut their soybean production estimate to 125.5 million metric tons for the current growing season. That’s down from CONAB’s January forecast of 140.5 million tonnes. If realized, Brazil’s 21/22 soybean crop would still be the second largest on record. CONAB also lowered Brazil’s 21/22 corn production estimate 600,000 tonnes from January to 112.3 million tonnes. USDA’s estimated Brazil’s soybean production at 134 million tonnes and corn production at 114 million tonnes in the February Supply and Demand report.

StatsCan Report Shows Fewer Canola Stocks – Statistics Canada’s February stocks in all positions report shows 7.56 million metric tons of canola on hand as of December 31. That’s down 43 percent year-over-year and the smallest since 2007. DTN Canada market analyst Cliff Jamieson says canola demand is on track with current estimates. “Disappearance as of January 2 was shy of 7 million tons. The forecast is for 14 million tons, a total demand that’s export and crush with a differential of seven million tons as of December 31. The current stocks report indicates we’re on track to achieve the current government estimate.” Canada’s all-wheat stocks are estimated at 15.6 million metric tons. That’s down 37.8 percent from last year and down 37.5 percent from the five-year average.

MN Wheat Minute – The National Wheat Foundation’s National Yield Contest winners will be recognized at the Commodity Classic in March. Hear more in this week’s Minnesota Wheat Minute.

Fundamentals Support Grain Markets – Advance Trading Ag Risk Management Advisor Tommy Grisafi says fundamentals have supported the grain market. “The weather in South America is friendly to the markets and so was that StatsCan report.” Inflation may be another factor. “Many people on Wall Street, as they’ve sold, are looking to buy commodities.”

Take Advantage of Market Rallies – Utterback Marketing President Bob Utterback reminds farmers to position themselves to take advantage of any price rallies. “There’s nothing in the cards yet to tell us that we’re going to slow this thing down until we get crops in the field.” Utterback says there are many unknowns that can have a big market impact. “The bottom line is the bull is in charge. Farmers have to sell defensively.”

ND, MN Ag Groups Offer Comments on WOTUS Definition – A coalition of North Dakota and Minnesota farm groups is asking the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider their new definition for Waters of the United States. An expansion of the WOTUS definition would “impact farmers’ ability to produce food, fiber and fuel to the country confidently and manage water on cropland effectively.” The ag groups want EPA to adopt USDA standards for wetland delineations and prior converted cropland determinations.

Agriculture Groups Sue EPA Over Chlorpyrifos Ban – Twenty agricultural groups are suing the EPA for denying the use of chlorpyrifos. Northern soybean, sugarbeet and wheat producers are part of the litigation. The groups are seeking an injunction of a rule that will take effect at the end of the month revoking all tolerances to chlorpyrifos. The groups ultimately want the EPA to vacate the part of the rule that conflicts with the 11 uses of the pesticide that EPA previously found safe. Chlorpyrifos is used by farmers to manage pests like soybean aphids and sugarbeet root maggots. In a statement, American Sugarbeet Growers Association President Nate Hultgren said chlorpyrifos is an important tool in the sugarbeet industry, based on EPA’s own safety assessment. If the tool is not available, ASGA Past President Dan Younggren told RRFN previously “if we lose chlorpyrifos there’s a big void, especially in my neck of the woods where sugarbeet root maggot will kill the crop. We don’t have anything else that will combat this.” Last fall, the groups filed formal objections to EPA’s rule. The groups wanted the EPA to have evidentiary hearings and to stay implementation of the rule until the objections could be formally considered.

Chlorpyrifos Ban Sets a Precedent – The EPA’s chlorpyrifos ban affects many agricultural commodities. “The groups suing the EPA shows the breadth of the impact. Our concern is the way the product was taken off the market. It’s not the way pesticides are supposed to be regulated in this country,” said Daren Coppock, CEO, Ag Retailers Association. “For political reasons, the industry is going to lose a critically important tool.” Coppock said the EPA’s rule sets a precedent for other pesticides. “Activists sued and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals insisted the EPA revoke food tolerances for the crop. Essentially, this is a back door shortcut to take products off the market by revoking tolerances.”

