Putting on the Miles – It is meeting season for the Red River Farm Network team. In the week ahead, we’ll be making the trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in San Antonio, MN Ag Expo in Mankato, NDSU Feedlot School in Carrington and the Wild World of Weeds Workshop and AgCountry Farm Credit Services AgFocus Conference in Fargo. In this issue of FarmNetNews, you’ll find coverage of the NDSU Crop Insurance Conference, South Dakota Pork Congress, South Dakota Corn Conference, Northarvest Bean Day, Red River Basin Land and Water Conference, UM Research Update and the South Dakota Soil Health Conference. Go online to see the ag events in the region. 

Inauguration Day – The futures markets are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is also inauguration day with President Donald Trump being sworn in for a second time at 11 AM Central Time. Trump plans to sign numerous executive orders shortly after being sworn in. The orders include a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border. Immigration raids are also planned in major cities like Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles. Attention is expected to be given to energy and Biden Administration climate policies.

Farm Bill Will Happen in ’25 – Texas A&M Extension Economist Joe Outlaw believes this is the year that Congress delivers and finally passes a new farm bill. “I do farm bill policy; this is what I do for a living,” Outlaw told RRFN. “I’ve been doing meetings for the last two years and in every meeting, I’ve stood up and said it’s not going to happen this year. I’m going to stand up in this meeting and say it’s going to happen this year so that’s completely different.” According to Outlaw, any farm bill must include higher reference prices and a bump in trade promotion funds. “Why do it if we’re not going to have a safety net that’s relevant for producers?” Outlaw was featured in the NDSU Crop Insurance Conference in Fargo.

Bipartisan Hopes Rise for New Farm Bill – 2025 began with a farm bill that was three years old and farmers’ patience with Congress is wearing thin. Veteran Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer said he is optimistic that it will finally get done in this congress, “Now you have a Republican heading the Senate Ag Committee, (Arkansas Senator) John Boozman and he works very well with (Pennsylvania Representative) G.T. Thompson,” said Wiesemeyer. “You have the new ranking member on the Senate Ag Committee, (Minnesota Senator) Amy Klobuchar; will she offer compromising words that she can work with the Senate and the House to finally get this new farm bill done?”

SD Corn Comments – South Dakota Corn Comments is a presentation of the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Executive Director DaNita Murray highlights the Senate confirmation process for key cabinet positions at USDA, HHS, EPA and others.  “All of these positions impact farmers here in South Dakota.” Click here to listen.

New Leadership, Same Challenges – With a new Congress and administration, the ag industry is poised for a big shakeup in 2025. Rural Community Insurance Services Assistant Vice President of Federal Affairs Jeff Sands said there’s still a lot of work to be done to help farmers during these tough economic times. “We saw an end-of-year package that addressed some economic needs, but we still have a farm bill hanging out there.” A lot of things will have to fall into place before a farm bill can be voted on. “We have a backdrop of so many things that need to get done in D.C. with the macro and micro politics of each one of those.” At the Crop Insurance Conference in Fargo, Sands said the deck chairs are shuffling with a couple of House members joining the Trump administration and impacting the thin margin in the majority. Budget reconciliation is also a priority.

400 Ag Groups Urge Swift Confirmation for Rollins – The confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary-nominee Brooke Rollins has been scheduled for Thursday. More than 400 agriculture groups and businesses have signed a letter of support for Rollins. In addition to national groups, the tri-state region was represented in that letter to congressional leadership. That includes the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council, Midwest Council on Agriculture and state Farm Bureau organizations and commodity groups.

Zeldin Testifies at Confirmation Hearing – Topics addressed in the confirmation hearing for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator-designate Lee Zeldin included Waters of the United States, renewable fuel volume obligations, and the agency’s relationship with USDA. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer asked Zeldin about the WOTUS definition. “I will make sure that I’m doing my part so the EPA honors the decision of Sackett (Supreme Court ruling) and any future laws that come out of Congress,” responded Zeldin. “That is my commitment to you.” There was also a question about the agency adopting science-based and timely pesticide rules. “That must be our goal, that should be the relationship between all agencies, including the interaction between the EPA and the USDA. “Regarding support for year-round sales of E15, Zeldin said he would do his part to establish certainty on that issue.

