Maduro Captured by U.S. Forces, Faces Federal Charges – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been captured by U.S. forces and brought to the United States to face federal criminal charges. The operation follows a superseding federal indictment in the Southern District of New York, accusing Maduro and associates of narco-terrorism and large-scale drug trafficking. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer praised the operation, saying, “there are clearly no half measures with President Trump.” North Dakota Senator John Hoeven also highlighted the significance of the action, stating, “Nicolas Maduro was indicted in the U.S. for drug crimes that have killed too many Americans, and he is the head of a drug cartel that has taken over a country, which is why President Trump took decisive action.” Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar released a statement, saying she is strongly opposed to the action. “Wars for regime change can lead to unintended consequences,” said Klobuchar.

Policy Expert Breaks Down Venezuela, Trade Implications – Policy Solutions President Jay Truitt says the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could have ripple effects on global oil markets and agricultural trade, particularly with China and other Central and South American countries. Truitt notes that while Venezuela accounts for only about half of one percent of the world’s oil supply, its heavy crude reserves could influence global pricing if redirected. “The whole world’s going to flex here a little bit,” Truitt said. “China is going to be hurt. I think the United States, for the most part, is largely unimpacted initially. Long term, though, think it probably could lower crude oil prices even in the United States as some of that product begins to flow in and through the U.S.” Truitt also highlighted potential impacts on U.S. agricultural trade. “I do think that the actions in Venezuela probably increase the anxiety of some of the other countries in Central and South America, one of which is a massive competitor for us on the soybean front and on the beef front. That may be a little bit concerned about how far the United States goes to chase down narco terrorists, which, for lack of a better term, that’s how they’re being defined today.”

A Muted Market Response to Venezuela Military Action – The U.S. military action in Venezuela over the weekend has dominated the news, but AgBull Trading President Tommy Grisafi is seeing a limited impact on the markets. “When you look at Venezuela, all eyes are on oil; they have a very heavy oil, like what Canada has, but it’s not like we’re going to have access to that oil right away.” Grisafi said U.S.access to Venezuela’s crude oil reserves could impact Canadian oil, putting pressure on Canada to be more willing to negotiate trade with the United States. The U.S. action in Venezuela reflects a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign policy. The Red River Farm Network asked Grisafi if that would impact our position on the world stage, especially with our best customers. “I think they wouldn’t be happy with what we did, but on the other hand, they sure as heck have to be impressed with how well we did it.” President Trump’s action puts other drug source countries, like Colombia and Mexico, on notice. “I was a little concerned about our trade with Mexico; they’re a large buyer of corn, but we’ll have to see.”

Farmer Bridge Assistance Payment Rates Now Known – In the final hours of 2025, USDA announced the payment rates for the new Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Those rates include soybeans at $30.88 per acre, corn at $44.36, wheat at $39.35 and barley at $20.51. The per-acre rate for canola is $23.57; sunflowers are $17.32; oats is $81.75 and lentils are $23.98. Cotton and rice payments are in excess of $100 per acre. A payment rate calculator is available on the USDA website. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “USDA is making this process as simple and seamless as possible.” FBA payments are expected to be in the farmers’ bank accounts by February 28^th.

Ag Leaders Weigh in on FBA Payment Rates – A total of $11 billion in the Farmer Bridge Assistance program is going to eligible row crop producers. The remaining $1 billion in the package is allocated for specialty crops and sugar growers. The timeline and payment rates for those farmers are still under development. While the help is appreciated, American Soybean Association President Scott Metzger urged the White House to focus on immediate, actionable actions to open international and domestic markets for U.S. soybeans. National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower had a similar sentiment, saying corn farmers need the Administration and Congress to develop markets that will provide more long-term certainty. While the newly announced rates won’t make farmers whole for the losses suffered in 2025, National Association of Wheat Growers President Pat Clemens said it will help lighten the blow of a challenging year.

Larger Farms Penalized in FBA Program – According to Paul Neiffer of the Farm CPA Report, the FBA program penalizes large-acreage farms. “Larger is in the eye of the beholder,” said Neiffer. “Wheat–you only need 4,000 acres and that’s not a large producer; believe me, in wheat country you barely survive on 4,000 acres.” The payment limit is $155,000 per individual or entity.

Uncertainty Lingers Over Federal Assistance – Questions remain about the new federal assistance. “They announced the numbers, but they didn’t announce what percentage we’re going to get of that,” said Austen Germolus, who farms at Ada, Minnesota. “It’s kinda up in the air right now. I think with ECAP (Emergency Commodity Assistance Program), we got 85 percent, and with the SDRPs (Supplemental Disaster Relief Program), we got 35 percent, so time will tell how much we’ll actually get.” The 35 percent payment factor was applied to all stage 1 SDRP payments. Germolus is vice president of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers.