Gray Wolves to Be Relisted Under Endangered Species Act – On Thursday, a U.S. District Court ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prematurely removed the federal Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves last year. That means gray wolves will once again have federal protection in 44 of the lower 48 U.S. States. The animal activist group called Defenders for Wildlife calls the ruling a significant victory. The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Allison VanDerWal says the court ruling on gray wolves is shocking and disheartening for Minnesota cattle producers. “It’s been one of our top priorities for years. Just because one judge made this ruling, it doesn’t change the science of the wolf population in Minnesota. We know the gray wolf population has recovered. We want to make sure wolves and livestock can co-mingle, but that we’re able to manage the wolves that impact our livestock.” VanderWal says the industry is still trying to determine next steps. “We have 60 days to file an appeal, but we are still looking at this.”

MN Beef Update – The National Cattle Industry Convention was a busy event. Minnesota Beef Council and Cattlemen’s Beef Board member Jeri Hanson has an update from the convention in the latest Minnesota Beef Update.

Under Secretary Bonnie Meets with House Ag Subcommittee – USDA Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie met with the House Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management on Tuesday. Bonnie answered questions on crop insurance, farm programs and disaster aid. Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig asked about the current farm bill and ad-hoc disaster programs. “We’ll continue to look at gaps in coverage where we can create new products or opportunities in partnership with agriculture,” said Bonnie. “When we think about disaster programs, one of the things we are doing as we roll things out is linking to participation in crop insurance so farmers use those.” House Ag Committee Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson told Bonnie he’s disappointed Congress wasn’t consulted before $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds were used for the new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, announced on Monday. Watch the hearing.

Pandemic Cover Crop Program Returns in ’22 – Farmers who plant cover crops can see their crop insurance premiums reduced. To receive the benefit from the Pandemic Cover Crop Program, farmers must report their cover crop acreage to the Farm Service Agency by March 15. This program was first offered this past year and provides premium support of $5 per acre.

Reviewing 2022 Crop Insurance Changes – In addition to crop insurance, the deadline to finalize the Price Loss Coverage or Agriculture Risk Coverage elections is March 15. Countryside Insurance Agent Kayla Pederson says additional coverage is available to protect revenue. “If you are going to take PLC, you should look at taking SCO or Supplemental Coverage Option that insures you from the 75 percent level of coverage all the way up to the 86 percent level of coverage.” One of the biggest changes in crop insurance is the ability to select Enterprise Units by type. “That is now available for dry beans, dry peas, wheat and sunflowers,” said Pederson. “I think the biggest thing it’ll be used for in our area is dry beans by type. You could enterprise your navy beans and put optional units on your pinto beans if that’s the route you’d like to take.”

USDA Extends Dairy Margin Coverage Sign-Up – The USDA extended the deadline for farmers to enroll in the 2022 Dairy Margin Coverage and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage program. The deadline is extended to March 25. Farmers can apply through their local Farm Service Agency office.

High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Indiana Poultry Barn – Avian influenza is back. This time, the outbreak happened on a commercial turkey farm in southwestern Indiana. Testing at Purdue University confirmed HPAI after 100 birds died. According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, there’s an ongoing depopulation happening. This is the first case of HPAI in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2020.

MN Turkey Producers On High Alert – The top turkey producing state in the country is on high alert after getting news of Indiana’s confirmed avian influenza cases. “As we saw this developing in Nova Scotia, there were positive birds in a flock in the Carolinas and Virginia and now, a commercial farm in Indiana,” says Thom Petersen, agriculture commissioner, Minnesota. “We’ve been working with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health to make sure farmers across Minnesota have biosecurity plans in place and they’re taking precautions. We are also working with the USDA Wildlife Service to track flight patterns of migrating birds.” Minnesota had an outbreak of avian influenza in 2015. Petersen reiterates how important it is for growers to follow biosecurity protocols. “If you have concerns, reach out to the Board of Animal Health. We’ve been through this before, but I think it’s getting extremely serious right now.”