The Weaponization of the Endangered Species Act – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum faced a wide range of topics in his confirmation hearing Thursday. Burgum, who has been chosen to lead the Interior Department, was asked about the use of the Endangered Species Act. “You raise a very important issue which is the weaponization of federal rules that are meant to actually protect the wildlife,” said Burgum. “It’s a legal weapon and it’s being used for fundraising (and) it’s used for groups that are just trying to block our nation’s progress.”

More Flexibility for Climate Smart Farming Practices – USDA’s new interim rule for climate-smart crops provides more flexibility for farmers. To qualify for incentives, including the 45Z tax credit, farmers can use cover crops, nutrient management or adopt no-till or reduced tillage practices. This is different than the all-or-none bundled approach in previous rules. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also released the Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator to assess greenhouse gas emissions at the field level. “Agriculture now is in a position to say if we use corn in this county and we use it in a no-till circumstance with properly timed fertilizer, this is the benefit to the ethanol production facility that will be producing the SAF so they, in turn, can document to whoever’s purchasing SAF that they did result in a CI score that is more than 50 percent efficient, relative to current jet fuel.” Three crops are recognized as biofuel feedstocks; corn, soybeans, and sorghum.

Canola Minute – Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman is featured in this week’s Canola Minute. Canola is missing from the USDA’s list of approved biofuel feedstock crops in the climate-smart program interim rule and Coleman offers his reaction. Click here to listen to the report.

Left Out – While corn and soybeans were included as eligible crops in the USDA’s interim climate smart rule, canola was not. Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman says more work needs to be done. “We understand that the climate-smart program won’t apply for anything until Treasury (Department) does a final rule on the 45Z (rule) and if they even decide to incorporate it,” said Coleman. “That all depends on whether Congress repeals the 45Z and all the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) programs, there’s still that question out there. We would certainly like to be part of the climate-smart activities (and) will be certainly working to do that.” Coleman is also disappointed with the GREET model.

MFU Minute – Minnesota Farmers Union Policy Coordinator Lisa Holm talks about the alliance to support climate-smart agriculture. Listen to the update by clicking here. 

ARC/PLC, DMC Enrollment Dates Scheduled – USDA has announced the enrollment dates for its farm safety net programs. The signup for the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs will be held from January 21 to April 15. If farmers do not submit their election revision by mid-April to their local Farm Service Agency, their election will remain the same as their 2024 election. For Dairy Margin Coverage, the signup extends from January 29 to March 31. There are different levels of coverage in the voluntary DMC program.

Canada Promises ‘Robust’ Tariff Response – According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Trump Administration’s proposed 25 percent tariff on Canadian products will put American jobs at risk. Trudeau, who has announced his intention to step down, sent a message south of the border. “If indeed, the incoming administration moves forward with these unfair and unjust tariffs, Canada will respond,” said Trudeau. “We will respond in measured ways but in robust ways, demonstrating, once again, that Canadians know how to stand up for ourselves.” In response, a Trump spokesman said the incoming administration will implement economic and trade policies that will protect Americans.

EU-Mexico Ink a Trade Deal – The European Union and Mexico have come to terms on a new trade agreement. The deal still needs to be approved by both governments. Numerous products will become duty-free with this agreement, including agriculture and the food sector.

China’s Central Bank Pumps Money Into the Economy – China’s central bank has pumped a near record amount of liquidity into the banking system through its seven-day reverse repurchase agreements. The amount approaches the U.S. equivalent of $131 billion. This move happens at a time when the Chinese government is trying to prop up the value of its currency.

Fielding Questions – The Fielding Questions podcast is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network. In this podcast, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Marketing Education Specialist Cody Didier says the last USDA supply demand report was “the most bullish in a year and a half.” With the change in market direction, Didier sees the biggest opportunity moving forward is with Argentine weather conditions. How should farmers respond? Listen to the report for all the details.

Report Released on Foreign Farmland Ownership – Nearly 46 million acres of U.S. farmland are owned by foreign entities. Canadian owners represent the largest portion of that. USDA also cites the land owned by the combination of China, Iran, North Korea and Russia and it represents less than one percent of total foreign-held acreage.

Final Milk Marketing Order Rule is Out – USDA has issued its final rule on federal milk marketing orders. Most of the changes take effect on June 1. National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud said this change “will provide a firmer footing and fairer milk pricing.” For this region, there is an update for the make allowances for Class III milk. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said these reforms will not be uniform for dairy farmers across the country. Duvall is calling for a mandatory audited survey of the milk processing costs used to help establish make allowances.