Frustration – While more details are available about the bridge payments, there’s still frustration in farm country. Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers President Kevin Leiser appreciates a helping hand to deal with a very difficult farm economy. “But, I liken it to you get a big cut on your arm and you put a little Band-Aid over it, well, you’re still bleeding.” Leiser, who farms at Fertile, Minnesota, said something has to change. “Right now, the saddest part about wheat is we can’t even break even on it. To me, that’s just sad.”

State-by-State Projections – An analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation estimates potential Farmer Bridge Assistance payments of $752 million in North Dakota, $674 million in Minnesota and $548 million in South Dakota. Texas is the state projected to receive the highest FBA payments at $1.1 billion, followed by Iowa, Kansas and Illinois.

A Possible January Release of the Farm Bill Text – Before the holiday break, the Midwest Council on Agriculture was in Washington, D.C. for its annual meeting. The group also met with lawmakers and officials from USDA and EPA. Council President Perry Aasness said House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson is preparing to release a farm bill text next month. “If a farm bill’s going to get done, it would seem like it would have to be done in the first quarter before things get into the campaign season,” said Aasness. “(House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn) GT Thompson’s committed and in talking to some other members on the ag committee, there’s some pent-up demand to get something done.” The availability of ag labor is a priority for the Midwest Council on Agriculture. “What agriculture heard in the past few years from many on Capitol Hill was that we can’t deal with ag labor reform or some type of reform package until the border is secure, well, the border is secured and I think agriculture wants something done.” Listen to the full interview.

Stagflation Expected to Persist – AgriBusiness Global has released its annual forecast for factors expected to influence agriculture in 2026. The report predicts that input prices will remain flat or rise as suppliers compete for a smaller pool of farm purchases. China’s ongoing economic pressures, combined with its large pesticide manufacturing capacity, are expected to keep global margins tight. While this benefits farmers using crop inputs, profitability across the supply chain is likely to remain constrained. The report also highlights continuing stagflation, with flat demand in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In the U.S., food consumption may slow further amid increased use of obesity drugs and the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

Plan Now the for New Crop Year – While 2025 is in the books, planning for the New Year is underway. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse says it all starts with cash flow. “I think farmers need to start from the ground floor and be able to cover their costs and show a profit if that’s possible.” The Farmer Bridge Assistance program is getting attention now, with the payments coming in late February. Thiesse also points out updates to Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage in the One Big Beautiful Bill. “For the 2025 year only, farmers will get the higher of any ARC-County payments or Price Loss Coverage payments,” said Thiesse. “Going forward to 2026, the signup will be until March 15th at all Farm Service Agency offices, and farmers will have to choose between PLC or ARC-County for the 2026 crop year.”

More Interest Rate Cuts in ’26 – Minutes from the Federal Reserve Board’s December meeting have been released and it points to more interest rate cuts in 2026. Most of the Fed governors suggested further rate reductions if inflation declines as expected. The Fed cut rates three times this past year.

Tax Deadlines Approaching – Tax season is right around the corner. “Producers are always thinking about tax planning this time of the year,” said Ron Haugen, farm management specialist, NDSU Extension. “Really, producers should think about tax planning throughout the year. When you do tax planning, it’s always best to make a good estimate of what your income and expenses will be for the year and also estimate your depreciation.” There are some important dates coming up for farmers to remember. “March 2nd of 2026, they can file the returns without any penalties if they don’t have to do any withholding or make any deposits. If they have their taxes roughed out and they know if they owe, they can make a deposit by January 15th and then they’re allowed to file by April 15th with everybody else.”

U.S. Potato Growers Seek Trade Probe Into Canada – The National Potato Council has formally asked the Office of the United States Trade Representative to launch a Section 332 fact-finding investigation into Canadian trade practices that may be limiting U.S. potato exports. In a letter to Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Julie Callahan, the group said long-standing trade barriers are costing U.S. growers millions and need immediate federal review. The request focuses on British Columbia’s anti-dumping duties on U.S. fresh potatoes, first imposed in 1984 and tightened again in July 2025. The council also cited broader competitive challenges in the Upper Midwest, including currency exchange rates, freight advantages, and Canadian government programs. North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan growers are seeing increased market pressure, prompting the council to seek a clear set of facts from the U.S. International Trade Commission before any further trade action.