Veg Oil Sector Shifting to Serve Renewable Diesel Demand – In a call with investors, Bunge CEO Gregory Heckman was asked about forecasts for U.S. renewable diesel capacity to reach five billion gallons by 2025.” I think it’s going to take everything to supply that industry and the demand that is coming from that industry,” said Heckman. “We’ll see the U.S. going from being an exporter to an importer of vegetable oils (and) we will see an expansion in capacity.” Bunge reports fourth quarter net income of $533 million. That’s up from $455 million one year ago. Strength was seen in the company’s agribusiness and vegetable oils segment.

Soybean Crush Expansion Phase Continues – In the Dakotas and Minnesota, there’s been five new soy crush facilities that have come online or have been proposed since 2019. Renewable diesel is a big part of what’s generating the interest. CoBank Grain Economist Ken Zuckerberg says there’s close to six billion gallons of capacity that’s been announced in the last two years. It’s the soybean oil that’s in demand. “We’re getting close to the point where virtually every soybean grown in the United States would need to be crushed to satisfy all of the announced plant capacity, if they come to fruition.” Acres will likely shift to soybeans. “Going forward, our working assumption is demand for corn acres are likely to decline as electric vehicles become a greater component of new car sales. With all this demand for soybean oil, it’s possible for soybeans to take over corn acres.” Zuckerberg says it’s not clear how long the expansion phase will last.

Canola Minute – In this week’s Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman talks about the research budget approved for the year ahead.

Corn Wet Mill Development Agreement Pending After Second Review – There are many questions as the Grand Forks City Council reviews a development agreement for a corn wet mill. Grand Forks City Administrator Todd Feland says some of those questions may not be answered until there is a development agreement with the Fufeng Group in place. “The development agreement protects us. If we can’t find a way forward, it can revert back to the development agreement. Without us moving forward, we’re going to be coming back to this with the same questions.” Grand Forks residents and a nearby farmers voiced concern about the proposed corn wet milling project. Grand Forks County farmer Frank Matejcek defines value-added agriculture when farmers grow the product and own the company. “If you think adding a couple of cents to a bushel of corn for this processing plant is going to be value-added agriculture, you better think again.” Farmer Todd Leake said it’s unfair the corn wet mill will receive large subsidies from the state instead of local grain elevators. Watch the meeting.

SD Soybean Processors to Build Third Processing Plant – The South Dakota Soybean Processors will build a new soy and sunflower processing facility south of Mitchell, South Dakota. CEO Tom Kersting says the plant’s been in the works for the last few years. “We need approvals, permitting and things like that, but we’re at a point now where we can talk about where we can let people know what’s going on,” says Kersting. “Everything is in disarray as far as delivery times and being able to get things done in a timely fashion. We’re shooting to be up and operational in fall 2024 or spring 2025.” The soybean oil will go to the renewable diesel market and also, food customers. For the soybean meal, the market is domestic livestock feed and export. “For the sunflower meal, it’s a good feed additive for dairy and beef cattle.” Ethan, South Dakota farmer and South Dakota Soybean Processor Board Member Lewis Bainbridge says this project is a huge boom for all farmers in South Dakota. “It’s an opportunity for many farmers to increase the value of their crop. We’re thankful we have people involved that have the foresight to go forward and cap the potentials.” When completed, this will be the third processing facility for the South Dakota Soybean Processors. The other two facilities are located in Volga and Miller, South Dakota.

Noem Signs Grain Regulation Bills Into Law – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed three grain regulation bills into law last week.  Senate Bill 38 increases the maximum penalty for buying grain without a warehouse license from $20,000 to $50,000. It also becomes a felony if someone buys grain without a license while indicating they are a grain broker. The legislation takes effect on July 1.

SD Ag Committee Approves Mitchell Ag Lab – The South Dakota House Agriculture Committee has given its approval for an expansion at Mitchell Technical College. The bill calls for an appropriation of $5 million to be matched by $5 million in funding from the school. This project includes a new on-campus agriculture and diesel power laboratory.