Dairy Deadline Approaches – January 30 is the deadline for dairy farmers with milk losses due to the H5N1 virus. Farm Service Agency Assistant Deputy Administrator Kimberly Graham says this is through the ELAP or Emergency Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program. “In July of 2024, we made policy changes that allowed ELAP to also assist dairy producers who had incurred milk losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle were removed from their commercial dairy herds that tested positive for H5N1.”

MN Beef Update – Whitney Pittman Visser raises cattle and is in the Minnesota Beef Top-of-the-Class program. The program participants were in Colorado earlier this month. This report is made possible by the Minnesota Beef Council and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. Click here to listen.

P&S Act Transparency – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the third installment in a series of regulatory reforms under the Packers and Stockyards Act. This rule will inform chicken farmers about the company’s payment rates and provide information on the capital improvements required to keep or renew contracts.

Increased Avian Influenza Testing in MN, SD – USDA is calling for enhanced safety measures for turkey operations in Minnesota and South Dakota. Birds should be isolated, monitored and tested for avian influenza within 72 hours before going to slaughter. Other states will be added to increased testing protocols at a later date.

ASF Readiness – South Dakota State Veterinarian, Dr. Beth Thompson, addressed the 56th Annual South Dakota Pork Congress in Sioux Falls on Wednesday.  Thompson said she is confident the industry will be ready if and when African Swine Fever happens. “We have an excellent lab system across the United States and we have a lot of different avenues that we check on an hourly, daily, weekly basis for things like African Swine Fever,” said Thompson.  “I would tell the pork producers make sure that you’re keeping in contact with your state organizations, with your veterinarian, and continue to communicate if you see something going on with your own animals.”

Willing to Pay the Price – The cattle market continues to work higher. Cattle numbers are tight, but Ag Market.Net market analyst Jacob Burks also points to consumer demand. Even with a pullback in the general economy, Burks said the demand for beef at the meat  case remained strong. “It’s not true elasticity; if consumers want beef, it doesn’t matter what it costs. Right now, it seems like they’re going out there to get beef.”

Pork Checkoff Dollars at Work – The South Dakota Pork Congress was held last week in Sioux Falls. Dr. Meredith Peterson, director of swine health, National Pork Board, said important work is being done. “Programs like AgView, Secure Pork Supply, the Certified Swine Sample Collector Program; we have that suite of programs to really help producers become more prepared for FADs.”  Peterson said there is a lot of optimism in the pork industry.  “I think we had a lot of challenges over the past 18-24 months and people are now starting to get to the other side of that and hopefully we can see some progress in terms of profitability for the industry.”

Food Labeling Changes Proposed – The Food and Drug Administration is proposing a change in food labeling to make it easier for consumers to make healthier choices. Under this proposal, a simple nutrition information box would be placed on the front of the food packaging. It would list saturated fat, sodium and added sugars with each being categorized as low, medium or high in the percent of daily nutritional value. Public comments will be taken on this proposal until May 16.

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 continues to point to cattle as one of the ‘hot’ aspects of the market. Cattle futures are bumping up into all-time highs. “We need to throw corn into that mix; it is the market that is leading the grain market mainly because of the tighter supplies.” Wheat continues to be a drag on the markets “and is within reach of its contract lows.” Click here to hear the report.

Missed Opportunities – Looking back on 2024, Northland Farm Business Management Instructor Ron Dvergsten said there were a lot of missed opportunities. “The lack of timely marketing of carryover inventory of the 2023 crop cost many producers a fair amount of working capital just with the decrease in value,” said Dvergsten. “Some of that may still be binned at this point and we know how the markets eroded.” Going into this growing season, Dvergsten said farmers shouldn’t cheat their crops on the necessary inputs. However, “this is not the time to do a lot of experimental agronomic practices.” Belt-tightening is the recommendation for the year ahead.

Global Nitrogen Producers Face Setbacks – U.S. nitrogen fertilizer markets have seen an uptick to start the year due to global supplies. China, in particular, has curbed urea exports to the tune of a five million ton shortfall. “That is something that could change very quickly, but just not today,” said StoneX Vice President of Fertilizer Josh Linville. Iran, which tends to fly under the radar in the nitrogen sector, is also a factor. “They are about the same size as China and last year Iran exported 4.8 million tons, but their production is currently offline. Their natural gas supplies aren’t available, so production has had to shut down.” With European nitrogen production also taking a hit to start 2025, U.S. markets will feel the impact.