Potato Expo Coverage on RRFN – Potato Expo will be held this week in Dallas. This is the largest potato industry conference and trade show in North America. Potato Expo brings together growers, suppliers and industry leaders from across the country. The Red River Farm Network is providing exclusive coverage from the show. This coverage will be on-air and online and is sponsored by Yara, the National Potato Council, Gowan, Northland Potato Growers Association and AMVAC.

Monopoly Busters Caucus Criticize USDA Decision – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and 11 of her Democratic colleagues are upset with the White House for eliminating a federal-state partnership that focused on anticompetitive market structures in the food and ag sector. This collaboration between USDA and state attorneys general in over 30 states was established in 2023. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the coalition stated that consolidation within the ag and food industry is significant, and both farmers and consumers are affected.

MFU Minute – In the MFU Minute, Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish discusses the current farm financial crisis. In addition to low commodity prices and high input costs, rising healthcare expenses are a concern. Listen to the report. 

Feedback Sought on Foreign Land Ownership Reporting Requirements – A notice has been published in the Federal Register seeking public comments on potential changes to the reporting requirement for foreign land ownership. The issue of foreign ownership of farmland has been in the news since 2021, when a Chinese company, Fufeng, purchased land in Grand Forks to build a manufacturing plant. The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act has not been updated in nearly 30 years.

Corn Matters – In Corn Matters, Minnesota Corn Growers Association District Field Manager Luke Haggerty previews several events for state corn farmers. Click here.

Seeking Self-Sufficiency – Chinese officials have repeated a familiar theme at a rural conference this past week in Beijing. They have called for an increase in grain and oilseed production and less reliance on imports. This call for self-sufficiency has been heard for many years, but tensions with the United States may finally push China into action.

China Increases Tariff on Beef Imports – China has slapped an additional 55 percent tariff on beef imports from the United States, Brazil, Australia and other countries. The tariffs kick in when shipments exceed certain quota levels. China has already imposed enhanced inspection protocols at its ports creating a backlog for imports. As an example, 4,000 containers are reportedly stuck in the Shanghai port.

What’s Hot What’s Not in the Markets – Randy Martinson of Martinson Ag Risk Management says cattle and precious metals remain the hottest markets, with cattle testing strong resistance levels and gold and silver continuing their upward momentum. On the downside, grains are struggling. Corn is trading near support at $4.35 for March, wheat is testing new lows in Minneapolis and Kansas City, and soybeans have pulled back from November highs, approaching October lows. Martinson said the grain markets may see some strength return once trading resumes fully. Click here to listen to the full report.

SovEcon: Russian Wheat Exports Expected to Increase – The grain consulting firm, SovEcon, has bumped up its forecast for Russian wheat exports by 400,000 tons to 44.6 million tons. Russia’s export year started slowly but has now moved to near-record levels. December wheat exports totaled 4.2 million tons, up from 3.4 million one year ago.

Italian Pasta Tariff Decision Reversed – The Trump Administration has reversed a previous decision and will not impose massive tariffs on Italian pasta. In September, the Commerce Department said 92 percent duties would take effect as soon as January. On Wednesday, the announcement was made that the two biggest Italian pasta exporters will have tariffs of 2.3 percent and just under 14 percent, respectively. Eleven other pasta companies are being levied just over nine percent in tariffs. In addition, these companies are subject to the U.S.’s 15 percent tariff on European Union imports. An antidumping review is continuing with a final report due in March.

Additional NWS Cases Confirmed in Mexico – Mexico reported two cases of New World screwworm in two days. On Wednesday, the Mexican government identified a screwworm detection in a six-day-old calf approximately 200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. On New Year’s Day, the parasite was confirmed in a goat near Mexico City. The border remains closed to Mexican livestock and that policy isn’t expected to change soon with these new cases.

MN Beef Update – In the Minnesota Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt offers a New Year’s message. Click here.

Competition Questions Loom Over Proposed Rail Merger – The pending merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway still has hurdles to clear before being finalized. “The Surface Transportation Board has to review and ultimately decide on the merger, and that’s expected to be at the earliest in early 2027,” said Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. Questions still need to be answered. “Will this merger actually enhance competition in this country? That’s a very important word; it’s not just maintaining competition, it has to enhance competition. Lastly, they have to demonstrate that these advertised efficiencies and enhancements are only achievable through an actual consolidation, or a formal merger.”

2026 Trade Missions Target Key Global Markets – The USDA will host six international Agribusiness Trade Missions in 2026 to expand and diversify global market opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. USDA officials say increasing exports is critical to the health of both the agricultural sector and the broader U.S. economy. The agency plans to focus on markets where its trade expansion efforts have helped create a more level playing field for U.S. producers. The 2026 missions are scheduled for Indonesia in February, the Philippines in April, Turkey in May, Australia and New Zealand in August, Saudi Arabia in September, and Vietnam in November.