Rural Finance Authority Expedites Disaster Funds – During a Minnesota House Agriculture Committee hearing, Rural Finance Authority ag finance supervisor Matt McDevitt provided a status report on the drought disaster loans. “Currently, we have about ten applications for $1.2 million and we continue to get inquiries,” said McDevitt. RFA loans typically process within two-to-three months, but the disaster loans timeline is three-to-four weeks. “People need the money sooner rather than later.” The state drought relief can be used for a variety of things, including a feed bill or the cost of hauling water. McDevitt said the state works with local lenders on these disaster loans.

Drought Relief Discussed in MN House Ag Committee – There is broad support for drought assistance in the Minnesota Legislature, but this relief is not without criticism. “There are a lot of businesses that fail that have to have insurance or they have to go into bankruptcy,” said State Representative Rick Hansen. “I’m very cautious about using general taxpayer dollars to bail out bad management or corruption.” Hansen also questioned if the state assistance duplicates what is being done at the federal level. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen defended the use of these dollars. “What farmers lost this last year and what USDA is offering in the livestock and specialty crop program is not going to make our farmers whole. The federal money takes time to trickle out where with the state we can get money in their hands right now.”

MFBF Minute – There’s a new Farm Bureau Ag Day Gala happening in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Hear Farm Bureau Foundation Director Ruth Meirick preview the event in the latest Minnesota Farm Bureau Minute.

Sundin Sponsoring Drought Relief Bill – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s budget proposal includes $10 million in drought relief. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Sundin is frustrated with the lack of action on the overall spending plan. “Some of the folks are dragging their feet on that; I’m dropping the bill to expedite that and see if we can the drought relief out the door.” Sundin’s bill is in the hopper and could get a bill number by Monday afternoon. “If they don’t like my bill, that’s okay, but let’s push the whole governor’s recommendation and get this thing done.”

Ag Committee Reviews Plant-Based Grant Proposal – A bill creating a $2 million pilot grant program to develop a plant-based agriculture industry has been laid over by the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee. “Public research funded by this state will help ensure that this industry stays at home rather than moving overseas,” said Lauren Stone, acting policy director, Good Food Institute. “As the plant-based industry grows, research will help Minnesota businesses source high quality crops from local farmers.” State Representative John Burkel, who farms at Badger, said the plant-based food industry has moved beyond the need for this investment. “How do you see this $2 million moving the needle when Beyond Meat is the shortest stock in the stock market right now?” The House bill is sponsored by St. Cloud DFL Representative Dan Wolgamott. A companion bill sponsored by Breezy Point Republican Carrie Ruud is awaiting action in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

MFU Minute – Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Anne Schwagerl is monitoring what’s happening in the Minnesota Legislative session. Hear more in this week’s MFU Minute.

Grand Farm Announcement Expected Today – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will be in Fargo this afternoon to announce a major matching grant that is being awarded to the Grand Farm. This grant deals with autonomous agriculture. State legislators and North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne will also be part of today’s announcement.

Two Ag Software Firms to Join Forces – Conservis and AgriWebb have announced a marketing partnership. Conservis is a farm management software firm based in Minneapolis and AgriWebb provides livestock business management software and is based in Australia.

Digital Trading Platform Comes to North America – After its initial launch in Brazil, a digital blockchain trading platform for agricultural commodities is now available for North American crops. This introduction will include wheat, canola, barley, DDGs and beet pulp pellets. Corn, soybeans and soybean meal were already on this platform.  Covantis was founded one year ago by ADM, Bunge, Cargill, COFCO, Louis Dreyfus and Viterra.

Global Collaboration for Zoetis, CowManager and Select Sires – Zoetis, CowManager and Select Sires are launching a strategic collaboration to integrate genomic tools with predictive sensor systems. DNA traits and indexes developed by Zoetis will put together with CowManager’s ear sensor technology to provide farmers with information on the health, fertility, nutritional insights and location of their cattle. Select Sires said the on-farm analytics and increased reliability in genetic selection will benefit its dairy and beef customers.