Lerner Offers Planting Season Forecast – World Weather Incorporated Senior Agricultural Meteorologist Drew Lerner says the Upper Midwest could see drier weather the rest of winter and into spring. “It will probably be more cold than warm and so that is a good thing because that way we’ll conserve the moisture that we have in the soil.” Lerner expects a shift in the weather pattern as the growing season approaches. “The tendency for us to warm up will be greatest when we get into April and I’m hoping that we’ll get some timely rain events that will come with that warming.” Lerner was part of the South Dakota Corn Conference program.

Flood Outlook – The November moisture frozen in the soil could lead to flooding issues in the Red River Valley in the spring. Grand Forks-based National Weather Service Service Hydrologist Amanda Lee says the mild winter has helped offset that. “We have not had a lot of snow (and) not a lot of water content in that snow so not a lot to melt and runoff,” said Lee. “It’s only the middle of January, we still have a lot of winter left to go. The spring is always a wild card.” Lee spoke at the Red River Basin Commission Land and Water International Summit Conference in Grand Forks.

A Supply Reversal – Surplus crop supplies contributed to lower commodity prices in recent years. However, that could change in 2025 if USDA’s latest supply and demand report is any indication.  “We see these ag cycles and we’ve been on a downward trend for the past two years after peaking in 2022 when we had record net farm income,” said Chad Hart, Extension economist, Iowa State University. “We’ve watched that get cut by at least 25-30 percent over the last couple of years, but now we’re getting these prices down low enough that it is starting to reinvigorate, especially international demand.” Hart spoke at the NDSU Crop Insurance Conference.

Ag PhD Hosting Crops Workshop in Fargo – Raising crops in the Northern Plains has its own challenges. Ag PhD co-host Darren Hefty says the short growing season is one of the issues. “We know we’re going to be planting into cold soils; we know we’re going to have seed and seedling diseases and we know there’s going to be a limited window to get everything done,” said Hefty. “We do have a lot of sunlight and we do have some long days during the summer, how can we best take advantage of that? We’ll be talking about solar radiation and how that can play into a huge advantage that we’ve got as we move north.” Ag PhD is hosting a northern ag-specific workshop on Friday in Fargo. Go online for more details.

Beet Stock Values – American Crystal Sugar Company beet stock has found a home at $5,500 per share for the past month. According to Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke, 667 shares have traded since December 20 for an average price just under $5,500. Menke said 178 shares were brokered last week at $5,500 per share.

Weed Control is Not the Place to Save Money – Common Ragweed is one of the three major glyphosate-resistant weeds in the Northern Plains. University of Minnesota-North Dakota State University Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist Tom Peters says the timing of herbicide application could make all the difference. “Our most important herbicide is called Stinger and Stinger is still working, but one of my messages is to make sure that we keep weed size under two inches.” Application rates make up the other half of the equation. “Weed control’s not the area to save money,” said Peters. “Especially with weeds like ragweed that if it goes to seed, that seed can be viable for 20 years. We’ve got to get out there early and we have to use the appropriate rates.”

Aphids Susceptible to Resistance – Insecticide resistance continues to be a focus. University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae reminds farmers to stay up to date on their herbicide practices, especially where aphids are involved. “You see an asexual reproduction all the way through the summer so if you have a couple of individuals in those populations that survive insecticide, that’s going to get magnified through that population fairly quickly,” said MacRae. “There’s six to eight generations of aphids every year so you get a rapid turnover.” Due to the level of resistance in aphids, MacRae urges patience. “What I would recommend is only treating when you have those thresholds at 250 aphids per plant.”

MN CREP Expands – The Minnesota Water Quality and Habitat Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program has expanded to include an additional 12 counties and increased the enrollment goal to 75,000 acres. This program is now available in 66 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. The program is offered jointly by USDA and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Eligible farmers and landowners can qualify for annual rental payments for up to 50 percent cost-share for installing approved conservation projects and incentive payments for certain practices.

USDA & MN Expand CREP Collaboration – Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Executive Director John Jaschke believes the expansion of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program will help restore waterways throughout the Red River Valley. “This expansion will allow us to offer landowners a voluntary opportunity to restore wetlands, restore channels, to work with those projects through watershed districts or soil and water conservation districts basin-wide.” Jaschke says a lot of the work they’re doing is to help farmers manage their soil health. “If we can make sure it’s done right, with the right people doing it the right way, we can get some real productivity benefits that also provide economic improvements as well.”