Canola Minute – In this edition of Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director Barry Coleman reflects on the 2025 canola crop. Click here. 

USDA Updates R & D Priorities – Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has signed a Secretary’s Memorandum with new research and development priorities. The overall priority list includes increasing profitability for farmers and ranchers, expanding markets and protecting American agriculture from invasive species. The top five R&D priorities are rounded out by the promotion of soil health and improving human health through precision nutrition and food quality. Rollins said these priorities highlight President Trump’s commitment to putting farmers first.

Product of USA Label Change – With the New Year, consumers will see a label change for meat, poultry and egg products. A rule was finalized in 2024 that required ‘Product of USA’ food labels to be used only on products coming from animals that were born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. The rule took effect January 1. The previous regulations allowed animals born, raised or slaughtered outside the United States to have the USA label if they were packaged in the U.S. The ‘Product of USA’ label is voluntary and not a requirement for food companies.

Monitoring Regional Soil Test Data – Agvise has released its annual summary of regional soil test data. Agvise Soil Scientist John Breker says nitrogen is the nutrient that sees the most change from year to year. “That’s the one thing that has a lot of environmental variables, whether it be soil temperature and moisture conditions that drive both crop yield, nitrogen uptake and mineralization potential, as well as potential losses,” said Breker. “There were some areas in the southern parts of Minnesota that were extremely wet this past year, and they had more nitrogen losses, whereas up in the northern Red River Valley, we were quite dry throughout most of the season so we didn’t really have much nitrogen losses through May, June, and July until some of the late-season rains came.” When looking at phosphorus, potassium, or any of the micronutrients, Breker sees a lot of regionality in the soil samples. Agvise is hosting its winter meetings this week in Willmar, Watertown, and Grand Forks.

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. Tyler Trieglaff and his family won the 2025 Minnesota Outstanding Conservationist award and talks about projects that they completed. Listen to the update. 

NDSU Study: Topsoil Loss Could Cost Farmers – North Dakota State University researchers are quantifying the economic cost of topsoil loss, estimating that erosion and tillage can cost farmers more than $6,600 if six inches of soil are removed. The analysis shows that more than $1,100 in value is lost for every inch of topsoil due to nutrient depletion and the loss of soil organic matter. The study examined soil eroded into a roadside ditch near Highway 2 west of Grand Forks, revealing significant levels of essential crop nutrients and organic matter. While fertilizers can replace some nutrients, rebuilding organic matter could take over 150 years even under ideal management practices. Researchers emphasize that preventing erosion through reduced tillage and cover crops is far more cost-effective than attempting to replace lost topsoil.

Dietary Guidelines Report Coming Soon – The latest version of the Dietary Guidelines is expected to be released within the next two weeks. In the Make America Healthy Again Commission report in May promoted whole foods, including proteins, fruits, vegetables and dairy. The report criticized ultra-processed foods, including items with added sugars and refined grains. USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services publish the dietary guidelines every five years.

Dry Bean Scene – In the Dry Bean Scene, an end-of-year research report evaluates the market trends in plant-based foods. In particular, the focus is on dry edible beans. Click here.

Consumers Can File for Beef Antitrust Settlement Funds – Consumers who had beef in the grocery cart between 2014 and 2019 may be eligible for a portion of an $87.5 million antitrust settlement. A lawsuit accused the major beef packers of conspiring to raise beef prices during that time. Tyson Foods and Cargill have agreed to the settlement. A federal court in Minnesota will rule on these settlements in May. Claims must be filed in this case by the end of June.

Beet Stock Values – American Crystal Sugar Company beet stock finally found a groove last week. According to Acres & Shares broker Jayson Menke, there were 20 sales totaling 496 shares for an average price of $3,855 per share. Shares were traded at $3,800 and $3,900 per share.

Hoeven Announces Major Boost for Rural Hospitals – North Dakota is set to receive a major boost for rural health care with more than $198 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2026. Senator John Hoeven says the funding comes through the One Big Beautiful Bill’s Rural Health Transformation Fund. “This nearly $200 million award is a tremendous step toward implementing North Dakota’s plan for creating a more accessible and robust health care system for our rural communities,” Hoeven said. “With nearly $500 million expected to be awarded to the state over the next five years, these funds will help address staffing needs over the long term, open up new care opportunities for local residents and improve efficiency to reduce providers’ costs.” The funding will support workforce recruitment, chronic disease prevention, and expanded use of telehealth across rural North Dakota.