AGCO Has Stronger Q4 in 2021 – Farm equipment manufacturer AGCO is reporting fiscal fourth quarter net income of $283.3 million on net sales of $3.15 billion. AGCO reports full year net income of $905 million on net sales of $11.14 billion. AGCO’s North American sales increased nearly 21 percent year-over-year on increased sales of high horsepower and mid-range tractors and precision planting equipment sales. Read the report.

Corteva Executive to Retire – Corteva Agriscience Executive Vice President of Business Platforms Rajan Gajaria has announced his retirement. Previously, Gajaria was the vice president of Corteva’s crop protection business.

Hebrink to Retire in ’23 – Compeer Financial President and CEO Rod Hebrink has announced his intention to retire in January of 2023. Hebrink has been with Compeer and its legacy brand, AgStar Financial Services, since 1985. Hebrink has been president and CEO since 2014. The Compeer Financial board will begin the search process soon.

Goehring Seeks Another Term – North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is seeking reelection. Goehring, who farms at Menoken, has been the agriculture commissioner since 2009.

Dakotas Still Waiting on State Executive Directors – The Biden Administration continues to appoint State Executive Directors to the Farm Service Agency, but none have been named in the Dakotas yet. As of February 7, there are 28 state executive directors named to the FSA; 25 that still need to be named. For USDA’s Rural Development, 27 State Directors are in place, with 23 spots that need to be filled, including the Dakotas and Minnesota.

Vold Appointed to Dairy Checkoff Board – USDA has announced the appointment of 12 individuals to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Glenwood, Minnesota dairy farmer Suzanne Vold is one of seven new appointees and will serve a three-year term on the dairy checkoff board.

USDA Equity Commission Members Named – To address historical discrimination at USDA, an Equity Commission and agriculture subcommittee have been created. One of the notable members of the 15-member Equity Commission is Shirley Sherrod, who was forced to resign 12 years ago as USDA’s Georgia rural development director. Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart released an edited version of a Sherrod speech which were taken out of context. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who also led USDA during the Obama administration, fired Sherrod at that time, but later apologized and offered her a new job. The new agriculture subcommittee includes former North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel, Intertribal Agriculture Council Executive Director Kari Jo Lawrence of South Dakota and Hmong America Farmers Association co-rounder Janssen Hang of Minnesota.

Sentencing Scheduled for Crop Insurance Fraud Case – A Lake Park, Minnesota farmer is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24. Kevan Jon Nelson pleaded guilty to reporting false losses to secure nearly $550,000 in crop insurance payments in 2018 and 2019. Under a plea agreement, the Justice Department will not seek the maximum sentence and Nelson’s sons are shielded from prosecution.

Corn Matters – It’s Farm and Food Book Week. Minnesota Ag in the Classroom is celebrating by reading agricultural books to Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students over Zoom. Hear more details in the latest Corn Matters, presented by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Grafton and Danielson Heading to ND Ag Hall of Fame – The North Dakota Agricultural Hall of Fame will welcome its two newest inductees during the North Dakota Winter Show on March 9. The honorees are Dr. Ken Grafton and Russ Danielson. Grafton retired in 2020 after 40 years of service at NDSU. In addition to his time as the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Grafton developed NDSU’s dry bean breeding program. Danielson was part of the NDSU Animal Science Department for 44 years, retiring in 2010. Danielson was instrumental in establishing the North Dakota Junior Beef Expo and judged numerous state and national cattle shows.

Meehan and Sedivec Honored – The Society for Range Management presented its Outstanding Young Professional Award to NDSU Extension Environmental Stewardship Specialist Miranda Meehan. The organization’s Fellow Award went to NDSU Extension Rangeland Specialist Kevin Sedivec.

NDSU Extension’s Mike Hanson Passes – Funeral services for former NDSU Extension Northwest District Director Mike Hanson were held Saturday. Hanson, 63, began his career with NDSU Extension in 1981. He served as an Extension agent in Richland, Benson and Emmons Counties and held the district post from 2005-to-2017. Read more.