MN Corn Matters – Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Jim Kanten is featured in the MN Corn Matters with information about the upcoming MN Ag Expo. Find out more at this link. 

State Invests in Water Quality – The Red River Basin Commission hosted its annual Land and Water International Summit Conference in Grand Forks. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen highlighted state initiatives. “A lot of drainage upgrades, but also water quality upgrades, whether that’s our Water Quality Certification Program, the different loans and grants that the Department of Agriculture has and practices that farmers are doing.” Another focus has been the expansion of weather stations throughout the state. “We really wanted to expand our weather network in Minnesota like North Dakota has with NDAWN. So, some discussions we had here led to the expansion of 70 new stations in Minnesota and we’re looking to expand that further next year.”

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, Larry Cowling is a water quality-certified producer from Martin County, who also has the climate-smart farm endorsement at his farm. Click here. 

Groundwater Protection Map Updated – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has updated the maps for its groundwater protection rule. Areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination face restrictions on fall nitrogen fertilizer applications. The map can be found on the MDA website.

Noem Begins SD Session With SOTS – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem delivered her last State of the State address before joining the Trump cabinet. Noem offered a ‘top ten’ list, touting why South Dakota is an example for the rest of the country. Agriculture was part of that list. “I’m proud that we’ve preserved our ag operations; that we’ve opened up new markets for commodities; we’ve strengthened biofuels production in this state and we’ve protected South Dakota agriculture from interference by evil foreign governments like communist China. We have put South Dakota in a position to be stronger than ever before.” Noem also announced a new partnership between the State of South Dakota, the South Dakota Ag Foundation, and First Dakota National Bank for the Keep Farmers Farming program.

Walz Unveils Budget Plan – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has released a budget proposal that includes a sales tax cut. The budget also expands the Minnesota sustainable aviation fuel tax credit and supports growth of that industry. There’s also money to shorten the permitting and environmental process. However, there is a $1 million cut for county feedlot officers. The investment in the state green fertilizer grant program is cut from $7 million to $3 million.

Little Change in MDA Budget – According to Minnesota Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vaubel, Governor Tim Walz left the agriculture budget largely unchanged. “There was a budget forecast that came out in November that wasn’t very rosy, but we’re happy to see that a lot of the proposed agricultural budget will hold strong.” The MDA budget includes the tax cut for sustainable aviation fuel. There will be a small increase in the MDA’s operating budget. “A lot of things we do will hold, like the grants we provide and services like meat inspection and dairy.”

Checkoff Rate Increase Sought – The North Dakota Barley Council is seeking approval to increase the state checkoff from two cents to three cents per bushel. NDBC Chairman Nathan Boll testified before the House Agriculture Committee, saying the increase would help growers keep pace with rising costs and shrinking barley acres. “Increasing that one penny would give us more operating funds to continue the projects that we’ve been working on,” explained Boll. “We’re just seeing year-over-year expenses go up and our last checkoff increase was 2009. We’re seeing Minnesota where they didn’t raise a checkoff (rate) and in December they voted to disband. If you don’t keep your commodity relevant, you send barley adrift.”

ND Beef Commission Structure is Back in Front of the Legislature – A familiar issue is being reviewed in Bismarck. House Bill 1207 deals with the governance of the North Dakota Beef Commission. Zach Carlson who represented the Dakota Resource Council,  called for changes in the system for electing or appointing members to the beef checkoff board. “HB1207 will end a system where independent cattle producers have to join an organization to be considered for the beef board,” said Carlson. “As it stands now, the people needed to advocate changes in the cattle and beef industries are the ones who will be looked over.” Ray Erbele is a former member of the NDBC and is opposed to this proposal. “I had the privilege of serving as chairman and during that time I was very impressed with the structure and the selection of people on the board because every segment of the industry is represented,” testified Erbele. “I’m of the mindset that we shouldn’t fix something that’s not broken.” The House Agriculture Committee is taking more time to review the issue before scheduling a vote.

Key Committee Reviews SBARE Priorities – The Senate government operations appropriations committee reviewed funding requests for NDSU Extension, the Research Outreach Centers, Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute this past week. NDSU Extension Vice President of Agriculture Dr. Greg Lardy emphasized the importance of these investments. “These solutions are an investment in the future of North Dakota and provide a return on investment through enhanced yield, productivity, better milling characteristics in grains that lead to enhanced consumer acceptance and additional market opportunities, improved livestock performance, and more cost-effective input solutions. More importantly, these solutions provide a means to enhance the state’s economy and improve the economic condition of our communities large and small across the state.” The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education priorities include funding for the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, a focus on digital agriculture and precision farming, and an investment in animal health diagnostics.