Special Session Scheduled – North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has ordered a three-day special session beginning January 21. The Legislature is tasked with appropriating the $199 million Rural Health Transformation Program. The funds were part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to strengthen rural health care.

Minnesota’s Paid Family Leave Law is Now in Place – Eligible workers get up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave and 12 weeks of paid family leave with a cap between the two programs of five months per year. While there has been outreach about the program over the past few years, agricultural lobbyist Bruce Kleven says questions remain. “I still think there are a lot of folks who either haven’t heard about it or don’t think it applies to them because they’re a farm or they’re small,” said Kleven. “The takeaway here is that it does apply to them; we don’t have any exemptions for small businesses or ag, unfortunately.” The law applies to all employees, whether full-time, part-time or H-2A. The employees cannot lose their jobs if they take paid leave. “I don’t know where you’re going to get the replacement worker from out in rural Minnesota for those three months but assuming you get someone to fill that spot, when the three months are open for taking care of a newborn you have to let the employee come back and their job needs to be waiting for them in the same capacity or similar as though they never left.”

Thousands File Applications for Paid Leave – Minnesota’s paid medical leave and family leave program began January 1 and nearly 12,000 applications have already been filed with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said that shows how motivated people are to engage in this new program.

Reaching Out Key as Farm Stress Builds – Rural mental health challenges are drawing increased attention. Rural Mental Health Specialist Monica McConkey says the pressures are stacking up for many producers across the region. “I think it’s a combination of several factors coming together. Of course, our commodity prices play a big role in that, and we’ve had some weather impacts for some of the farmers in the region,” McConkey said. “It’s a compounding, kind of a perfect storm actually, for a lot of stress and anxiety and depression to hit and we have the time of year, the dark cold days certainly don’t help either.” McConkey says awareness around mental health in agriculture has improved, but she urges people to watch closely for warning signs and to keep reaching out. “One of the biggest signs is withdrawal and isolation. If people are just not reaching out in the way they used to, that’s an absolute warning sign,” she said. “If someone is dealing with feelings of hopelessness, the worst thing to do is hold it in and keep it inside of yourself. Reach out to someone, and if that first contact isn’t productive, don’t give up. Keep looking until you find somebody that does understand you.” Click here to listen to the full interview.

Legal Battle Continues for Syngenta, Corteva Loyalty Programs – The White House and 12 states, including Minnesota, have asked the federal court to schedule a trial date for a lawsuit against Syngenta Crop Protection and Corteva. This lawsuit was first filed three years ago. It claims Syngenta and Corteva used a loyalty program to block the sale of generic pesticides. The Trump Administration is seeking an October timeline for a trial.

Form-A-Feed Expands – Form-A-Feed has acquired Sioux Nation Ag Center. Sioux Nation Ag Center is a multispecies animal health company with eight locations in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.

Walz Will Not Seek a Third Term – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is not seeking reelection. Walz indicated in September that he would seek an unprecedented third term, but allegations of Medicare and daycare fraud have been a constant drumbeat in recent weeks. Walz released a statement, saying fraud cannot be tolerated, but said President Trump and his allies are opportunists who are willing to hurt Minnesotans to score political points. After consulting with his family over the holidays, Walz said he “decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”

AdFarm Appoints Palutis VP of Growth and Revenue – AdFarm has added Kari Palutis to its team as its vice president of growth and revenue. Most recently, Palutis was the chief client officer at Rooster. Previously, Palutis was with HLK, The Sandbox Agency, Nortek Global HVAC and Osborn Barr.

BASF Has New Canola Market Manager On Board – Albre Brown is the new canola market manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions. In this role, Brown will oversee strategy, positioning and go-to-market execution of the U.S. InVigor hybrid canola portfolio. For the past three-and-a-half years, Brown has been a technical marketing manager for BASF Crop Protection.

Dr. Miller Named SD State Veterinarian – South Dakota has a new state veterinarian and executive secretary for the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. Dr. Mendel Miller has been the assistant state veterinarian since 2009. Before that, Miller had a veterinary practice in Canton, South Dakota. Former State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson left in November to take a teaching role at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

SD Corn Comments – In this edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, This Week in Agribusiness host Mike Pearson invites you to the 40th South Dakota Annual Corn Conference. Pearson is emceeing the big event January 17. Click here. 

Hermanson Joins NDWC Staff – The North Dakota Wheat Commission has expanded its team with Haley Hermanson as its new communications and marketing specialist. Most recently, Hermanson was a marketing specialist with OnSharp in Fargo. Before that, she had a similar role at Cornerstone Banks.