ND Legislative Report – State Board of Agricultural Research and Education Chair Sarah Lovas is our guest in this week’s North Dakota Legislative Report. With NDSU and SBARE in Bismarck this past week to outline funding priorities, Lovas explains the unique role North Dakota has with SBARE. Click here to listen to the report.

Dry Bean Industry Meets in Fargo – The wintery weather did not slow down attendance at this year’s 50th annual Bean Day in Fargo on Friday.  Northarvest Bean Growers Association President Eric Jorgenson said it’s the group’s annual meeting that always features a lot of information for producers.  “We have a whole slew of vendors that come, anything from seed dealers to equipment dealers, and you can come visit with them and see what you can find to help your organization grow and help you prosper.”  Jorgenson said the future is bright for dry beans.  “We do have a good supply of dry beans on hand, especially pintos and blacks, but we do have some sales coming up that I think will help work that product through the system and hopefully there’s potential that we have a good price coming in the future.”

Dry Bean Scene – North Central Commodities General Manager Dylan Karley will be part of a panel discussion at the USA Dry Beans, Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas Mx-Latam Conference in Cancun this week. Karley will discuss the 2024 crop situation. Click here to listen.

Bean Day to Merge With ISBI – During the 50^th annual Bean Day, the Northarvest Bean Growers Association announced changes for the event in 2026. Northarvest Executive Director Mitch Coulter said there will be a merger with the International Sugarbeet Institute. “We’re looking forward to that opportunity to have a little bit bigger space,” said Coulter. “We’re going to be at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks with more speakers and we’ll be able to display equipment.”

A Layered Approach – Early season weed control is advised. “A small weed is an easier weed to kill,” voiced Marsha Van Laere, Northern Plains sales representative, Gowan Company.  During Friday’s Bean Day, Van Laere said a layered approach is best. “When we use a pre-emerge, we’re going to layer that out there. The nice thing with Sonalan, Eptam and Permit is it is three different modes of action so we’re going to layer those out and come back post with other chemistries so that’s another layering. The key is getting as many modes of action as we can to control the weeds.” Gowan sponsored the Red River Farm Network coverage from the 50th Bean Day event in Fargo.

Hoping for a Beer Market Rebound – One of the biggest negative impacts on the barley industry in recent years has been the decline in beer sales. Steven Edwardson, executive administrator, North Dakota Barley Council, said that has been concerning. “Less demand for malt and less demand for the barley to make the malt,” said Edwardson.  “Hopefully, that is a consumer demographic that will change at some point.”  Growing competition from cannabis and ready-to-drink cocktails has contributed to the slump in beer sales.

Markets, Weather Highlighted at SD Corn Conference – South Dakota corn growers gathered in Sioux Falls over the weekend for their annual conference. Markets and weather dominated discussions. “Two of the biggest unknowns when you’re farming are the weather and markets, so we’re trying to get a better insight into what’s to come in this year,” said South Dakota Corn Growers Association President Dave Ellens. Another topic that received a lot of chatter was sustainable aviation fuel. “SAF is a new huge market for corn growers.”

Prioritizing Ethanol Education and Promotion – A big focus of the South Dakota corn checkoff is on ethanol production and promotion. “We’re just continually trying to support ethanol and ethanol at the gas pump, while providing consumer education and hopefully keep that needle moving a little bit at a time,” explained Jim Ketelhut, president, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.” The push for cleaner fuels helps both the environment and corn farmers. “Anything we can do to support environmentally friendly fuel is going to help the corn grind, and in the long run, our bottom line. When you have companies like United and Delta Airlines commit to 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, it makes you sit up and pay attention.”

Delta VP: SAF Works, But Supply Is Limited – Many airlines have already pledged to use ethanol-blended fuels heading forward. If those airlines are going to meet their goals, Delta Airlines Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs Jeff Davidman said more sustainable aviation fuel will be needed. “The great thing about SAF is it’s a product that we know that works today, we actually fly with it already today.” The problem is there’s very little that gets produced. “Back in 2023, just about 25 million gallons in the U.S. were produced and we need to get to 3 billion gallons by 2030. So, Delta’s working really hard, both as a value chain partner and from a policy standpoint, to try and scale that industry.” Davidman had a simple message for South Dakota corn growers. “We are a consumer that really is looking to buy this product and we need more of it produced.”

ND Custom Farm Rates Updated – NDSU Extension and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station conduct a study of custom farm work rates every four years. As expected the rates seen this past year were much higher than seen in 2020. As an example, vertical tillage averaged $15.78 per acre in 2024, up from $10.74 four years earlier. The rate for chopping corn silage was $116.23 per acre last year, up from $81.25 per acre in 2020. The rate for straight combining of small grains averaged $36.49 per acre, up 11 percent from the previous report. The full report can be found on the NDSU Extension website.

Auctions Flush With Late-Model Farm Equipment – With consolidation in the farm equipment business, dealers are capitalized differently and have a different relationship with the manufacturer than was seen just a decade ago. ‘Machinery Pete’ Greg Peterson says those dealers have a glut of late-model equipment. “That’s why you saw this big jump in tractors, sprayers, and planters taken to auction,” said Peterson. “The losses the dealers are taking are significant, but they don’t really have a good option, because they’re paid eight percent holding costs. That’s where the cost of new (equipment) rising over the last decade made that problematic if you’re a dealer.” Manufacturers and dealers are being forced to work down the inventory levels. Peterson, who spoke at Bean Day, said farmers should not assume they will have the same leverage they had ten years ago. The dealers today have moved the price of new equipment so high, they need to maintain those values. Peterson will also be featured at this week’s MN Ag Expo in Mankato. The full interview with Peterson is available here. 

UM Receives OILSEED Grant – The University of Minnesota has been awarded a $10 million grant for the federal Oilseed Crops to Sustain the Environment and Meet Energy Demand or OILSEED project. This is one of six projects selected nationwide to promote the production of low-carbon intensity crops for the clean energy sector. The University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service will host field research while Cargill will provide analytical services at no cost. These partners will also provide $2.5 million in matching funds. This project will focus on camelina and pennycress as a harvestable winter crop in a rotation between a grain crop and soybeans.

MFBF Minute – In this week’s edition of the MFBF Minute, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Leadership Coordinator Rachael Peterson talks about the LEAP Conference. Click here to listen.  

Strategic Farming Webinar Series for Ag Professionals – University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a series of Strategic Farming Webinars geared towards helping farmers and ag professionals with a variety of topics. Every Wednesday morning, there’s a new topic with current research-based knowledge from the University of Minnesota. A broad range of topics will be covered over the 12 sessions. “We started with nitrogen,” said Matthew Pfarr, Regional Extension Crops Educator. “We’ll go into other fertilizers as well. We do crop protection topics. We’ve got weed science, entomology, ag economics and a little bit of the environmental impact of ag as well so we’re covering a lot of ground with these seminars.” More information about the webinars can be found here.

Mosaic and Fosfatados Centro Agree on Sale of Phosphate Mine – The Mosaic Company has announced a deal to sell a phosphate mine in Brazil. A Brazilian company is buying the mine for $125 million in cash over six years. This agreement is subject to regulatory approval.

Regulatory Approval for Bunge-Viterra Deal – The Canadian government has approved Bunge’s merger with Viterra. This regulatory approval depends on Bunge’s sale of six grain elevators in Western Canada. Bunge has also agreed to invest the U.S. equivalent of $362 million in Canada within the next five years. This deal is valued at $34 billion.

JBS Settles Labor Investigation – The Labor Department announced an agreement with JBS USA to settle an investigation into the violation of child labor practices. JBS will spend $4 million in scholarships, literacy training, job training, housing and similar efforts in Worthington, Minnesota and four other communities served by JBS processing plants.

Deere Expands Self-Repair Options – John Deere is expanding the customers’ ability to maintain and repair their own equipment. Deere’s suite of digital solutions will allow farmers and independent repair technicians to reprogram the company-manufactured electronic controllers. The new options are being integrated into the John Deere Operations Center and will offer the ability to diagnose and repair equipment.

Deere Sued – The Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general from Minnesota and Illinois are suing John Deere. The lawsuit alleges Deere’s equipment repair policies violate federal antitrust laws and drive up farmers’ costs. Meanwhile, Deere expanded its digital suite earlier this week to allow farmers and independent repair technicians to maintain and repair their equipment.

AgSense 365 to Debut in March – Valley Irrigation will release its next-evolution app called AgSense 365 in March. This consolidates four legacy irrigation technology systems; AgSense, Valley 365, PrecisionKing and PivotTrac.

Bel Brands to Double Capacity at SD Plant – The Bel Brands cheese processing plant in Brookings is expanding. The groundbreaking for the $150 million project will happen in the spring. The project should be operational by 2027.

Capital Improvements Planned at MN State Fair – The governing body for the Minnesota State Fair has approved key capital improvements. The largest project is a $22 million update to the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum. That’s the centerpiece for youth and open-class livestock and horse exhibitions at the fair. The Minnesota State Agricultural Society is also bumping admission tickets and parking fees for 2025. Former University of Minnesota Extension Educator Chuck Schwartau was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. Schwartau began his involvement with the Minnesota State Fair in 1963 as a 4-H swine exhibitor. He was a 4-H judge, managed livestock and dairy shows and served as president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs.

Trump Appoints South Dakotan for USDA Post – A South Dakotan will be the next USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Luke Lindberg is the president and chief executive officer of South Dakota Trade. Lindberg is also a Senior Fellow at the America First Policy Institute. Agriculture Secretary-designate Brooke Rollins is AFPI’s president and CEO. Previously, Lindberg was the chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. If confirmed, Lindberg will be the third individual in this role, following Ted McKinney and Alexis Taylor.

USDA Posts Filled – President-elect Donald Trump has filled three other individuals for USDA undersecretary positions. Former Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce has been nominated as the undersecretary for farm production and conservation. In the first Trump administration, Fordyce was the Farm Service Agency administrator. Dudley Hoskins was appointed the undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Hoskins serves as the Senate Agriculture Committee counsel and previously served as the chief of staff for USDA marketing and regulatory programs and senior advisor to the agriculture secretary. Michael Boren will be the undersecretary for natural resources and environment. Boren is now an Idaho businessman.

New Role for Stabenow – Former Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow has joined the Liberty Partners Group lobbying firm. Stabenow spent four terms in the U.S. Senate

Thompson Named Wheat Leader of the Year – The National Association of Wheat Growers named House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson with its 2024 Wheat Leader of the Year Award. NAWG also presented four other members of Congress with its Wheat Advocate Award, including North Dakota Senator John Hoeven.

NAWG Elects New Officer Team – The National Association of Wheat Growers elected Pat Clements as president. Clements is a sixth-generation wheat farmer from Kentucky. Jamie Kress of Idaho was elected vice president. Nathan Keane of Montana is the treasurer and Chris Tanner of Kansas is the new secretary.

Modern Ag Alliance Appoints New Executive Director – Elizabeth Burns-Thompson has joined the Modern Ag Alliance as its executive director. In this role, she will advocate for continued access to crop protection tools. Most recently, Burns-Thompson was the vice president of external affairs for Landus. Previously, she worked for Navigator CO2 Ventures and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of ag stakeholders and was founded by Bayer.

Boehm Leads NCI – The Northern Crops Institute has named its new director. David Boehm has been NCI’s technical manager since 2019 and the co-interim director for nearly a year. Previously, Boehm worked for SES VanderHave and AgriPro Wheat.

A Promotion for Grace Simpson – Grace Simpson is the new manager of membership and communications for the Animal Agriculture Alliance. Simpson was a coordinator in this department for the past three years.

From AgCountry to Nat’l Bison Association – The National Bison Association has hired Adam Albricht of Alexandria, Minnesota as its program and communications coordinator. Albricht will also continue to serve as the executive director of the Minnesota Bison Association. Most recently, Albricht was with AgCountry Farm Credit Services.

Bean Day Honors – During Bean Day, the Northarvest Bean Growers Association recognized Dr. B. Pam Ismail from the University of Minnesota Plant Protein Innovation Center and retired NDSU Extension Cropping Systems Specialist Greg Endres. Ismail received the Friend of Bean Award and Endres took home the Bean Industry Achievement Award.

Dairy Excellence – During the North Dakota Dairy Convention, a Montpelier farm was honored with the Commissioner’s Award of Dairy Excellence. Naze Dairy has a 65-cow dairy herd and has been in business for 27 years. The Milk Producers of North Dakota also presented its Milky Way Award to Wanzek Dairy of Windsor and its Merit Award to Becky Gietzen of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.